Studying in the UK
This section describes the immigration categories for people from outside Europe who want to study in the UK. It describes the requirements for each category, and explains how you can apply for a visa or permission to remain in the UK as a student.
The category you choose will depend on your age, and on the length and level of the course that you want to study.
Our quick guide describes the different categories, and can help you to choose the correct category for you.
If you think you know which category is suitable for you, select it from the list below for more information about the requirements and how to apply.
The British council has produced 2 brochures 'creating confidence - make sure that your time in the UK is safe and enjoyable'(861KB, opens in a new window) and 'Safety first - making sure your visit to the UK is safe and enjoyable' (2MB, opens in a new window) for people interested in studying in the UK.
Tier 4 (General)
For adults who want to come to the UK for their post-16 education.Tier 4 (Child)
For children aged between 4 and 17 years old on a long course of study.Student visitor
For adults who want to study a short course in the UK and will not work while they are here.Child visitor
For children who want to study a short course in the UK and will not work while they are here.Prospective student
For people who need to finalise their arrangements for their Tier 4 course of study in the UK.Students under the old Immigration Rules
Information for students who are currently in the UK under the Rules that were in place before 31 March 2009.---------------------------------------
Immigration & visas
If you live outside of the European Economic Area and want to study in the UK, you will need to apply for permission from the UK government. You should apply to the UK authorities in your home country before making any travel arrangements.
You will either need to apply for a Visa, if you meet the UK Border Agency restrictions, or for Entry Clearance via the Points Based System, if you live outside the EEA but don't need a Visa. If you are coming from inside the EU / EEA you don't need any type of entry clearance - you are entitled to enter the UK freely.
Although it is possible to enter the UK without Entry Clearance if your course lasts less than six months, we strongly recommend that you apply for permission to enter the country regardless of how long your course lasts, as you may experience difficulties with the immigration authorities otherwise.
When you enter the UK, airport officials will validate your visa. You are likely to be asked to show supporting documents so keep your offer letter, evidence of qualifications, English language ability and financial documents in your carry-on luggage.
IMPORTANT: Do NOT enter the UK via Dublin as this is not part of the UK and therefore you will not pass through border control to have your visa validated. This means that you are not legally permitted to be in the UK, and will cause problems when you leave the UK and try to re-enter.
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How long can I stay?
If you are allowed to enter the UK for study, you should receive permission to remain in the UK for the length of your course of study, plus extra time depending on the length of your course:
- Seven days if your course lasts less than 6 months.
- Two months if your course lasts more than 6 months but less than 12 months
- Four months if your course lasts 12 months or more
You will be allowed to travel in and out of the UK as you wish, and you will also be permitted to work part-time or as an intern. After you have completed your studies, you can remain in the UK for up to four months. If you are offered a graduate-level job, with an annual salary of £20,000 or more, you may apply for a UK work visa. Many businesses can sponsor work visa applications. Alternatively, if you wish to start your own businesses in the UK after graduating, you can apply for a student entrepreneur’s visa.
Postgraduate students on courses longer than 12 months and government-sponsored students taking courses longer than six months are permitted to bring family members with you to Scotland. Family members are permitted to work and have unrestricted access to the UK labour market.
If you would like to visit Edinburgh Napier to see what the University is like before you accept a place, you can apply for entry as a prospective student if you meet the requirements of the Immigration Rules (paragraphs 82-87).
How to apply to enter the UK
You can make a Visa or Entry Clearance application at your nearest British High Commission / Consulate.
You will pay a £3,000 deposit to secure your place at Edinburgh Napier University. Once you have done this, we will send you a Certificate of Acceptance for Study (CAS) number. You must submit this along with your application and other supporting documents in order to obtain permission to enter the UK. If your visa application is denied, you will receive a full refund of your deposit.
You should allow at least a month for your application to be processed, so ensure that you pay the deposit and get your letter in time.
It is extremely important that you:
- read and understand the UKBA Tier 4 policy guidance
- check that you meet all the requirements before you apply
- provide evidence in the format required by the UKBA (this is explained in the guidance and on the application form)
- complete all sections of the form correctly
- allow plenty of time to gather documents and make your application.
If you do not meet all of the requirements, or if you can't provide the exact evidence that the UKBA ask for, it is likely that your application will be refused.
Otherwise, we will be very happy to speak to you if you can't find what you're looking for.
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Quick guide to student immigration categories
This page describes the different UK immigration categories for students, to help you decide which is the most appropriate for you. It also explains how a Tier 4 applicant should apply to study a 'pre-sessional course'.Student categories
| Category | Who can apply? |
|---|---|
| Tier 4 (Child) student | You can apply as a child student under Tier 4 of our points-based system if you are between 4 and 17 years old. If you are between 4 and 15 years old, you must be coming to the UK to be educated at an independent fee-paying school. |
| Child visitor | You can apply as a child visitor if you are under 18 years old and you want to come and study in the UK for up to 6 months. While you are in the UK as a child visitor, you cannot 'switch' and apply to extend your stay as a Tier 4 (Child) student. If you want to study here under Tier 4 (Child), you must leave the UK and apply from the country where you live. |
| Tier 4 (General) student | You can apply as an adult student under Tier 4 (General) of our points-based system if you are coming to the UK for your post-16 education. |
| Student visitor | You can apply as a student visitor if you are
at least 18 years old, you want to come and study in the UK for up to 6
months, and you do not want to work while you are here. While you are in the UK as a student visitor, you cannot 'switch' and apply to extend your stay as a Tier 4 (General) student. If you want to study here under Tier 4 (General) , you must leave the UK and apply from the country where you live. |
| Prospective student | You can apply as a prospective student if you
want to come to the UK to help you finalise the arrangements for your
Tier 4 course of study (by attending an interview at a university which
has made you a conditional offer, for example). You will be able to switch and apply for a Tier 4 (General) or Tier 4 (Child) student visa while you are in the UK. |
16- and 17-year-old students who want to study here for more than 6 months
If you are 16 or 17 years old, you and your approved education provider (also known as your sponsor) should agree whether you should apply under Tier 4 (General) or Tier 4 (Child) of the points-based system.If you will be studying a course below National Qualification Framework level 3, you must apply under Tier 4 (Child).
If your course is at National Qualification Framework level 3 (or equivalent) or above and is longer than 2 years, we recommend that you apply under Tier 4 (General).
If you want to study for an English Language qualification at or above level A2 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR), you must apply under Tier 4 (General).
If you are applying to study in the UK under Tier 4 of the points, based system, you can also apply to study an intensive English language course, or any other course, to prepare you for your main course of study here.
Pre-sessional courses
A pre-sessional course is a short course (such as an intensive English language course) to prepare a Tier 4 student for their main course of study. If you want to study a pre-sessional course before your main Tier 4 course, you must apply for permission to study the pre-sessional course.If you have an unconditional offer of a place on your main course of study, we may grant you a visa or permission to remain which covers both your pre-sessional course and your main course. We will only do this if your pre-sessional course will be:
- with the same education provider as your main course; or
- with a partner institution named on your education provider's sponsor licence.
If you only have a conditional offer of a place on your main course of study, or if your pre-sessional course provider is separate from your main course provider, you must first apply to us for permission to take the pre-sessional course. If you successfully complete the pre-sessional course, you can apply from inside the UK to extend your stay under Tier 4 and study your main course.
Tier 1 Visa - UK Points Based System (PBS)
The Tier 1 Visa replaced the previous Highly Skilled Migrant Programme (HSMP), International Graduates Scheme (IGS), innovator visa and entrepreneur visa.- Tier 1 Visa Extension Points Calculator
Points calculator for extending your Tier 1 General or HSMP Visa (UK General Highly Skilled), with a free assessment from a SkillClear Consultant. - Tier 1 Visa Post Study Work (PSW) Points Calculator
Use the Tier 1 PSW Visa points calculator if you have been a student within the UK within the most recent 12 months and have achieved the qualification for which your student visa in the UK was awarded. - Same-Day Visa Processing
If you need your application decided urgently and you are able to apply within the UK then we can offer a same-day service. An appointment is usually available for the next week, although places are limited, and the decision is usually granted on the day of the appointment. A Qualified Immigration Consultant will take your application to the Home Office and return with the decision - we do not use couriers to do this. If you use our document check service or engage us for full representation of your case then a discount is offered on the fee for this additional service. Please either contact us by clicking the link above or call us on the number in the footer of this website.
- Tier 1 Visa - UK General Highly Skilled (HSMP)
For highly skilled individuals without a job offer who can score sufficient points based on age, earning power, education and UK experience. This replaces the previous Highly Skilled Migrant Programme (HSMP). This visa was closed to all new applicants on 5 April 2011 and is now only available to those extensing their current HSMP or Tier 1 General Visa. - Tier 1 Visa - Post Study Work (PSW)
This allows those who have been in the UK on Student Visa status the right to work in the UK for an initial period of 2 years if they have achieved a certain level of educational qualification. This replaces the previous International Graduates Scheme (IGS). - Tier 1 Visa - Investors
This sub-category of the Tier 1 Visa allows those investing significant funds in the UK to live and work in the UK. - Tier 1 Visa - Entrepreneurs
This Tier 1 Visa sub-category is for those setting up or taking over a business in the UK and being actively involved in the running of that b
Tier 2 Work Permits and Visas for Skilled Workers
Tier 2 of the Points Based System has replaced the previous employer-sponsored work permit system, including intra-company transfers, sportspersons and ministers of religion categories.The process for Tier 2 work permit applications differs from the previous work permit system, with distinct stages as described below.
Tier 2 - Employer Registration as a Sponsor
Before the individual can apply for the Tier 2 Work Permit, the employer must first register as a sponsor for Tier 2.Tier 2 - Certificate of Sponsorship
Once the employer has registered as a sponsor a certificate of sponsorship can be issued. It is vital that this is done correctly and that suitable evidence is retained by the employer. If this is not done correctly then there can be serious consequences in the future, with the potential for financial penalties and work permits being revoked.This has understandably concerned many employers. We can help you to ensure that you meet the Home Office requirements.
Tier 2 Work Permit Applications
Once the individual has been provided with a certificate of sponsorship by the employer then he or she can make a Tier 2 application. This requires points to be claimed and evidenced in order to be issued with the Tier 2 Work Permit.Points are awarded for qualifications, the type of job for which the certificate of sponsorship has been issued, the salary offered, age, English language skills and available funds to support yourself in the UK (the employer can support this requirement).
If your application is urgent and you will be applying in the UK then we can offer
Same Day Visa Processing at the Croydon PEO.
Contact us for further information.
Tier 2 Work Permits would usually be issued for a maximum of 3 years. Towards the end of this period an extension
application would usually be made. Time spent in the UK under Tier 2 of the points based system counts towards
Indefinite Leave to Remain.
Tier 2 Categories
The general skilled worker category (Tier 2 General) is for people coming to the United Kingdom with a skilled job offer to fill a gap in the workforce that cannot be filled by a settled worker.The intra-company transfer category is for employees of multi-national companies who are being transferred by an overseas employer to a skilled job in a United Kingdom based branch of the organisation.
The sportsperson category is for elite sports people and coaches who are internationally established at the highest level, and will make a significant contribution to the development of their sport.
The minister of religion category is for people coming to the United Kingdom as a religious worker within a religious organisation for more than two years. If you want to come to the United Kingdom as a religious worker for a shorter time, you should apply under the religious worker category of tier 5.
Where to apply for Tier 2
If the individual is in the UK and holds a work or study-related visa then there is a good chance that he or she can switch to Tier 2 without leaving the UK. If the individual is in the UK as a visitor or dependant then he or she would usually need to apply for Tier 2 from outside the UK.Tier 4 Student Visa - Study in the UK
Studying in the UK offers International Students the opportunity to gain internationally recognised qualifications from recognised UK Educational institutions and establishments.
If your application is urgent and you will be applying in the UK then we can offer
Same Day Visa Processing at the Croydon PEO.
Contact us for further information.
Tier 4 Student Visa Overview
If the course is for a period greater than 6 months then you will be able to work part-time during the course of your studies (full-time during vacations), with the potential (if you meet the points requirements) to switch into a Tier 2 work permit or a Tier 1 visa once you have obtained your qualification.If your course is for a period less than 6 months then you may be able to enter as a student visitor. Time spent in the UK on a Tier 4 Student Visa or as a student visitor will not count towards Indefinite Leave to Remain.
The Student Visa will be granted for the duration of your course, up to a maximum of 4 years if you are studying for a degree level qualification or a maximum of 3 years if you are studying for a qualification below degree level. An extension can be applied for towards the end of the period if this is required to complete your studies.
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