UK Student Visa: Complete 2026 Guide

TL;DR

The UK Student visa lets you study a full-time course at a licensed sponsor (university, college, or independent school). The fee is £524 from outside the UK plus the discounted Immigration Health Surcharge of £776/year. You need a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS), proof of funds (£1,334/month for London, £1,023 outside, for up to 9 months) and English language ability appropriate to your course. Most students can work 20 hours a week during term time.

How much does a UK Student visa cost?

The Student visa application fee is £524 from outside the UK and £775 from inside (extension or switch). On top, you pay the discounted Immigration Health Surcharge of £776 per year of study — a third less than the standard adult rate (gov.uk visa fees).

Worked example for a 3-year undergraduate from outside the UK:

• £524 visa fee
• £2,328 IHS (£776 × 3)
• ~£100 biometrics
• Total: roughly £2,952 before tuition fees and living costs

Tuition fees vary widely (£15,000-£45,000+/year for international students) and are separate. Plan for total annual cost (visa + IHS + tuition + living) of £35,000-£50,000+ for most undergraduate programmes.

What is the financial requirement?

You must show two pots of money:

1. Tuition fees — for the first year of your course (or the full course fee if shorter than a year). If you've already paid some, the CAS will show the balance remaining; you only need to show that balance.

2. Living costs (maintenance) — held for at least 28 consecutive days, ending no more than 31 days before you apply:

You only need to show maintenance for up to 9 months even if your course is longer; the visa assumes you can replenish funds during the year.

Funds can be held in your name, your parents'/legal guardian's name (with their written consent), or in a joint account with one of them. They must be in cash form — investment accounts, life insurance, and bonds usually don't qualify unless they're held in a savings account by the application date.

Some applicants are exempt from showing maintenance: those with at least 12 months of valid leave in the UK at application, government-sponsored students, and certain low-risk nationalities under the differentiation arrangements.

What is a CAS and how do I get one?

A Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) is a unique 14-digit reference number your university generates and assigns to you after you accept an unconditional offer. It is valid for 6 months from issue.

The CAS contains:

• Your personal details (must match your passport exactly)
• Course title, length, and start/end dates
• Total course fees and amount paid so far
• Sponsor licence number
• Qualifications the university used to admit you
• Whether the course requires ATAS clearance
• Any conditions still outstanding

You cannot apply for a Student visa without a CAS. Universities only issue them when:

1. You hold an unconditional offer (or your offer's conditions are satisfied)
2. You've paid any required deposit
3. The university has assessed your immigration history and intentions (the "credibility interview" or written equivalent)

If your application is refused or you don't travel, the CAS is "used" and you cannot reuse it. Your sponsor will need to issue a new CAS for any re-application.

What documents do I need?

Standard Student visa bundle:

• Valid passport with at least one blank page
• CAS reference number (just the number — you don't submit the CAS document itself; UKVI looks it up)
• Financial evidence — bank statements showing required maintenance for 28 days, or a loan letter from a recognised provider, or government sponsorship letter
• Academic qualifications — those listed on the CAS (degree certificates, transcripts, school leaving certificates)
• English language certificate — IELTS for UKVI / SELT, or evidence of being a national of an English-majority country, or having completed a UK degree, etc. (university confirms this on CAS for higher education courses)
• TB test certificate if applying from a listed country
• ATAS certificate if your course/research touches sensitive subjects (see below)
• Parental consent letter if you're under 18

Use our free Bundler to merge these into one ordered PDF before upload. The output usually fits comfortably under the 6 MB UKVCAS limit.

What is ATAS and do I need one?

The Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) is a Foreign Office security clearance required for postgraduate students and researchers in certain sensitive subjects, mostly within engineering, physics, chemistry, biology, materials science, computer science (with a security/cryptography focus), aerospace, and nuclear technology.

Your CAS will state whether ATAS is required. If it is, you must:

1. Apply via the FCDO's online ATAS portal — free
2. Receive the certificate (usually 4-8 weeks; can be 6+ months for sensitive areas)
3. Include the certificate in your visa application

Your Student visa will be refused without ATAS if your CAS requires it. ATAS clearance is also rechecked periodically during your studies if your research focus changes.

Can I work on a Student visa?

Work rights depend on level of study:

You cannot:

• Be self-employed (no Companies House registrations, no UTR)
• Take any permanent full-time role
• Work as a professional sportsperson or coach
• Work as an entertainer
• Be a doctor or dentist in training (separate route)

Breaching work conditions is grounds for visa cancellation and a future re-entry ban. Universities and employers report compliance to UKVI.

What happens after my course?

You have several options before your Student visa expires:

1. Switch to the Graduate visa — for 2 years (18 months from January 2027) of unrestricted post-study work. See our Graduate visa guide.
2. Switch to Skilled Worker — if you have a sponsored job offer; the new-entrant reduced salary threshold applies.
3. Switch to a higher Student visa for further study (Master's after Bachelor's, PhD after Master's).
4. Switch to Spouse / Family if eligible.
5. Leave the UK and re-apply from outside.

Time on a Student visa does not count toward the 5/10 years needed for Indefinite Leave to Remain.

What happens if my application is refused?

You may have a right of appeal in some cases (mainly where Article 8 ECHR family-life grounds are engaged); most Student refusals carry only the Administrative Review remedy if the decision was a caseworker error.

Common refusal reasons:

• Inconsistent CAS details (course start date passed; tuition fee mismatch)
• Insufficient maintenance funds or wrong-format evidence
• ATAS certificate missing where required
• Doubts about credibility — interview answers inconsistent with stated study purpose
• Previous immigration history showing breaches

Refusals are noted on your immigration record and visible to all major Five Eyes immigration partners (US, Canada, Australia, NZ).

Sources

• gov.uk: Student visa
• gov.uk: Immigration Rules Appendix Student
• gov.uk: Visa fees
• gov.uk: ATAS scheme
• House of Commons Library: Migration statistics

Common questions

1. 01

   How much does a UK Student visa cost in 2026?

   The Student visa fee is £524 from outside the UK and £775 from inside, plus the Immigration Health Surcharge of £776 per year of study (discounted student rate). For a 3-year undergraduate degree, total cost is roughly £2,852 in fees and IHS, before tuition and living costs.

2. 02

   What is the financial requirement for a Student visa?

   You must show course fees for the first year (paid or remaining) plus living costs of £1,334 per month for up to 9 months if studying in London (£12,006 total) or £1,023 per month if studying outside London (£9,207 total). Funds must be held in your name (or your parents') for 28 consecutive days, ending no more than 31 days before applying.

3. 03

   What is a CAS and how do I get one?

   A Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) is a unique reference number your university generates after you accept an unconditional offer. It contains your course details, fees, qualifications used to admit you, and any conditions. It is valid for 6 months. You cannot apply for a Student visa without a CAS.

4. 04

   Can I work on a UK Student visa?

   Yes, with limits. Full-time degree students at universities can work up to 20 hours per week during term time and full-time during vacations. PhD students at universities can work full-time year-round. Foundation, college and language students typically have no work rights. You cannot be self-employed or take a permanent full-time role.

5. 05

   Can I bring my family on a Student visa?

   Only postgraduate research students (PhDs, research masters of 9+ months) and Foreign Office or government-sponsored students can bring dependants. The 2024 rule change removed dependant rights for taught Master's and undergraduate students. Each dependant has the same fee as the main applicant plus IHS at the £1,035/year adult rate.

6. 06

   What documents do I need for a UK Student visa?

   Valid passport, CAS reference number, financial evidence (bank statements showing the required maintenance for 28 days), academic qualifications listed on your CAS, English language certificate (if not exempt), TB test certificate from listed countries, ATAS certificate for sensitive subjects, and parental consent if you're under 18. Each document must match what's stated on the CAS.