Most international ─ non-European Economic Area ─ students need a visa/entry clearance to study in the UK. You can self-assess online at the
UK Border Agency website to see if you will need a visa/entry clearance to enter the UK.
European Economic Area (EEA) nationals do not need a visa or entry clearance to study in the UK. If you are an EEA national you can travel into the UK using your passport or National Identity Card.
Further information is also available through your local British Embassy or High Commission.
Which student visa?
Under the Points-Based System there are two different visas available to students:
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Tier 4 General student visa: You will need a Tier 4 (General) student visa if you intend to study in the UK for more than six months.
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Student visitor visa: If your course is for less than six months and you do not plan to extend your stay or undertake any kind of employment while you are here, you will need a student visitor visa.
Students studying a presessional course at the Centre for English Language Education (CELE) and who are planning to register on a degree program upon completion of their English language course must apply for a Tier 4 student visa. Students holding a student visitor visa will not be permitted to register.
Other visa categories
If you hold leave to remain in the UK in a different visa category, it may be possible for you to study on your current visa. If you are unsure, please contact the International Support Services Team for more information.
Time limits and academic progression
From April 2012, limits have been introduced on the length of time that students can spend in the UK on a Tier 4 student visa to study courses at certain levels. Current students who need to re-sit part of their course will be subject to the limits outlined.
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3 years for course below degree level (excluding time spent on a child student visa)
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5 years for undergraduate degree programmes and taught postgraduate courses
There are exceptions to the five year limit if an undergraduate course was four or five years long to begin with and a student wishes to progress to a postgraduate taught course. There are also exemptions for courses in architecture, medicine, dentistry, veterinary medicine and science. PhD courses are exempt from the limit.
Your studies in the UK should also represent academic progress – for example, upon completion of a masters degree (CEFR level 7) you are expected to progress to a CEFR level 8 course. If you have previously studied in the UK at the same level or at a higher level, the Admissions Office may contact you for further information. If you did not indicate your previous study in the UK on your application form, you should contact the Admissions Office immediately.