What is a Student Visa?
A Student Visa allows foreign nationals to enter the UK for the purposes of study to take advantage of the internationally recognized educational institutions in the UK. The Visa can be granted for a short period of time (to attend an English language recourse for example), or longer (such as to attend a 3 year degree course).

How Long Can I Stay?
Normally the visa is granted to duration of the enrolled course and can be extended subject to satisfactory progress on the course. If you successfully complete a degree course you may be entitled to remain in the UK under the Work Permit Scheme or the Highly Skilled Migrants Program.

Can I Work?
You can as a Student take up part-time or holiday work whilst you are in the UK, as long as you do not:

Work for more than 20 hours a week during term time unless your placement is part of your studies, has been agreed with your educational institution and leads to a degree or qualification awarded by a nationally recognized examining body

Do business, be self-employed or provide services as a professional sportsperson or entertainer, or Work full-time in a permanent job.

If you are coming to the UK as a student for six months or less, you must request the Entry Clearance Officer (or the Immigration Officer if you do not need an entry clearance) for permission to work.

Studying in the United Kingdom
Since 1 September 2007 all students need a student entry clearance to enter the United Kingdom to study, except those on a course of study of six months or less who may qualify for entry under the new category of student visitor.

Can I come to the United Kingdom to study?
This page explains how you can come to the United Kingdom to study. You can come as a:






Student
If you are coming to the United Kingdom as a student, before you come here you will need to have been accepted onto a course of study by an organization that is on the register of education and training providers.
The course should be at one of the following:







And you need to be undertaking one of these







You must also:
¡ student; or
¡ student visitor if you are undertaking a short course of study up to six months' long within the period of your permission to stay.
¡ a publicly funded institution of further or higher education (a university) with maintained records of enrolment and attendance which are readily available to us;
¡ a genuine private education institution; or
¡ an independent fee-paying school;
¡ a recognized full-time degree course;
¡ a course run during the week that involves at least 15 hours of organized daytime study a week; or
¡ a full-time course of study at an independent fee paying school.
¡ be registered with the United Kingdom awarding body if you are studying externally for a degree at a private education institution; and
¡ be able to pay for your course and support and accommodate yourself and any dependants without working or help from public funds and
¡ Plan to leave the United Kingdom when you complete your studies.