Studying in the UKStudying in the UK
Student visitors
According to the UK Border Agency, a student visitor can come to the United Kingdom for up to six months. If you are coming to the United Kingdom as a student visitor, you must have been accepted on a course of study that will be provided by an organisation which is:
- the holder of a sponsor licence for Tier 4 of the points- based system; or
- accredited by an accrediation body approved by the UK Border Agency; or
- an overseas higher education institution which offers only part of its programmes in the United Kingdom, holds its own national accreditation and offers programmes that are of an equivalent level to a United Kingdom degree.
You must also:
- leave the United Kingdom at the end of the visit you told us about;
- support and pay for accommodation for yourself and any dependants, without help from public funds; or
- make sure that you and your dependants will be supported and accommodated by relatives or friends, and not take employment; and
- be able to meet the cost of your return or onward journey.
You must not:
- take employment in the United Kingdom;
- engage in business, produce goods or provide services within the United Kingdom, including selling goods or services direct to members of the public;
- study at a government-funded school;
- be a child under the age of 18;
- undertake part-time or full-time vacation employment;
- undertake a work placement or internship (paid or unpaid) as part of your course of study; or
- extend your stay in the United Kingdom.
Child students
The child student visa is for people coming to or remaining in the United Kingdom to be educated between four and 17 years old. Children between four and 15 years old must be educated at independent fee-paying schools. If you are 16 and 17 years old, you can choose whether to apply as an adult or child student, depending on the type and level of course you want to study.
16 and 17 year old students applying to come for more than six months
You and your approved education provider should agree whether you need to apply for an adult or child student visa. If you will be studying a course below National Qualification Framework level 3, you must apply as a child student. If your course is at National Qualification Framework level 3 (or equivalent) or above and is longer than two years, we recommend you apply as an adult student. If you want to study for an English language qualification at Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) Level A2 or above, you must apply as an adult student.
Types of student visa
Child student
You can apply as a child student if you are between 4 and 17 years old. If you are between 4 and 15 years old, you must be coming to the United Kingdom to be educated at an independent fee-paying school.
Child visitor
You can apply as a child visitor if you are 17 years old or under and you want to come to the United Kingdom to do a course of study for up to six months. You will not be able to switch and apply for a child student visa while you are in the United Kingdom as a child visitor. If you want to apply for a child student visa, you must apply from the country you live in.
Adult student
You can apply as an adult student if you are coming to the United Kingdom for your post-16 education. You can apply as a student visitor if you are 18 years old or over, you want to come to the United Kingdom to do a course for up to six months, and you do not want to work while you are here.
Student visitor
You will not be able to switch and apply for an adult student visa while you are in the United Kingdom as a student visitor. If you want to apply for an adult student visa, you must apply from the country you live in.
Prospective student
You can apply as a prospective student if you want to come to the United Kingdom to help you decide which course to study or if you plan to start a course of study within six months. You will be able to switch and apply for an adult or child student visa while you are in the United Kingdom.
For further information about studying in the UK, please consult the website of the UK Border Agency http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/studyingintheuk/.
See also:
Applying for a child student visa
Extending a child student visa
Applying for an adult student visa
Extending an adult student visa
