1. Overview
You can apply for a Short-term study visa if:
1.you’re doing a short course of study in the UK
2.you’re from outside the European Economic Area (EEA) and Switzerland
3.you meet the other eligibility requirements
4.You need a Standard Visitor visa if you’re an academic visitor.
You can’t apply if you qualify for British citizenship - including if you can have dual nationality. You must apply for British citizenship instead.
What you can and can’t do
You can:
1.do a short course of study in the UK, such as an English language course or a training course
2.do a short period of research as part of a degree course if you are studying abroad
You can’t:
3.study at a state school
4.work (including on a work placement or work experience) or carry out any business
5.extend this visa
6.bring family members (‘dependants’) with you - they must apply separately
7.get public funds
How long you can stay
You can stay in the UK for:
1.6 months - for any short course (including English language courses), or short period of research if you’re 18 or over
2.11 months - if you’re 18 or over and taking an English language course
Fees
It costs:
1.£89 for a 6 month visa
2.£170 for an 11 month visa
How long it takes
You can apply for a visa up to 3 months before your date of travel to the UK.
You should get a decision on your visa within 3 weeks.
2. Eligibility
You must prove that you:
1.have been offered a place on a course in the UK at an accepted place of study
2.have enough money to support yourself without working or help from public funds, or that relatives and friends can support and house you
3.can pay for your return or onward journey
If you’re under 18 you must also:
1.have made arrangements for your travel and stay in the UK
2.have permission from your parent or guardian to study in the UK
Where you can study
You must be accepted on a course with an education provider that holds a Tier 4 sponsor licence.
Otherwise your course will need to be held at an educational institution listed by one of the following:
1.Accreditation Body for Language Services
2.Accreditation Service for International Colleges
3.Accreditation UK
4.Bridge Schools Inspectorate
5.British Accreditation Council
6.Education and Training Inspectorate (in Northern Ireland)
7.Estyn (in Wales)
8.HM Inspectorate of Education (in Scotland)
9.Independent Schools Inspectorate
10.Office for Standards in Education (Ofsted)
11.Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education
12.Schools Inspection Service
Learning English as a foreign language
You must be at least 18 years old and accepted on a course to learn English as a foreign language if you’re applying for an 11 month Short-term study visa.
A mixed course, some of which is spent studying English, doesn’t count.
Visiting the UK as part of an overseas course
You can apply for a Short-term study visa if you’re at least 18 years old and studying at an overseas higher education institution and part of your course is in the UK.
Your institution must:
1.hold its own national accreditation
2.offer only part of its educational programme in the UK
3.offer programmes that are equivalent to a UK degree
Researching in the UK for a short time
You can come to the UK for a short period of research if already enrolled on an overseas degree course.
To be eligible:
1.your course must be equivalent to a UK degree
2.you must be carrying out the research at a UK recognised body, or a body that receives public funding as a higher education institution
3.you must be at least 18 years old
3. Documents you must provide
When you apply you need to provide:
1.a current passport or other valid travel identification
2.evidence that you can support yourself during your trip, for example bank statements or payslips for the last 6 months
3.details of where you intend to stay and your travel plans - you shouldn’t pay for accommodation or travel until you get your visa
4.your tuberculosis (TB) test results if you’re from a country where you have to take the test
5.contact details for at least one parent or guardian in your home country (if you’re under 18 years old)
You need to provide the original documents.
You also need to provide a certified translation of any documents that aren’t in English or Welsh.
You need a page in your passport that’s blank on both sides for your visa.
Documents about your course
You must provide proof of the course you’re studying, for example a letter of acceptance from the educational institution - on official headed paper, stating the course’s name, duration and cost (including accommodation).
You may need to provide additional documents depending on your circumstances, such as evidence of your:
1.previous study, for example academic certificates, references or transcripts
2.English language qualifications, for example certificates or awards
3.accommodation and travel plans
4.permission to be in the country you’re applying from (if you’re not a national)
5.financial sponsor’s occupation, income, savings or funds that will support your studies
If you’re under 18
If you’re under 18 you need to provide additional documents if:
1.you’re travelling on your own
2.you’re travelling with someone who isn’t your parent or guardian
Travelling on your own
You can travel to the UK without an adult (someone 18 or over).
Your parent or guardian needs to provide their:
1.written consent for you to travel to the UK
2.full contact details
They also need to provide proof that you have somewhere suitable to live during your stay in the UK, including:
1.the name and date of birth of the person that you will be staying with
2,an address where you will be living
3.details of your relationship to the person who’ll be looking after you
4.consent in writing so they can look after you during your stay in the UK
You must provide a letter from the school confirming it has notified the local authority of your visit and the details of who’ll be caring for you if:
1.you’re under 16 (or under 18 if you have a disability)
2.you’ll be looked after for more than 28 days by someone who is not a close relative (called ‘private foster care’)
You must include the reply from the local authority if the school has received one.
Travelling with an adult
When travelling to the UK with an adult (someone 18 or over), you need to identify them in your visa application.
Their name will appear on your visa, and you’ll be refused entry to the UK if you arrive in the UK without them.
You can identify up to 2 adults in your visa application, and your visa will only be valid if you travel with at least one of them.
The adult can apply for a visa at the same time, but you must each complete separate applications.
4. Apply
You must apply online for a Short-term study visa.
You need to have your fingerprints and photograph (known as ‘biometric information’) taken at a visa application centre as part of your application.
You may be able to get your visa faster or other services depending on what country you’re in - check with your visa application centre.
North Korea
You can’t apply online if you’re living in North Korea.
To apply from North Korea you must:
1.download the application form
2.read the instructions for North Korea on how to apply