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Depending on your nationality, you may need a visa to study in the UK. You can study in the UK without a student visa if you are a national of a country in the European Economic Area (EEA) or Switzerland n you are a British overseas territories citizen, unless you are from one of the sovereign base areas in Cyprus n you are a Commonwealth citizen with permission to enter or stay in the UK because at least one of your grandparents was born here and you have no conditions or time limit attached to your stay. If you do not fall under one of these categories, you will need a visa. For more information, please visit www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/visasimmigration/visiting/student/visa/
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Applying for a visa can take time, so it’s important to apply well in advance of when you intend to travel (no more than three months before the start of your course and no later than six months after your Confirmation of Studies (CAS) was assigned). You can find out about visa processing times in your country here www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/visasimmigration/general-info/processing-times . Please note: new measures have been introduced for applicants wanting to enter the UK for more than six months. Applicants from 67 countries with a high incidence of tuberculosis, will now need to be screened at an approved clinic before they are granted a visa for the UK. You will need to submit the tuberculosis certificate with your immigration application. The UK’s points-based visa system is designed to be objective and transparent. There are a number of different visas you can apply for and you need to ensure you apply for the correct one. The following may be appropriate for you, depending on your circumstances: Tier 4 (General) Student visa and Student Visitor visa Tier 5 (Temporary Worker) visa Please note: all international students are advised to go to www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/visas-immigration/studying/adult-students/apply-outside-uk/ and read all the information on applying for a visa from overseas before completing any visa application forms. What is an ATAS certificate? An Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) Clearance Certificate must be obtained for some postgraduate students who need entry clearance to study in the UK. It will affect students who are applying for leave to take one of the following: Undergraduate or postgraduate studies leading to a doctorate or master’s degree by research in certain subjects listed in Appendix 6, paragraph 1 of the Immigration Rules n undergraduate or postgraduate studies leading to a taught master’s degree or other postgraduate qualification in certain designated subjects which may be of weapons of mass destruction Proliferation concern listed in Appendix 6, paragraph 1 of the Immigration Rules n study or research in the UK of longer than six months, which is part of an overseas postgraduate level course in any subject listed in Appendix 6, paragraph 1 of the Immigration Rules. Applications for an ATAS Clearance Certificate must be made online on the Foreign and Commonwealth Office website at www.gov.uk/academictechnology-approval-scheme This link also contains information about the scheme and the list of designated subjects. If you need an ATAS certificate and you don’t have one, your entry clearance application will be refused. A Tier 4 (General) student will need to apply for a new ATAS if: n you change your course n the area of research/modules change for the course you originally applied to n you move to another institution; or n your visa was issued on or after 30 November 2007, and you need further permission to stay for writing up a thesis. If you are applying to study a course which required an ATAS certificate, you must provide: a print-out of your ATAS clearance certificate.
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A confirmation of acceptance for studies (CAS) is an electronic reference number which is issued by the institution you wish to study at. The CAS is valid for six months from the date it was issued by the institution. You should only submit an immigration application once you are sure you can also include all the documents necessary to meet the Tier 4 requirements (but not more than three months before the course’s start date).
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The fee for your student visa application depends on whether you are applying from inside or outside the UK (and, if you are inside the UK, whether you are applying by post or in person). Visa fees from overseas are currently £298 for all applicants. For more information, please visit www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/studyingintheuk/adult-students/visa-fees
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With a Tier 4 visa, you can stay in the UK for the full length of your course, and for some time (depending on the type and length of your course) after your course finishes.