The Student Route visa (formerly known as the Tier 4 General Student visa) is the UK’s primary visa for international students aged 16 and over who want to study a further or higher education course at a licensed student sponsor institution in the UK. It replaced the Tier 4 system in October 2020 as part of the UK’s points-based immigration framework.
The visa allows you to live in the UK for the duration of your course, work part-time during your studies, and — if you complete an eligible qualification — apply for the Graduate Route visa to stay and work after graduation.
You can apply for a Student Route visa if you meet these requirements:
Age: You must be 16 or over. If you are 16 or 17, you can only apply for courses at further education level or above.
CAS from a licensed sponsor: You must have received a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) from a UK education provider that holds a Student Sponsor Licence. You must apply within 6 months of receiving your CAS.
English language: You must prove your English language ability at the level required by your education provider. For degree-level courses, you generally need at least CEFR B2 level (equivalent to IELTS 5.5–6.5 depending on the institution). Nationals of certain English-speaking countries are exempt. Your CAS will confirm whether you meet the English requirement.
Financial capacity: You must have enough money to pay your course fees (or at least the amount shown on your CAS as unpaid) and cover your living costs for up to 9 months.
Genuine student: You may be interviewed to confirm that you are a genuine student intending to study in the UK.
Tuberculosis (TB) test: If you are from a country where TB testing is required (including Nepal, India, Sri Lanka, Philippines), you must provide a TB test certificate from an approved clinic before applying. (Source: gov.uk — Tuberculosis tests for visa applicants)
A Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) is an electronic document — specifically, a unique reference number — issued by your UK education provider once they have offered you a place and you have accepted the offer. It is not a physical document; it is a digital record in the Home Office’s Sponsorship Management System.
Your CAS contains key information that feeds directly into your visa application, including your course details (title, level, duration, start and end dates), the tuition fees for your first year, any fees already paid, and confirmation that you meet the English language requirement.
How to get your CAS:
You must prove you can cover both your tuition and living costs for your first year of study (or, if the course is shorter than 9 months, for the full course duration).
| Category | Amount |
|---|---|
| Tuition fees (first year) | Amount shown as unpaid on your CAS |
| Living costs — studying in London | £1,529 per month (up to 9 months = £13,761 max) |
| Living costs — studying outside London | £1,171 per month (up to 9 months = £10,539 max) |
Source: gov.uk — Student visa: Money you need (gov.uk/student-visa/money), current as of July 2026.
Key rules for financial evidence:
| Application Type | Fee |
|---|---|
| Apply from outside the UK | £719 |
| Extend or switch within the UK | £558 |
| Immigration Health Surcharge (per year) | £776 |
Source: gov.uk — Visa fees (gov.uk/student-visa), April 2026 fee schedule.
Total upfront costs example (3-year degree in London):
The Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) is a mandatory fee that gives you access to the UK’s National Health Service (NHS) on broadly the same basis as a permanent UK resident for the duration of your visa. Once you have paid the IHS, you do not need to pay for NHS treatment (GP visits, hospital treatment, prescriptions in Scotland and Wales; prescriptions in England have a small separate charge).
The student rate for the IHS is £776 per year. The surcharge is paid upfront for the entire duration of your visa when you submit your application. If your visa duration includes a period of more than 6 months beyond a full year, you pay for an additional full year; if it is 6 months or less, you pay for an additional half year.
Source: gov.uk — Pay for UK healthcare as part of your immigration application (gov.uk/healthcare-immigration-application/how-much-pay), April 2026.
| Document | Details |
|---|---|
| Valid passport or travel document | Must have at least one blank page for the visa vignette |
| CAS reference number | Provided by your education institution |
| Financial evidence | Bank statements showing 28-day fund holding (unless differentially exempted) |
| Academic qualifications | Certificates/transcripts referenced in your CAS |
| English language evidence | IELTS/PTE/TOEFL score or nationality-based exemption (as confirmed on CAS) |
| TB test certificate | Required for applicants from listed countries (Nepal, India, Sri Lanka, Philippines, etc.) |
| ATAS certificate | Required for certain postgraduate science/technology courses |
| Parental/guardian consent | Required if applicant is under 18 |
| Passport-sized photographs | As per UKVI photo requirements |
| Relationship evidence | If a parent is providing funds: birth certificate + consent letter |
Source: gov.uk — Student visa: Documents you’ll need to apply (gov.uk/student-visa/documents-you-must-provide).
Step 1: Secure your CAS. Apply to a UK institution with a Student Sponsor Licence. Accept your offer, pay any deposit, and receive your CAS reference number.
Step 2: Check the earliest application date. You can apply up to 6 months before your course starts (if applying from outside the UK). You must apply within 6 months of receiving your CAS.
Step 3: Complete the online application. Visit gov.uk/student-visa and fill out the online form. You will be asked about your personal details, travel history, CAS information, and financial situation.
Step 4: Pay the visa fee and IHS. Pay the £719 visa application fee and the IHS (£776 per year for the full duration) online during the application process.
Step 5: Book and attend your biometrics appointment. After submitting the online form, book an appointment at a visa application centre (VAC) in your country. At the appointment, you provide your fingerprints and a photograph, and submit your passport and supporting documents.
Step 6: Submit supporting documents. Upload or present your financial evidence, academic qualifications, English test results, TB certificate, and any other required documents.
Step 7: Wait for a decision. You will usually receive a decision within 3 weeks of your biometrics appointment. Priority (5 working days) and super-priority (next working day) services may be available at your VAC for an additional fee. (Source: gov.uk — Visa processing times)
Step 8: Collect your visa vignette. If approved, a 90-day visa vignette (sticker) is placed in your passport. This allows you to travel to the UK. Once in the UK, you collect your Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) within 10 days of arrival.
Standard processing takes approximately 3 weeks from the date of your biometrics appointment. However, processing times can be longer during peak periods (typically June–September for the autumn intake).
| Service | Timeframe | Additional Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Standard | ~3 weeks | Included in visa fee |
| Priority | ~5 working days | Varies by location (approximately £250–500) |
| Super Priority | Next working day | Varies by location (approximately £800–1,000) |
Source: gov.uk — Visa processing times: applications outside the UK (gov.uk/guidance/visa-processing-times-applications-outside-the-uk).
| Course Level | During Term | During Holidays |
|---|---|---|
| Degree level or above (full-time) | Up to 20 hours/week | Unlimited |
| Below degree level (full-time) | Up to 10 hours/week | Unlimited |
| Part-time courses | Not permitted | Not permitted |
Source: gov.uk — Student visa conditions (gov.uk/student-visa).
Restrictions: You cannot be self-employed, work as a professional sportsperson or entertainer, or fill a permanent full-time vacancy during term time. You can work in most other roles, including part-time employment, internships (if part of your course), and volunteering.
Graduate Route visa: If you successfully complete an eligible degree (bachelor’s, master’s, or PhD) at a UK institution with a track record of compliance, you can apply for the Graduate Route visa. This unsponsored visa allows you to stay and work (or look for work) in the UK for 2 years after a bachelor’s or master’s degree, or 3 years after a PhD. (Source: gov.uk — Graduate visa, gov.uk/graduate-visa)
Skilled Worker visa: If you secure a job offer from a licensed sponsor employer at the required skill and salary level, you can switch to the Skilled Worker visa. This visa can lead to settlement (indefinite leave to remain) after 5 years. (Source: gov.uk — Skilled Worker visa)
Further study: You can extend your Student Route visa to continue studying at the same or a different institution.
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The Student Route visa application fee is £719 from outside the UK. You must also pay the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) of £776 per year for the duration of your visa. For a 3-year degree, that totals approximately £3,047 in visa fees alone. (Source: gov.uk, April 2026 fee schedule)
You must show enough funds to cover unpaid tuition (per your CAS) plus living costs: £1,529 per month (up to 9 months) if studying in London, or £1,171 per month if outside London. Funds must have been held for at least 28 consecutive days. (Source: gov.uk — Student visa: Money you need)
Students on a full-time degree-level course can work up to 20 hours per week during term time and unlimited hours during holidays. Students on courses below degree level are limited to 10 hours per week during term. (Source: gov.uk — Student visa conditions)
Standard processing is approximately 3 weeks from your biometrics appointment. Priority processing (~5 working days) and super-priority (~next working day) are available at some visa application centres for additional fees. (Source: gov.uk — Visa processing times)
A Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) is an electronic reference number issued by your UK education provider once they offer you a place. It contains your course details, tuition fee information, and English language confirmation. You must apply for your visa within 6 months of receiving your CAS. (Source: gov.uk — Student visa: Your course)
Yes. Graduates of eligible UK courses can apply for the Graduate Route visa: 2 years for bachelor’s or master’s graduates, 3 years for PhD graduates. You can also switch to a Skilled Worker visa if you receive a qualifying job offer. (Source: gov.uk — Graduate visa)
Official Sources Referenced:
gov.uk — Student visa: gov.uk/student-visa
gov.uk — Financial evidence: gov.uk — Financial evidence guidance
gov.uk — IHS: gov.uk — Healthcare immigration application
gov.uk — Graduate visa: gov.uk/graduate-visa
gov.uk — Processing times: gov.uk — Visa processing times
