To study in the UK, you will need a Student visa (previously known as the Tier 4 visa). The UK is a popular choice for international students who want to further their education and studies at one of the world’s best universities.
Who can apply for a UK Student visa?
The UK Student visa is available for students 16 years and over who wish to study at a university or college and those under 18 years who want to attend an independent school full-time.
Who is eligible for a UK Student visa?
The Student visa has replaced the Tier 4 (General) student visa. You will now need at least 70 points to be eligible for this visa.
Points are awarded for the following:
- You have been offered a place to study at an approved UK university or college (50 points)
- You are able to financially support yourself and pay for your studies for the duration of your visa (10 points)
- You meet the English language requirements (10 points) – Australians are exempt from doing the English language tests
- Have consent from your parents if you’re 16 or 17
If you are applying from outside the UK, you must apply six months before your course starts.
What are the courses you can study?
- A full-time course that leads to a qualification that’s below degree level (RQF level 3, 4 or 5) with at least 15 hours a week of organised daytime study
- A full-time course leading to a qualification that’s degree level or above (RQF level 6, 7 or 8)
- A full-time course at degree level or above (RQF level 6,7 or 8) that’s equivalent to a UK higher education course and is being delivered as part of a longer course overseas
- A part-time course leading to a qualification that’s above degree level (RQF level 7 or above)
- A recognised foundation programme for postgraduate doctors or dentists
- An English language course at level B2 or above in the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages
How long can I stay in the UK on a UK Student visa?
Your length of stay depends on your course and the courses you have completed. If you’re studying at a degree level, you can stay in the UK for up to five years. If your course is below degree level, you will be allowed to stay up to two years.
The new Graduate route: post-study work visa
From 1 July 2021, a new Graduate route will be open for applications. To qualify for this route, you must have completed an eligible course at a UK higher education institution and have a track record of compliance with the government’s immigration requirements.
Students on the Graduate route can work or look for work after their studies for a maximum period of two years, or three years for Doctoral students.
This graduate route will be unsponsored, so applicants do not need a job offeror to meet any minimum salary requirements to apply.
There will also be no caps on numbers. You will be allowed to work flexibly and switch jobs and develop your career.
The route does not count towards settlement – however, graduates will be able to apply to other routes at the end of their two- to three-year stay, for example, the Skilled Worker route.
Child Student visa
If you are under 18 and want to study at a UK independent school, you must apply for this visa. This visa has replaced the Tier 4 (Child) student visa.
To be eligible, you must:
- Have an unconditional place on a course
- Have the consent of your parent or guardian
- Have enough money to cover your course fees and living costs
You must apply for the UK student visa six months before your course starts. You can arrive in the UK up to one month before your course begins.
How long can you stay on a Child Student visa?
Your length of stay depends on your age when you apply and the length of your course.
If you are under 16, you can stay the length of your course (up to six years) with an additional four months afterwards. If you are 16 or 17 years of age, you can stay the length of your course (up to three years) with an additional four months afterwards.
What are the financial requirements of a Student visa?
Australians do not need to prove that they meet the financial requirements to study in the UK.
Extend your Student visa
It is possible to extend your visa to continue your course or study a new course.
To be eligible, you must:
- Be in the UK on a Student visa
- Have a CAS that shows that you have an unconditional offer of a place on a course with a licensed student sponsor
- Show that your studies meet the higher academic requirement (are at a higher academic level than your current course)
The higher academic requirement
To apply for an extension, you’ll need to show your studies will be at a higher academic level than your current course.
Your new course must be one of the following:
- At the same level and related to your previous course or career aspirations – it must be degree level or above at a Higher Education Provider (HEP)
- Intercalated to a medicine, dentistry or medical science course you started studying under your Student visa
The earliest you can apply is three months before your course starts and you must apply before your current visa expires.
What is a Short-term study visa?
A Short-term study visa allows you to move to the UK study English for six to 11 months.
You can apply for this visa if:
- You have been accepted to study an English language course for 11 months or less
- You will be studying at an accredited institution
- You have enough money to support yourself without relying on public funds
- You have sufficient funds to leave the UK once your course is completed
If you are under 18, you will need consent from your parent or guardian and have made arrangements for your travel and accommodation in the UK.