A valid passport

To visit the UK, you’ll need:

• A valid passport. Your passport must be valid for the entire time you intend to stay in the UK. It must also have at least 6 months validity and 2 blank pages when you arrive.
• If you’re travelling with children under 18 years old, they must have their own passport.

Proof of financial resources and maintenance

You will need to show proof of your financial resources and maintenance for the duration of your stay in the UK. This means you will have to prove that you have a certain amount of money available for the whole length of your course, or for each month if it is shorter than nine months. You will also need to demonstrate that you can pay for any additional costs such as food, travel costs, accommodation etc.

How much money do I need and how do I prove it?

The amount will depend on where you and any dependants (e.g., your partner or child) intend to study in the UK:

• Greater London – £1,265 per month (up to 9 months) or £11,385 in total
• Rest of the UK – £1,015 per month (up to 9 months) or £9,135 in total

If your course lasts less than 9 months then you must show funds equivalent to 1/12th of these amounts per month remaining on your course. If you are studying English Language courses lasting between 6 and 11 months then this amount is reduced by 10%. So if your course is 8 months long then you would only need 80% of the above amounts available (£8108 rest of UK).

Note that these figures are correct as at April 2019 but may change from time to time. Check with a UK embassy or visa application centre near you before applying for an up-to-date figure.

Tuberculosis test results (for some countries)

If you are a national of a country on this list, you must have a tuberculosis (TB) test in your home country before applying for a UK student visa. You cannot get the TB test in the UK. The results are valid for 6 months.

A confirmation of acceptance for studies

In order to be granted a student visa, you must have been accepted by a UK university. The application process can take up to eight weeks, so plan ahead if you are interested in studying abroad in the UK.

Academic qualifications needed to enter the university

You will need to meet the entry requirements of your chosen university. These are available on their website or you can ask them directly. They may accept:

• A-levels
• a diploma
• an undergraduate degree (or above)
• proof of your English language skills.

If you don’t meet the entry requirements, you might be able to take a foundation course instead.

UK visa requirements are the same for everyone – no matter the country they came from.

• When applying for a visa to study in the UK, it doesn’t matter which country you’re from. All students must meet the same requirements in order to be approved.
• You can only apply for a student visa if you’ve already been accepted into a program at an accredited college or university.