The UK is an attractive destination for higher study and a huge number of international students want to study in the country. The higher education courses in Britain include diploma, certificate, undergraduate, and postgraduate courses. The undergraduate courses include a bachelor’s degree for 3-4 years. On the other hand, the postgraduate courses for a master’s degree are for 1-2 years duration. Also, there are the diploma or certificate courses for 5 years. You need to get a student visa in case you plan to study in the UK. Let’s know the UK study visa process in this article.
What Is The Best Time To Apply For The Visa?
The best time to apply for the visa is six months before the date the course begins. This is chiefly for students who live outside the UK. Nowadays, the authorities process the visa application in three weeks. Submit your visa application three months before the start of the course in case you live in the country. If you are already having a student visa, submit the visa application again within twenty-eight days of the visa expiry date.
Cost Of The Student Visa
You certainly need to pay a fee for the visa. There are charges for studying in the UK that you need to pay. The details of the cost of the visa are provided in the section below.
1. Course Fee
Paying a course fee is a part of the UK study visa process. Students should be able to pay the course fee. An academic year in the UK may last for nine months duration. To enumerate, the CAS document or the Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies will include the amount you need to pay for the course. However, there are different conditions for students who have been living in the country for one year and already have a visa. They don’t need to certify their financial resources to apply for a visa.
2. Financial Resources
Apart from the course fee, you need to prove that you have money to support yourself. If you want to study in London, you need to have financial resources for nine months. This amount can be up to 1,334 pounds per month. In case you want to study in some other place than London, you should have 1,023 pounds each month for nine months.
3. Boarding Fees
Students who are studying in a boarding school should have money for the boarding fees. The amount will be stated in the CAS certificate. Also, you have to submit proof of a loan in case you are applying for a course and have taken a loan to fund your education. In case a sponsor funds you, you need to submit documents certifying the sponsorship.
Documents You Need For A UK Student Visa
You should have essential documents for applying for a UK student visa. It includes a passport and documents that certify the qualifications stated in the CAS certificate.
1. English Knowledge Certificate
The UK study visa process includes submitting documents that certify that you know English. Submit translated documents in case you have a document that is in a language other than English. Apart from this, you also need to have the original document.
2. Documents That Certify Your Financial Resources
Students should submit documents that prove their financial condition and that they have enough money. It may include bank statements and letters, loan documents, and sponsorship documents. In addition, you should also submit a consent letter from your sponsor.
3. Documents That Certify Your Relationship With Your Parents
Also, there is a need to have a document that certifies your parent’s or guardian’s name and relationship with you. You may submit a birth certificate for this purpose. The visa also accepts the adoption certificate to prove the relationship of an adopted student with their guardians. Parent’s consent is needed in case they fund your education. Students who are less than 18 years of age need to certify their parent’s consent.
4. Other Documents
Submit the Tuberculosis test report if you want to get a UK student visa and you are from a country that needs TB testing. Also, you need to submit the ATAS certificate in case you are applying for a postgraduate study course at a university. In other words, it is called the Academic Technology Approval Scheme certificate. You don’t need to submit this document in case you want a visa for an undergraduate course.
Process Of Applying For The Visa
According to the UK British Council, you need to follow a certain procedure to apply for a student visa. The steps are explained as follows.
1. Submit Course Application At A University
Submitting the course application is an important part of the UK study visa process. Firstly, you need to apply for a study course at a university or multiple educational institutions. Secondly, you should obtain an unconditional offer from a university. Thirdly, you have to accept the offer that you get. Lastly, you will receive a CAS from the university. This is a certificate that certifies that you have accepted the offer of a study or course at the university.
2. Submit The Visa Application And Pay The Fees
Your visa application begins as soon as you get the CAS certificate. This is the time when you apply for a visa. Significantly, you should submit your visa application to the authorities 6 months before your university starts the course. You also need to pay fees along with your application. This may be about 363 pounds in UK currency. Also, you should be having your passport with you.
3. Certifying Identity For EU Students
Students who are a citizen of any of the European nation countries or EU can prove their identity on the app. The best app for EU student’s identity verification is the UK Immigration app for proving identity. Use the UK Immigration ID Check application on your phone.
4. Paying The Charges For Accessing Health Services
There are some charges for applying for a UK visa. This includes the Immigration Health Surcharge. It will help you get treatment in case you fall sick. Additionally, it may help you access medical facilities while you are studying. Certainly, there is about a twenty-five percent discount. And it may reduce the cost of health services for students to four hundred seventy pounds. To clarify, students who belong to EU countries are eligible to get a refund of this surcharge. Check online if you qualify for a refund of the health surcharge.
5. Submit Documents Of English Language Proficiency
Next, provide proof that you know the English language well if you want to study in UK. Check the type of proof your university needs to certify your English knowledge. Submit the required proof.
6. Complete The Visa Application Process
First, check which documents are needed for the student visa and submit them. In addition, you can seek advice and help from your university for the visa application. Another key point is that you must check if the university has an immigration or visa advisory service. Take their help for getting a visa. Consult a visa advisor and complete the UK study visa process. Most importantly, make sure that the authorities approve your visa when you join a university for a course.
Conclusion
We have explained the process of getting a student visa for a study in UK in detail in this article. Make sure that you get full information about the visa application process before you apply for the visa. Arrange the necessary documents you need with the application. In case you have doubts or queries, you can consult visa advisory services that help you with the visa application process.
