UK Student Visa Requirements

UK Study Visa Requirements

The UK is one of the most popular destinations for international students. However, getting a student visa to study in the UK can be quite challenging and time-consuming.

To make it easier for Bangladeshi students who wish to pursue higher education in the UK, new provisions will come into effect in 2023. These include faster processing times and streamlined application processes as well as an increased number of routes available for Bangladeshi students wanting to study in Great Britain.
This article explores all the new UK Study Visa requirements in 2023 that you must know about, to receive a UK Student Visa outline.

Top 7 UK Study Visa Requirements

To study in the UK and be a foreign national you must be above 16 years of age. You are also required to have an offer from a reputed institution or a licenced student sponsor. Having a strong financial plan or sponsor to fund your education and living expenses is also important.

The United Kingdom is one of the leading countries attracting students from all across the globe. Despite the pandemic, there has been a good rate of visa approval in the UK, especially for South Asian Students.

These are the main UK visa requirements for a UK student visa application in 2023:

UK Student Route Visa Requirements
General requirements	· a valid passport (original) · a passport-sized photograph meeting UKVI requirements · Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS)
English Language proficiency for visa (University requirements could be higher)	UG course: you must be proficient in at least CEFR level B2 (IELTS 5.5) PG course: at least CEFR level B1 (IELTS 6.0) Below degree level: one of the Secure English Language Tests (SELT) certificates
Financial requirements	You must prove funds for one of the following: First-year tuition fees; OR Complete tuition fee for courses less than one year; OR Fee for next academic year, or outstanding fees (if you are extending your visa for further studies) For living costs: Have at least £1,023 per month for up to 9 months
Evidence of qualifications	Current certificates or official transcripts with Your name, the name of the institution, the course title, and the date awarded.
English Translations	All documents should be officially translated into English A fully certified translation includes: Original documents Confirmation of accuracy in translation Date of translation Full name and signature of the translator The translator or translation company’s contact details

Offer from an Educational Institution

You must have an offer from a licensed student sponsor. As proof, the educational institution will give you the Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS).

You must have the CAS before you apply for a UK Student Visa. Moreover, you have to apply for the student visa within six months of receiving the CAS.

There are various courses that you can select from :

A full-time course that will qualify you for a degree level or higher (RQF level 6.7 or 8)
A full-time course that will qualify you for a degree level or more (RQF level 6.7 or 8)
A full-time course that will qualify you for a below degree level (RQF level 3.4 or 5)
An English language course at level B2 or morein the CEFR (Common European Framework of Reference for Languages) scale
An approved foundation programme that is sponsored for dentists and postgraduate doctors

What is a CEFR?
CEFR is also known as the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages: Learning, Teaching, and Assessment. Its main aim is to provide a structural method of learning, teaching, and assessing that applies to Europe’s languages.

Here is the CEFR table for English Qualifications:
Language Levels

	CEFR	IELTS	TOLES
Elementary	A1	3.0	Foundation, Level 1
Pre-intermediate	A2	3.5 – 4.0	Foundation, Level 1
Intermediate	B1	4.5 – 5.0	Higher, Level 2
Upper mediate	B2	5.5 – 6.0	Higher, Level 2
Advanced	C1	6.5 – 7.0	Advanced, Level 3
Proficiency	C2	7.5+	Advanced, Level 3

Proficiency in the English Language

You must prove that you are fluent in the English language. The level is measured on the CEFR (Common European Framework of Reference for Languages) scale.

As proof, you must pass the Secure English Language Test (SELT).

Level of study	English skill level (CEFR)
Below degree level	B1
Degree level or above	B2

Note: If you have applied for a course of degree level or more, then:

The provider can evaluate your English language skills.
You might have to take a different test. But, still, the test results have to be equivalent to the B2 level.

Eligibility criteria

The eligibility criteria for the UK student visa requirements are:
The applicant must be of 16 years of age or more
The candidate must have enough funds to pay the course fee. They must also be able to support themselves during their stay
The applicant must have an offer from an approved educational institution
The candidate must be at a certain level in the English language test results

Documents Needed
The following documents are needed for the student visa are:
- Valid passport
- National Identification Document (NID)
- Visa application form
- Passport-sized recent photograph
- Proof that you have paid the visa fee/ visa application fee
- Proof of funds/financial evidence
- Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS)
- Valid Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) certificate (If needed)
- Medical test results
- Payment of the Immigration Healthcare Surcharge (IHS)
- Written agreement from financial sponsor (in case of sponsorship)
- Police clearance certificate
- COVID-19 vaccine certificate

If you are under 18 years of age, some additional documents are needed. These are:

Proof of consent from parents or legal guardian
Evidence of relationship with parents or legal guardian
Copy of birth certificate or any government document that displays the names of parents

Note: The offer letter for your study programme will mention whether the programme requires an ATAS certificate.

5.Medical Test

The main medical examination that you need to undergo is for tuberculosis. It is required if you intend to stay in the UK for more than six months. The test is a must for visa applicants from the specified list of countries.

For this examination, you have to take a chest x-ray test. But, if the results are uncertain, then you have to provide a sputum sample.

Only approved clinicians can perform the tests.

If the results are negative for tuberculosis, you will get a certificate. The certificate will have validity for six months from the date of the test.

Proof of funds

The sufficient funds required to support your living expenses and pay the UK’s tuition fees.

In the Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS), the funds required are:

£1,015 per month as living costs if your course is outside London
£1,265per month if your course is in London
£2,530for the course in London (if you are on the Doctorate Extension Scheme)
£2,030for the course outside London (if you are on the Doctorate Extension Scheme)

Note: Proof of funds is not required if:

You had a valid visa previously for the UK
The visa must have been for a minimum of 12 months
Your country is listed under the ‘differential evidence requirement’
Your application states you as a student union sabbatical officer

Immigration Healthcare Surcharge (IHS)

You must pay the Immigration Healthcare Surcharge (IHS). It is mainly for those who want to stay in the UK for more than six months. The amount of money that you have to pay depends. It is dependent on the amount of time you live in the UK.

If you are granted leave for less than six months, you need to pay half the annual amount. If you are granted leave for more than six months, you need to pay the full yearly amount.

You can use the NHS (National Health Service) after you have paid the IHS. But, you will still have to pay for dental treatments, prescriptions, assisted conception, eye tests, and so on.

Types of Student Visas in 2023

Study Visa Type	Who is eligible?	When to apply?	When to arrive in the UK?
Student Visa It replaced the Tier 4 (General) student visa	For students aged 16 or above who are offered a course at a UK University or college Allows you to stay as per your course length Processing time: approx. 4 weeks	2 months before the course starts	1 week before if your course lasts 6 months or fewer Up to 1 month before if your course lasts more than 6 months
Child Student Visa It replaced the Tier 4 (Child) student visa	Students between 4 and 17 Processing time: approx. 4 weeks	2 months before the start of your course	Up to 1 week before if your course lasts 6 months or fewer Up to 1 month before if your course lasts more than 6 months
Short-term Study Visa	Students in a short-term course (for 6 to 11 months) Processing time: approx. 4 weeks	2 months	Depends on travel dates

New immigration rules regarding the UK student visa:

To make things easier for international students, the UK government has made some changes. The new rules are:

From 1 January 2022, free movement has ended

5 October 2020, brought the ‘new points-based system ‘ Student route into force. There would be no limit on the number of international students who can come to the UK under the route.

Priority will be given to highly skilled individuals, such as those with scientific, academic and technology-related qualifications.

There are changes in the new post-study work (PSW) visa. The changes are:

It will enable the students to work and live in the UK for 3 years after completing a PhD.
They can stay and work for 2 years after completion of the Master’s degree.
The government can extend the PSW limit for Master’s degree holders from 2 years to 4 years.

The new rules are aimed at increasing the total number of international students choosing to study in the UK higher education system each year to 600,000 by 2030.

British Council highlighted that the change would positively impact the number of Indian students choosing the UK as a higher education destination.

All migrants looking to enter the UK to work or study will need to apply for permission in advance.

How to Apply for a UK Student Visa Step-by-Step?

To obtain a UK Student Visa, you are needed to follow a step-by-step process. Usually, UK student visas are processed within a time span of four weeks from the application lodged.

Step 1: Check your eligibility

You provide a “confirmation of acceptance for studies”(CAS). Also, you need to prove your financial status, i.e., your maintenance or funds for covering your course fees, tuition fees, and living costs.

Step 2: Get your documents ready

Submission of all required documents is mandatory. Hence, be sure while gathering all documents.

Step 3: Apply for the visa online

Get registered on the official UK Visa website and create an account. Then, complete your online application form and take a print for signing on them. Make use of the online appointment calendar and fix an appointment at the visa centre.

Step 4: Fee Payment

You can make your payments in four ways, i.e., through Payment at Standard Chartered Bank, Demand draft from a nationalized or foreign bank or payment at the visa application centre, or by paying online.

Step 5: Visiting the Visa Application Center

Do not fail to visit the visa application center on your appointment date. Submit your application now by submitting the required documents, photographs, and fingerprints.