Non-EEA Nationals

If you are a non-EEA national you may need a visa to come to the UK to study. 

Do I need a visa?

Find out if you need a visa at: UK Visas

To obtain a visa you must be able to show that:

1. You have been accepted on a course of study at:

• A publicly funded institution of further or higher education (for example, a university)
• A private education institution
• An independent fee paying school provided by an organisation included on the Department for Education & Skills (DfES) Register of Education and Training Providers. 

You will find the list of approved providers on:  Register of training & education providers

• A recognised full-time degree course
• A course run during the week involving at least 15 hours organised daytime study per week
• A full-time course of study at an independent fee paying school

3. You must also:

• Be able to pay for your course and support yourself and any dependants and live in the UK without working or any help from public funds
• Plan to leave the UK when you complete your studies, but if you are a degree student (or equivalent) who successfully completes your studies you may be able to take work permit employment or remain under   Post Study Work  (PSW)

Application form and guidance notes for the PSW are available from UK Border Agency

If you are applying from abroad you will need to complete the VAF9 – employment form and the PBS Appendix 4. These forms are available on the UK Visas website: UK Visa website

The Entry Clearance or Visa, is placed in your passport or travel document.

This tells the immigration officer at a UK port of arrival:

• The purpose of your travel
• How long you can stay in the UK; and
• The latest date that you can enter the UK.

• VAF 3 which you have filled in correctly. You can include any dependants under 16 years old who are included in your passport and will be travelling with you on your form. Older dependants should fill in separate forms
• Your passport or travel document
• Two recent passport-sized (45mm x 35mm), colour photographs of yourself
• The visa fee. This cannot be returned and you must normally pay it in the local currency of the country where you are applying
• Any relevant diplomas or educational certificates which you have
• A letter from the university, college or school confirming you have been accepted on a course of study in the UK and a statement of charges for the course
• Evidence of Government sponsorship (if applicable)
• Evidence of funds available to meet the costs of your course
• Evidence of funds available to maintain and accommodate yourself and your dependants without having recourse to public funds.

Visa application form (VAF 3 – Students)

You can also find the Visa application form (VAF 3), further information and guidance on the UK Visa website: UK Visa website

Student Visitor Visa (from 1 September 2007)

A new category of student visitor has been introduced for short-term students who wish to study in the UK. Short-term students are those who are studying on courses of six months duration or less.

• The category allows for short term students to undertake a short period of study during their visit to the UK;
• The student visitor is required to meet the requirements of the rules relating to visitors;
• In addition he/she will also have to demonstrate that he/she has been accepted on a course of study provided by an organisation which is included on the DfES’ Register of Education and Training Providers;
• The maximum period of leave allowed in this category is six months;
• There are no provisions for student visitors to extend their leave in the UK nor switch in-country to any other category. If they wish to follow a further course of study they must return to their home country to make an application as a student.
• Any leave granted in this new category will be counted as a period spent as a visitor for the purposes of considering an application for visitor leave.
• Only those over the age of 18 may apply in this category
• Visa Application form ( VAF1-visitor)

For more information on Student Visitor Visa  and to download the VAF1 application form please visit: UK Visa