Planning to study in the UK for the 2026-27 academic year means preparing for both university admission and immigration requirements. A UK Study Visa, officially called the Student visa, allows eligible international students to study at approved UK institutions, subject to the conditions of the route.
For Indian students, the process generally involves receiving an offer from a licensed education provider, obtaining a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS), meeting the English and financial requirements, preparing supporting documents and completing the online visa application. Depending on your circumstances and course, you may also need a TB test or ATAS certificate.
This guide explains the UK Student visa requirements, documents, financial requirements, fees, application process and processing timeline for 2026-27, so you can plan your application with fewer surprises.
What Is the UK Student Visa?
The UK Student visa is the immigration route for eligible students aged 16 or over who want to study a qualifying further or higher education course in the UK. The course must meet the requirements of the Student route and normally be provided by a licensed student sponsor.
The Student visa replaced the former Tier 4 General Student visa. If your application is successful, your immigration status is now generally provided digitally through an eVisa.
Your visa conditions can cover:
- Your permitted course and institution
- The length of your stay
- Whether you can work
- Whether you can bring eligible dependants
- Other conditions attached to your immigration permission
It is important to remember that university admission and visa approval are separate decisions. Receiving an offer from a university does not itself guarantee that a Student visa will be granted.
Who Needs a UK Study Visa?
You will generally need a Student visa if you are an international student coming to the UK for a qualifying course that requires this immigration route.
For example, the Student route can cover eligible:
- Undergraduate degree programmes
- Postgraduate taught programmes
- Doctoral and research programmes
- Certain other qualifying courses
- Eligible English-language study
The appropriate visa depends on the type and duration of your study. For example, an English-language course lasting more than 6 months but no more than 11 months may fall under the Short-term study visa rather than the Student route.
Students aged 4 to 17 studying at an independent school may instead need a Child Student visa.
If you are unsure which immigration route applies to your course, check the latest UK government guidance before submitting an application.
UK Student Visa Requirements for 2026-27
Meeting the basic requirements is one of the most important parts of your UK visa application. Your exact evidence will depend on your course, nationality and individual circumstances.
Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies
A Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) is a reference issued by your education provider after you have accepted an eligible offer and completed the provider’s required steps.
You need the CAS reference for your Student visa application. Your CAS contains important information about your course and sponsorship.
You should check that the personal and course information on your CAS is correct before submitting your visa application.
English Language Requirement
Most Student visa applicants need to demonstrate their knowledge of English.
For a course at UK bachelor’s degree level or above, the immigration requirement is generally CEFR B2. For courses below degree level, the requirement is generally CEFR B1. In some cases, your higher education provider can assess your English itself for degree-level study.
You may be able to meet the requirement through:
- An approved English language test
- A qualifying UK qualification
- A qualifying degree taught in English
- Other accepted evidence, depending on your circumstances
If your degree was awarded outside the UK and was taught in English, you may need an Ecctis assessment to confirm the qualification and language of instruction.
This means students should not assume that IELTS is automatically mandatory in every case. The university’s admission requirement and the UK immigration requirement can also differ.
Financial Requirement
Applicants generally need to show that they can pay their course fees and support themselves financially in the UK.
The required maintenance amount currently depends on whether you study in London or outside London:
| Study location | Required living-cost evidence |
|---|---|
| London | approximately £1,529 per month, for up to 9 months |
| Outside London | approximately £1,171 per month, for up to 9 months |
You also need to account for the relevant course fees shown on your CAS.
The financial evidence normally needs to demonstrate that the required funds have been held for 28 consecutive days, with the end of that period falling within the specified timeframe before the visa application.
Because financial rules can change, students should verify the applicable amount immediately before applying.
Tuberculosis Test
Applicants from countries where TB testing is required must provide an accepted tuberculosis test certificate.
For applicants in India, the test must be completed through a Home Office-approved clinic. The UK government maintains the current list of approved clinics, including centres in cities such as Bengaluru.
Do not arrange the test through an unapproved clinic if your visa application requires a TB certificate.
ATAS Certificate
Some students studying or researching sensitive subjects at postgraduate level may need an Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) certificate.
Whether ATAS applies depends on factors such as the course, subject area and nationality. The requirement is not applicable to every master’s or postgraduate student.
If your university tells you that ATAS clearance is required, allow sufficient time to obtain it before your visa application.
UK Student Visa Financial Requirements
Financial preparation is one of the areas where applicants should be particularly careful.
For a standard Student visa application, you may need to demonstrate funds for:
- Outstanding course fees for the relevant period
- Living costs in London or outside London
- Additional eligible dependant costs, if applicable
The course-fee figure is normally connected to the information shown on your CAS. The required maintenance funds depend on your study location.
For example, the current maintenance requirement for a student studying outside London is approximately £1,171 per month for up to 9 months, while the London requirement is approximately £1,529 per month for up to 9 months.
You may not need to provide financial evidence in certain circumstances, including where you have been in the UK with a valid visa for at least 12 months immediately before applying. There are also nationality-based evidence rules and other exceptions.
How to Prepare Financial Evidence
Before applying:
- Check the course fee shown on your CAS.
- Calculate the applicable maintenance requirement.
- Confirm whether your financial evidence meets UKVI rules.
- Check the required holding period.
- Keep bank statements or other accepted evidence available.
- Make sure names and account details are consistent.
- Check whether your student loan or sponsorship evidence meets the requirements.
Do not rely solely on the amount you personally expect to spend. The visa application uses specific immigration rules for financial evidence.
Documents Required for a UK Student Visa
The exact document list varies according to your circumstances. Common documents can include:
- Valid passport or travel document
- CAS reference
- Financial evidence, where required
- English-language evidence, where required
- TB certificate, where required
- ATAS certificate, where required
- Evidence of sponsorship, where applicable
- Parental or guardian consent for applicants under 18
- Evidence of relationship to a parent or guardian for applicants under 18
UKVI can request additional evidence depending on the individual application.
If documents are not in English or Welsh, you may need appropriate certified translations.
A useful approach is to prepare your documents before starting the application, rather than trying to collect everything after completing the online form.
UK Study Visa Fees and Other Costs
The Student visa application fee for applications made outside the UK is currently approximately £558 per applicant. The UK government fee table confirms this rate for 2026.
You may also need to pay the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS).
For students, the IHS is currently approximately £776 per year, although the amount payable for an individual application depends on the length of immigration permission granted.
Other possible expenses can include:
- TB testing, where required
- English-language testing, where required
- ATAS-related preparation, where applicable
- Travel to a visa application centre
- Optional faster visa services, where available
- Document translation or certification
These costs can vary, so students should check the relevant official service immediately before applying.
UK Student Visa Application Process
Once your university admission and CAS are ready, the visa application generally follows a clear sequence.
Step 1: Receive Your CAS
Accept your university offer and complete the institution’s required pre-CAS steps.
Your university will issue the CAS when it is ready to sponsor your Student visa application.
Check your CAS carefully for:
- Name and personal details
- Course title
- Course dates
- Tuition information
- Sponsor information
- CAS reference number
Step 2: Prepare Your Documents
Gather your passport, financial evidence and other supporting documents.
If you require a TB test or ATAS certificate, make sure you have the required evidence before applying.
Step 3: Complete the Online Application
Student visa applications must be submitted online.
You will provide information about yourself, your course, your CAS and other relevant circumstances. You will also pay the applicable visa fee and, where required, the Immigration Health Surcharge.
Review the application carefully before submitting it. Inconsistent information can create delays or requests for additional evidence.
Step 4: Prove Your Identity and Give Biometrics
Depending on your circumstances, you may use the UK Immigration: ID Check app or attend a visa application centre to provide your fingerprints and photograph.
Follow the instructions generated during your application because the required process depends on your passport and circumstances.
Step 5: Wait for the Decision
After you have completed the required application steps, UKVI will assess your application.
You may be contacted if additional information, document verification or an interview is required.
Step 6: Access Your eVisa
If your application is successful, you will receive an eVisa, which is the digital record of your UK immigration status.
Follow the instructions in your decision communication to access your eVisa and ensure that your travel document is correctly linked to your UKVI account.
UK Student Visa Processing Time
For applications made outside the UK, the current standard processing time for a Student visa is usually around 3 weeks.
However, this should not be treated as a guaranteed timeline. Applications can take longer if UKVI needs to verify documents, conduct additional checks or arrange an interview.
UKVI also advises applicants not to book travel until they have received a visa decision.
For the 2026-27 intake, it is sensible to plan your visa application well ahead of your intended travel date rather than relying on the standard processing time alone.
Can You Work on a UK Student Visa?
Some Student visa holders can work while studying, but the permitted hours and conditions depend on the course and sponsor.
For eligible full-time degree-level courses sponsored by a higher education provider with a track record of compliance, students can generally work up to 20 hours per week during term time and full-time during permitted vacation periods.
Some below-degree-level courses have a lower work limit, while certain students are not permitted to work.
The Student visa also prohibits certain types of work, including self-employment and professional sport in specified circumstances.
Always check the conditions attached to your individual immigration permission before accepting employment.
Can You Bring Dependants to the UK?
Dependant rules are more restrictive than they were under previous Student visa arrangements.
For postgraduate students whose courses started on or after 1 January 2024, dependants are generally limited to students studying a PhD or other doctoral qualification or a research-based higher degree, subject to the applicable rules. Government-sponsored students starting eligible courses lasting longer than 6 months may also qualify under the relevant provisions.
Eligible dependants can include:
- A spouse or civil partner
- An unmarried partner meeting the relevant requirements
- A child under 18
Evidence of the relationship is required.
If you are planning to take your family to the UK, check the latest dependant rules before accepting an offer because eligibility depends heavily on your course and sponsorship circumstances.
Common UK Student Visa Mistakes to Avoid
A well-prepared application can reduce avoidable problems. Common areas to check include:
1. Using outdated financial requirements
Maintenance requirements can change. Always check the latest UKVI figure before preparing your financial evidence.
2. Ignoring the 28-day financial evidence rule
Having enough money is not the only consideration. Where financial evidence is required, the funds must also satisfy the prescribed holding-period rules.
3. Applying without checking the CAS
Your CAS contains important information used in the visa application. Review it carefully before submitting your form.
4. Assuming IELTS is always mandatory
English evidence depends on your circumstances, course and accepted qualifications. Check both your university’s requirements and the Student visa rules.
5. Booking flights before receiving the decision
UKVI advises applicants not to book travel until a visa decision has been received.
6. Assuming every postgraduate student can bring dependants
Current rules restrict dependant eligibility for many postgraduate taught students. Check whether your specific course qualifies before making family relocation plans.
7. Treating admission and visa approval as the same process
A university may admit you academically, while UKVI separately assesses your immigration application. Meeting the Student visa requirements is therefore essential even after receiving an offer.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much money do I need for a UK Student visa?
The required maintenance funds currently depend on your study location. You generally need to show approximately £1,529 per month for up to 9 months in London or approximately £1,171 per month for up to 9 months outside London, in addition to applicable course-fee evidence.
Can Indian students apply for a UK Student visa online?
Yes. Student visa applications are submitted online. Depending on your circumstances, you may then need to use the UK Immigration: ID Check app or attend a visa application centre to prove your identity and provide biometrics.
How long does a UK Student visa take?
For applications made outside the UK, the current standard processing time is usually around 3 weeks, although individual applications can take longer.
Is IELTS mandatory for a UK Student visa?
Not necessarily. You need to meet the applicable English-language requirement, but accepted evidence can include certain qualifications, a qualifying degree taught in English or an approved English test. For degree-level study, the immigration requirement is generally CEFR B2.
Can I work while studying in the UK?
Eligible students on certain full-time degree-level courses can generally work up to 20 hours per week during term time, subject to their visa conditions. Other courses may have different restrictions or no work permission.
Can I bring my spouse to the UK on a Student visa?
Only certain students can bring dependants. For postgraduate courses beginning on or after 1 January 2024, the course generally needs to be a PhD, another doctorate or a research-based higher degree, subject to the applicable rules.
Key Takeaways
A successful UK Study Visa application starts with understanding the requirements before submitting the form. For the 2026-27 intake, students should pay particular attention to their CAS, English-language evidence, financial requirement, supporting documents, TB testing where applicable and any ATAS requirement.
The application itself is completed online, followed by identity verification or biometrics as instructed. While UKVI currently states that Student visa applications made outside the UK usually receive a decision within around 3 weeks, processing can take longer in individual cases.
The best approach is to prepare early, use current official requirements and keep your university admission documents and visa evidence consistent.
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