Migration Overseas
Migration Overseas
Tier 4 (General) Student Visa

Study in the United Kingdom

Home to Oxford, Cambridge, and Imperial College - the UK offers world-class education with excellent post-study work opportunities through the 2-year Graduate Route.

150+
Universities
20
Hrs/Week Work
2 Yrs
Graduate Route

Visa Requirements

Key requirements to obtain a UK Student Visa (Tier 4).

CAS Letter

Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) from a licensed UK institution. Valid for 6 months from issue date. Contains your course and sponsor details.

English Proficiency

IELTS UKVI 6.0+ overall (minimum 5.5 in each band) for degree level. Higher requirements for some courses. PTE and TOEFL also accepted.

Financial Evidence

Show funds for tuition + living costs. London: £1,334/month, Outside: £1,023/month for 9 months. Funds held for 28+ days before application.

Valid Passport

Passport valid for entire course duration. Blank pages for visa stamp. Previous UK visa history (if any) will be considered.

TB Test Certificate

Tuberculosis test from approved clinic if applying from India. Valid for 6 months. Required for courses longer than 6 months.

IHS Payment

Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) - £776/year for students. Paid upfront for entire visa duration. Access to NHS healthcare.

Top UK Universities

Study at some of the world's most prestigious institutions.

QS #2

University of Cambridge

Cambridge, England

QS #3

University of Oxford

Oxford, England

QS #6

Imperial College London

London, England

QS #9

UCL

London, England

QS #27

University of Edinburgh

Edinburgh, Scotland

QS #32

University of Manchester

Manchester, England

QS #34

King's College London

London, England

QS #40

London School of Economics

London, England

Graduate Route Visa

Work in the UK for 2-3 years after completing your degree.

2-3 Years

Post-Study Work Rights

The Graduate Route allows international students who've completed a UK degree to stay and work (or look for work) at any skill level for 2 years (3 years for PhD graduates). No sponsorship required!

£822 Application Fee
8 Weeks Processing Time
No Cap Unlimited Grants
Any Job No Skill Level Required

Eligibility Requirements

  • Valid Student Visa at time of application
  • Studied in UK for minimum 12 months
  • Completed undergraduate, postgraduate, or PhD
  • University must be on approved sponsor list
  • Must apply from within UK
  • Must not have previously held Graduate Route visa
  • PhD students get 3 years instead of 2

Key Benefits

  • No sponsorship needed - work for any employer
  • Any skill level - no salary threshold
  • Self-employment allowed - start your business
  • Switch to Skilled Worker from UK
  • Bring dependents (if already in UK)
  • Travel freely in and out of UK
  • Count towards ILR (5-year settlement)

How to Apply

  • Apply online before Student Visa expires
  • Wait for university confirmation to UKVI
  • Pay application fee (£822) + IHS
  • Provide biometrics via UK Immigration ID Check app
  • No need to show financial evidence
  • No English test required
  • Decision usually within 8 weeks

Pathway to Settlement

  • Graduate Route does NOT lead directly to ILR
  • After 2 years, switch to Skilled Worker Visa
  • Skilled Worker requires employer sponsorship
  • After 5 years on qualifying visas → ILR eligible
  • Time on Graduate Route counts toward ILR
  • Many employers hire from Graduate Route pool
  • Build UK work experience for future visa

Graduate Salary Expectations

  • IT/Software Engineering £35-55K
  • Finance/Banking £40-60K
  • Engineering £30-45K
  • Healthcare £28-40K
  • Marketing/Media £25-35K

Important Notes

  • Can only be granted ONCE in lifetime
  • Cannot extend Graduate Route visa
  • Must apply BEFORE Student Visa expires
  • Distance learning courses NOT eligible
  • Franchised courses have restrictions
  • IHS still required (~£1,552 for 2 years)
  • No access to public funds

UCAS Application Timeline

Key dates and deadlines for undergraduate applications to UK universities.

September

UCAS applications open. Start researching courses and universities.

1
2

October 15

Oxford/Cambridge Deadline - Also Medicine, Dentistry, Veterinary courses.

January 31

Main Deadline - Equal consideration for all other courses.

3
4

February - May

Receive offers from universities. Accept or decline offers.

June 30

Late Applications - Applications after this go to Clearing.

5
6

July - September

Clearing Opens - Match unplaced students with available courses.

Personal Statement

4,000 characters max. Focus on WHY you want to study the course, relevant experiences, and future goals. No generic statements!

5 Choices

You can apply to up to 5 courses. Only 4 for Medicine/Dentistry/Veterinary. Choose a mix of aspirational and realistic options.

Application Fee

£27.50 for up to 5 choices (2026 entry). Payment by card or PayPal. International students apply through UCAS same as UK students.

Part-Time Work Opportunities

Work up to 20 hours per week during term time, full-time during holidays.

Work Rights Summary

  • Term Time: 20 hours/week maximum
  • Holidays: Full-time work allowed
  • Placement Year: Full-time if part of course
  • PhD Students: May have more flexibility
  • National Insurance number required
  • Cannot be self-employed or run business
  • No working as professional sportsperson

Popular Student Jobs

  • Retail Assistant £10-12/hr
  • Restaurant/Café Staff £11-14/hr
  • Library/Campus Work £11-13/hr
  • Tutoring £15-30/hr
  • IT/Tech Support £12-18/hr

National Minimum Wage (2026): £11.44/hr for 21+

Potential Earnings

Term Time (20 hrs/wk × 30 weeks):

~£6,000 - £7,200/year

Holidays (Full-time × 22 weeks):

~£6,000 - £8,000/year

Total Potential: £12,000 - £15,000/year (~₹12-15 Lakhs)

Where to Find Jobs

  • University Careers Service - Best first stop
  • Student Job Boards - StudentJob.co.uk
  • Indeed & Reed - Filter by part-time
  • LinkedIn - Growing student section
  • Campus Notice Boards - Local opportunities
  • Word of Mouth - Ask other students
  • Direct Applications - Walk into shops/cafés

Getting Your NI Number

  • Apply online at gov.uk after arriving
  • Free to apply - no fees
  • May need to attend interview
  • Takes 2-4 weeks typically
  • Can start work while waiting
  • Employer can use temporary number
  • Keep your NI number for life

Tax Information

  • Tax-free allowance: £12,570/year (2026)
  • Most students don't pay tax
  • 20% tax only on earnings above allowance
  • Can claim refund if overtaxed
  • Register for self-assessment if tutoring
  • Keep payslips for visa extensions
  • Tax year runs April to April

UK Study Intakes

Plan your UK study journey with our intake calendar. View application deadlines and course start dates.

Costs Breakdown

Understanding the financial requirements for studying in the UK.

Expense Category Amount (GBP) Notes
Visa Application Fee £490 Standard processing
Immigration Health Surcharge £776/year NHS healthcare access
Living Costs (London) £1,334/month Required for 9 months
Living Costs (Outside London) £1,023/month Required for 9 months
Tuition Fees (Undergraduate) £15,000 - £30,000/year Varies by course & university
Tuition Fees (Postgraduate) £18,000 - £45,000/year Higher for MBA/Medical
TB Test ~£100 From approved clinic
FREE TOOL

UK Study Cost Calculator

Get detailed expense breakdown for your study journey

Calculate

IHS Calculator

Calculate your Immigration Health Surcharge based on visa duration.

Immigration Health Surcharge

Required for NHS access during your stay

Access to NHS GP, hospitals & treatment

Paid upfront with visa application

Refundable if visa refused

Financial Documentation Tips

Prepare bulletproof financial documents for your UK Student Visa.

What You Need to Show

Tuition (1st Year)

Full Amount

Living (London)

£1,334/month × 9

Living (Outside London)

£1,023/month × 9

Funds Held For

28+ Days

Acceptable Documents

  • Bank Statements - From regulated bank
  • Bank Letter - On letterhead with balance
  • Fixed Deposits - With maturity details
  • Education Loan - Sanction letter
  • Scholarship Letter - If applicable
  • Sponsor Documents - If using sponsor
  • All documents must be dated within 31 days of application

The 28-Day Rule

  • Funds must be in account for minimum 28 consecutive days
  • 28 days end no earlier than 31 days before application
  • Balance should NEVER drop below required amount
  • Large recent deposits may raise questions
  • Show steady build-up of funds if possible
  • Same rules apply to sponsor's account
  • FD maturity date must be after application date

Credibility Interview Prep

  • Know your CAS: Course name, modules, duration
  • Know your funds: Where money comes from
  • Explain source: Salary? Savings? Loan? Property sale?
  • Sponsor details: Relationship, their income/job
  • Future plans: What after graduation?
  • Why UK: Why not study in India?
  • Be confident: Genuine students have nothing to hide

Common Interview Questions

  • "Why did you choose this university/course?"
  • "How will you fund your education?"
  • "What does your sponsor do for a living?"
  • "What are your plans after graduation?"
  • "Why UK and not another country?"
  • "What is your current occupation?"
  • "Do you have family in the UK?"

Red Flags to Avoid

  • Large unexplained deposits before 28-day period
  • Inconsistent information between documents
  • Multiple transfers between accounts
  • Sponsor's income doesn't match declared amount
  • Documents older than 31 days
  • Unable to explain source of funds
  • Borrowed funds from multiple sources

Pro Tips

  • Get bank letter AND statements - Both together
  • Convert to GBP - Show equivalent clearly
  • Maintain buffer - 10-15% extra for safety
  • Use single account - Consolidate if possible
  • Keep source trail - Loan sanction, salary slips
  • Sponsor letter - Notarized with relationship proof
  • Prepare early - Start saving 3-6 months before

If Using a Sponsor (Parent/Relative)

Required Documents:
  • Sponsor's bank statements (28+ days)
  • Sponsorship letter (notarized)
  • Relationship proof
  • Sponsor's income proof
Letter Should Include:
  • Full name and relationship
  • Statement of financial support
  • Contact details
  • Signature and date

Application Process

Your journey to studying in the UK.

1

Choose Course & University

Research universities on UCAS, check entry requirements, and apply through UCAS (undergraduate) or directly (postgraduate).

2

Receive Offer & CAS

Accept your offer, pay deposit if required, and receive your Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) from the university.

3

Prepare Documents

Gather passport, financial documents, English test scores, TB certificate, and academic transcripts.

4

Apply Online & Pay Fees

Complete online application, pay visa fee (£490) and IHS. Book biometrics appointment at VFS centre.

5

Biometrics & Interview

Attend VFS appointment for fingerprints and photo. Answer questions about your study plans if asked.

6

Visa Decision (3-8 weeks)

Standard processing 3 weeks. Priority service available for faster processing. Receive passport with vignette.

Scholarships for Indian Students

Prestigious scholarship opportunities to fund your UK education.

Chevening Scholarships

UK Government's flagship scholarship. Fully funded Master's degree including tuition, living costs, and flights. Highly competitive - for future leaders.

Full Funding

Commonwealth Scholarships

For Master's and PhD students from India. Covers tuition, airfare, and monthly stipend. For those with strong academics and leadership potential.

Full Funding

University Scholarships

Most UK universities offer merit-based scholarships. Oxford, Cambridge, Imperial, LSE have specific awards for international students.

£2,000 - £20,000

GREAT Scholarships

Jointly funded by British Council and UK universities. Specifically for Indian students pursuing postgraduate courses at partner universities.

£10,000+

Research Council Funding

UKRI, AHRC, EPSRC offer funding for PhD research. Covers tuition and provides stipend. Available at research-intensive universities.

Full PhD Funding

Charles Wallace India Trust

For Indian professionals and academics in arts, heritage, and humanities. Supports short-term research and professional visits to UK.

Varies

Fund Your UK Education

Trusted financial partners to help finance your studies.

Education Loans

HDFC Credila, SBI, Axis Bank - Up to 100% financing for UK universities.

Barclays UK Account

Open UK bank account from India before arrival. Student account with no fees.

Forex Services

Best GBP rates with BookMyForex, Thomas Cook, Niyo forex cards.

Financial Documents

Help with bank statements, loan letters, and sponsor documents for visa.

View All Financial Services & Partners

Frequently Asked Questions

Find answers to the most common questions about this visa category.

What is the UK Student visa?

The Student visa (formerly Tier 4) allows you to study full-time courses at licensed student sponsors in the UK for programs longer than 6 months.

What is a CAS?

Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies is an electronic reference number from your UK educational institution confirming your place. You need a CAS to apply for student visa.

How much funds do I need to show?

You need to show course fees (at least first year) plus living costs: £1,334/month in London, £1,023/month outside London, for up to 9 months.

Can I work while studying?

Yes, typically 20 hours/week during term time and full-time during vacations for undergraduate/postgraduate courses. Some restrictions apply.

What is the Graduate route?

The Graduate route allows you to stay for 2 years (3 years for PhD) after completing eligible courses to work or look for work without sponsorship.

What English level is required?

Requirements vary by course level: CEFR B1 for foundation, B2 for undergraduate/postgraduate taught, C1 for postgraduate research. Check with your institution.

Can my family come with me?

Dependents can only accompany students on postgraduate courses 9+ months or government-sponsored courses. Partners get work rights.

What is ATAS?

Academic Technology Approval Scheme clearance is required for certain sensitive subjects before applying for student visa. Check if your course requires it.

How long before can I arrive in UK?

You can arrive up to 1 week before course start if course is 6 months or less, or up to 1 month before if course is longer than 6 months.

Can student visa lead to settlement?

Student visa time doesn't count toward settlement. However, switching to Graduate route then Skilled Worker visa can lead to settlement after 5 years.

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