UK student visa route allows overseas nationals over the age of 16 to come and undertake higher studies in the UK. Child applicants between the age of 4 and 17 may apply for a child student visa instead. The students are sponsored by the educational institution normally for the duration of the course and issued with a visa to study that particular course at that institution. From 05 October 2020, the UK government announced the new student visa route, and the requirements of the same are set out below.
Study Visa Requirements
Students will be required to score a total of 70 points to be granted leave, these points are non-tradable. Points will be awarded for meeting the requirements of the route, which comprise the sponsorship requirements, English language requirements, and maintenance/finance requirements.
The key requirements of the Tier 4 student visa are as below:
- Offered an unconditional place on a course by a Tier 4 licensed educational institution;
- Competent in the English Language of at least CEFR level B1 for Degree level and B2 for Degree level or higher;
- Be able to provide for the cost of living in the UK and pay for course fees without relying on public funds.
Students applying under the new student route from outside the UK now can do so up to 6 months prior to the start of their course.
EU nationals can apply for entry clearance applications from 5 October 2020, and for entry to the UK from 1 January 2021. Nationals from the EU, EEA, and Switzerland have been added to the list of ‘low risk’ nationals. Any students from these countries will not be required to submit evidence to show that they meet the financial requirements or provide their academic qualifications used to obtain an offer of study.
If the applicant is applying for permission to stay and has been living in the UK with permission for 12 months or more on the date of application, they will meet the financial requirement and do not need to show funds. The UK government requires students to maintain funds for at least 28 days before the application. If the applicant is applying for entry clearance, or is applying for permission to stay and has been in the UK with permission for less than 12 months, the applicant must have the following funds; Students studying in London must have sufficient funds to pay any outstanding course fees as stated on the Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies, and £1,265 for each month of the course (up to a maximum of 9 months). Students studying outside of London must have Sufficient funds to pay any outstanding course fees as stated on the Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies, and £1,015 for each month of the course (up to a maximum of 9 months). If the application is under Tier 4 Doctorate Extension Scheme. If the applicant is applying for entry clearance or permission to stay and is applying as a Student Union Sabbatical Officer or to study in a recognized foundation program as a doctor or dentist in training, they will meet the financial requirement and do not need to show funds.
English requirements are met if they have already shown they met the requirement, at the level required for their current application, in a previous successful application for entry clearance or permission to remain in the UK. The English language requirements can be met if they are a national of any of the selected Majority-English-speaking countries or if they have a qualifying qualification. An applicant will meet the English language requirement if they have provided a valid digital reference number from an approved provider showing they have passed an approved English language test to the required level in the two years before the date of application. Where an applicant has a GCSE, A level, Scottish National Qualification at level 4 or 5 or Scottish Higher or Advanced Higher, in English language or literature they will meet the English language requirements.
Work Rights
Students enrolled in a degree-level (NQF Level 6) course at a UK higher education institution are permitted to work up to 20 hours per week during term time, full-time during vacations, complete a work placement as part of the course, or work as a sabbatical officer in a Students’ Union for up to two years. Students can only work 10 hours per week during term time if the course is below the level of a bachelor’s degree.