With nearly half a million international students enrolling each year, the United Kingdom continues to be a favourite university destination for students from all over the globe. And it is easy to see why, with 90 of the UK’s universities ranked in the prestigious QS World Rankings.
The United Kingdom comprises the nations of England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. International students are attracted to studying in the UK by the country’s multicultural cities and welcoming atmosphere for immigrants. Additionally, the United Kingdom is home to the world’s sixth-largest economy and the country is a centre for world-leading firms in a variety of industries including tech, financial services, trade, manufacturing and climate studies.
Studying in the United Kingdom also gives you the chance to enjoy the country’s centuries-old history and natural beauty, as well as explore the tourist favourite cities of Europe while living in an English-speaking cosmopolitan region. International students also enjoy the travel-friendly location of the United Kingdom, which is located within an 8-to-12 hour flight distance of nearly every one of the world’s major regions and cities.
Depending on the nature of your course and length of planned stay in the country, international students typically receive one of two visa types from the UK government. These are:
All around the world, UK embassies and consulates require a slightly different set of documents from international students depending on your home country, and you should get in touch with your nearest UK embassy for more details.
We recommend that you prepare multiple copies as well as originals of the following documents because they are required for all student visa applications to UK:
Enrollment in the following course types enables international students to be eligible for a UK student visa:
The earliest that international students can apply for a UK student visa is 6 months before your course in the UK begins. You can expect to receive your UK student visa about three weeks after your application. The process to apply for a UK student visa involves filling out an online application form on the UK student visa website, completing the visa payment, and scheduling an interview at your nearest United Kingdom embassy or consulate.
In most countries worldwide, international students are required to pay £363 as the UK student visa application fee. You may also need to pay a visa processing and biometrics fee to your local UK visa processing centre. It will cost £490 to extend a UK student visa if you are already living or staying in the UK. You will also need to pay a healthcare charge, depending on your planned city of residence in the UK. International students must also be aware that only Master’s or PhD-level international students can take a dependent such as spouse or child into the UK with them.
From January of 2024, international students will no longer be able to bring dependants with them on their student visa. There is an exception to this rule if you are enrolled or enrolling on a postgraduate research programme. This means that any dependants will have to apply for their own visa.
Following the 2016 European Union referendum, the UK revised it’s rules for work and student visas, in what came to be known as the new points-based immigration system. At this point, the UK Student Visa replaced what was previously known as the Tier 4 Student Visa. Much of the changes at this time focused on visas for skilled and non-skilled workers, whilst freedom of movement from the European Union ended, meaning that people moving to the UK from EU nations were now required to apply for a suitable visa.
Current UK student visa rules allow you to work up to 20 hours per week and full-time during academic breaks in the country as an international student. Your university must be listed on the UKBA Sponsor list as well as the ‘recognised bodies’ list. Many international students use online platforms such as to secure internships and part-time employment at world-leading firms in Manchester, London and other major cities in the UK.
The cosmopolitan cities, cultural riches, world-leading quality of education and exciting cities all over the UK make studying in the country an unforgettable experience for international students. We suggest that you conduct further research to shortlist your ideal British universities and identify any additional admission requirements for international students at your preferred universities. All the best for your applications!
For further information about student visas, see our International Student Visas article.
Organisational and Business Psychology MSc, PG Dip
University of Liverpool Online Programmes United Kingdom
Find out moreBanking Innovation and Risk Analytics MSc
The University of Edinburgh Business School United Kingdom
Find out moreInternational Finance Law PG Dip
Centre for Commercial Law Studies, Queen Mary University of London United Kingdom
Find out moreActing (Screen & Digital) BA (Hons)
The Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts (LIPA) United Kingdom
Find out moreSign up to av´óƽ̨.com, the home of quality study abroad advice.
Sign up nowThe latest articles from study abroad providers and av´óƽ̨.com to hep you on your study abroad journey.
See more articles