Step by Step UK visa guide

The student visa, previously known as a Tier 4 visa, refers to the immigration permission granted to international students who want to pursue full-time, part-time or long-term higher education study in the UK. Students must be 18 years old or over.

There are three student visa types in the UK

• Student visa – ideal for individuals aged 18 and above pursuing full-time degree-level education in the UK.
• Child student visa (also Tier 4) – tailored for individuals aged 4 to 17 seeking education in the UK.
• Short-term study visa – designed for short courses, such as language programmes, with flexibility in course types. Typically granted for 6 months (or 11 months for English language courses). Suited for those not planning an extended stay.

This guide covers the steps and general information about applying for a UK student visa.

Kindly note that all guidelines are updated regularly on the student visa government web page.