The UK government is currently developing a new Points-Based Visa system for international students. This will be introduced in spring 2009 and is intended to make the visa process more efficient, objective and transparent. UK visa information for international students may, therefore, change in the coming months. Kaplan Aspect will keep you updated of these changes or you may contact the websites at the bottom of this page for the most up to date information.

How do I qualify to travel to the UK as a student?

You must be able to show that you have been accepted on a course of study or for a period of study at an educational establishment on the UK's Department for Children Schools and Families Register of Education and Training Providers. All Kaplan Aspect schools in the UK are on this register.

You must be able to show that you are participating in one of the following:

• A period of study in excess of 6 months where this forms part of an overseas degree course
• A course run during the week involving at least 15 hours of organised daytime study each week
• A recognised full-time degree course
• A full-time course at an independent fee-paying school

You must also:

• Be able to pay for your course and support yourself and any dependants, and live in the UK without going into business or getting a job, or needing any help from public funds
• Be able and intend to follow your chosen course and
• Intend to leave the UK when you complete your studies if your course of study is below degree level.

What is a visa?

A visa is a certificate that is put into your passport or travel document by an Entry Clearance Officer who works in The Visa Section (visa application office) at a British mission overseas. The visa gives you permission to enter the UK.

If you have a valid UK visa you will not normally be refused entry to the UK unless your circumstances have changed, or you gave false information or did not disclose important facts when you applied for your visa.

When you arrive in the UK, an Immigration Officer may ask you questions, so pack all relevant documents in your hand luggage.

Do I need a visa to study in the UK?

You will need a visa if you:

• Are not an EEA national
• Are stateless (you don't have a nationality)
• Hold a non-national travel document, or
• Hold a passport issued by an authority that is not recognised in the UK

You do not need an entry clearance as a student visitor if you are a non-visa national, but you will have to satisfy the Immigration Officer that you qualify for entry to study when you arrive in the UK. You must be able to show that you have been accepted on a course of study at an educational establishment that is on the Register of Education and Training Providers. You will then be given permission to stay in the UK for up to six months.

How do I apply for a visa?

You can apply in a number of ways, for example, by post, by courier, in person or online. Staff at the visa application office or Visa Section (visa application office) can inform you of the most suitable application methods.

Some visa sections will only accept applications made online. To find out if you can apply for your visa online please visit the visa 4UK website.

If you cannot apply online you will need to fill in a visa application form (VAF3 - Student). You can get a form free of charge from your nearest visa application centre.

You should apply for a student visa in the country of which you are a national or where you legally live.

In some countries, if you are applying for a visa to stay in the UK for more than six months, you may need to be tested for active tuberculosis before your application will be accepted. You can find out if you need to be tested by contacting your nearest visa application office.

What are visa application centres?

In some countries, we work with commercial companies to run visa application centres (Vacs). The Vacs are in largely populated areas, making it easier and more convenient for people to apply for a UK visa. Trained staff at each VAC deal with all visa enquiries and applications. They collect your biometric information (see description below) along with the relevant fees, and provide unbiased, face-to-face advice on the application process, including whether or not you have included all the necessary documents. Entry clearance staff at the British mission will then consider your application and decide whether to issue or refuse your visa. VAC staff have no say in this decision.

What will I need to make my application?

You will need to make your application online or fill in an Application form VAF3 – Student. You will also need the following:

• Your passport or travel document.
• A recent passport-sized (45mm x 35mm), colour photograph of yourself. This should be:
  1. taken against a light-coloured background
  2. clear and of good quality, and not framed or backed
  3. printed on normal photographic paper, and
  4. full face and without sunglasses, hat or other head covering unless you wear this for cultural or religious reasons (but the face must not be covered).
• The visa fee. This cannot be refunded and you must normally pay it in the local currency of the country in which you are applying.
• Supporting documents relevant to your application.

What is 'biometric' information?

In some countries currently - and in all countries by April 2008 - you will need to provide 'biometric' information as part of the visa application process. This biometric information consists of scans of all 10 of your fingers and a full-face digital photograph. You will have to go to the nearest VAC in person to provide this biometric information. In those countries where there is no VAC, you will need to go to the British mission. Your visa applications will not be processed until you have provided the necessary biometric information.

The finger scans are electronic so staff do not need to use any ink, liquid or chemicals. You will have your digital photograph taken at the same time and the whole procedure should take no more than five minutes to complete. You should make sure that you do not have any decoration (such as henna), or any cuts or other markings on your fingertips before having your finger scans. You should also make sure that if you have any cuts and bruises on your face, they have healed or disappeared before you have your photograph taken. Digital photographs must be of your full face and you should not wear sunglasses, a hat or any other head covering (unless you wear it for cultural or religious reasons but the face must not be covered).

What supporting documents should I include with my application?

You should include all the documents you can to show that you qualify for entry to the UK as a student. If you do not, your application may be refused.

As a guide, you should include:

• Any relevant diplomas or educational certificates that you have
• A letter from the university, college or school confirming that you have been accepted on a course of study and/or a period of research in the UK, and a statement of charges for the course and/or period of research (if appropriate)
• If you are following a certain type of postgraduate study, an ATAS (Academic Technology Approval Scheme) Certificate
• Evidence of government sponsorship (if appropriate)
• Bank statements, payslips or other evidence to show that you can pay for your stay and your course of studies in the UK, and
• If you are being privately sponsored (for example, by a college in the UK) a letter from your sponsor giving details of how they will support you during your studies, and evidence that they can do so.

Your application will be refused if any documents are forged.

What will happen when I make my application?

The Entry Clearance Officer will try to make a decision using your application form and the supporting documents you have provided. If this is not possible, they will need to interview you.

Please check your visa when you get it. You should make sure that:

• Your personal details are correct
• It correctly states the purpose for which you want to come to the UK, and
• It is valid for the date on which you want to travel. (You can ask for it to be post-dated for up to three months if you do not plan to travel immediately).

If you think there is anything wrong with your visa, contact the Visa Section (visa application office) immediately.

Can I extend my stay as a student?

If you enter the UK with a student visa or prospective student visa, or if you want to study on a course at degree level or higher, you can apply to the UK Border Agency. Their contact details are at end of this section. The UK Border Agency will charge you a non-refundable fee for any application to extend your stay in the UK.

NB: If you enter the UK with a student visitor visa, you will not be allowed to extend your stay. If any student wants to extend their stay or are not sure how long they want to study in the UK, they should apply for a full student visa not a student visitor visa.

Can I work?

You can take part-time or holiday work, but you must not:

• Work for more than 20 hours a week during term time unless your placement is part of your studies, has been agreed with your educational institution and leads to a degree or qualification awarded by a nationally recognised examining body
• Do business, be self-employed or provide services as a professional sportsperson or entertainer, or
• Work full-time in a permanent job.

Can I bring my husband, wife or civil partner and children with me?

Your husband, wife or civil partner and any of your children under 18 can come to the UK with you during your studies, as long as you can support them without needing any help from public funds.

What do my dependants need to make an application?

Your dependants will need to make their application online or fill in a VAF3-Student visa application form:

They will also need the following:

• Their passport or travel document.
• A recent passport-sized (45mm x 35mm), colour photograph for each separate individual. This should be:
  1. taken against a light-coloured background
  2. clear and of good quality, and not framed or backed
  3. printed on normal photographic paper, and
  4. full face and without sunglasses, hat or other head covering unless you wear this for cultural or religious reasons (but the face must not be covered).
• The visa fee. This cannot be refunded and they must normally pay it in the local currency of the country where they are applying.
• Proof of their relationship to you.
• Proof that you can support them without needing any help from public funds.
• Proof of the course of study you are doing or are going to do in the UK.
• A copy of the relevant pages from your passport, showing your permission to stay if you are already in the UK.

Will my husband, wife or civil partner be allowed to work?

Your husband, wife or civil partner will be allowed to work in the UK if we give you permission to stay in the country for at least twelve months.

Will I need to register with the Police?

Nationals of certain countries are required to register with the police if they are entering the UK for more than six months. Your visa will state if this is necessary.

When should I apply?

You should apply in good time for your entry clearance so that you are not delayed in getting into the UK. However, you cannot have your clearance post-dated by more than three months. It can get very busy in visa sections, especially over the summer when lots of students are applying.

Where can I get more advice and information?

Register of Education and Training Providers

Contact: The Register of Education and Training Providers.
PO Box 54876
London SW1P 9EZ
Email: info@dcfs.gov.uk
Information about UK recognised degrees is available on the Department for Children, Schools and Families website.

British Council and English UK

The British Council and English UK provide useful information to help international students prepare for study in the UK.

The UK Border Agency

For more advice and information about extending your stay once you are in the UK, contact:

The UK Border Agency
Croydon Public Caller Unit
Lunar House
40 Wellesley Road
Croydon CR9 2BY
Phone: (+44) (0)870 606 7766 (general enquiries)
Phone: (+44) (0)870 241 0645 (application forms)
Email: indpublicenquiries@ind.homeoffice.gsi.gov.uk
Website: www.bia.homeoffice.gov.uk