🎓 UK Careers Guide Unlock full site – £3.50

Last updated: 31 Oct 2026 · Facts checked against official sources on 31 Oct 2026

General information, not legal advice. Rules change often – always confirm on gov.uk. For advice use an OISC-registered adviser or an SRA-regulated solicitor.

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Student (Master’s, PhD or further study)

Eligibility

An unconditional offer (CAS) from a licensed student sponsor, money to support yourself, English at the required level. Dependants only for PhD/research-based postgraduate courses or government-sponsored students (courses starting from 1 Jan 2024). Work up to 20 hours/week in term at degree level.

Key facts (checked 31 Oct 2026)

ItemDetail
Sponsor needed?Yes – a licensed student sponsor (university) issues a CAS
Salary thresholdNone. Show maintenance: £1,529/month (London) or £1,171/month (elsewhere) for up to 9 months; £1,570 / £1,203 for applications from 30 Nov 2026 (HC 584)
Fees + IHS£558 + IHS £776 per year
Length of stayCourse length + extra time (12+ month course: up to 1 month before and 4 months after)
ProcessingUsually 3 weeks (outside UK), 8 weeks (inside UK)
Switch in UK?Yes from most visas; restrictions apply (see gov.uk)
Route to ILRNo direct route; time may count towards long-residence rules only in limited cases – check gov.uk

What changed in October 2026 (checked 31 Oct 2026)

Announced in Budget 2026 (28 Oct 2026) — proposed, NOT yet law. No Statement of Changes has been laid yet. Do not plan on these until gov.uk confirms:
  • Salary rules “from spring 2027”: occupation going rates cut from the median to the 25th percentile; general threshold re-based on 2026 wage data (no new figure given); annual updates; one single new-entrant discount; PhD discount removed.
  • HPI widened to graduates of the top 150 global institutions, with a larger cap. No new list has been published; the latest official list is still 2025.
  • Graduate visa kept at 2 years for graduates of “high-compliance universities with strong labour market outcomes”. No list of those universities published yet.
  • Up to 6 months to find a new job for the highest-skilled sponsored workers (2027).

Sources: HC 584, explanatory memorandum, Budget 2026.

What you can and cannot do, how long you can stay (official)

When to apply

When you can apply depends on whether you’re applying from inside or outside the UK.

Applying from outside the UK

The earliest you can apply for a visa is 6 months before you start your course.

Applying from inside the UK

The earliest you can apply is 3 months before your course starts.

You must apply before your current visa expires. Your new course must begin within 28 days of your current visa expiring.

How long it takes to get a decision

You’ll usually get a decision on your visa within:

You may be able to pay to get a faster decision - you’ll be told if you can when you apply.

Source: GOV.UK – Overview

How long you can stay

How long you can stay depends on the length of your course and what study you’ve already completed in the UK.

If you’re 18 or over and your course is at degree level, you can usually stay in the UK for up to 5 years. If it’s below degree level, you can usually stay in the UK for up to 2 years.

Read the guidance to find out exactly how long you can stay.

Staying longer in the UK

You may be able to:

A Graduate visa will allow you to stay in the UK after successfully completing your course for:

It will allow you to stay for 3 years if you completed a PhD or other doctoral qualification.

When you can travel to the UK

You can arrive before your course starts. This can be either:

You must not travel to the UK before the start date given on your visa, no matter when your course starts.

Source: GOV.UK – Overview

What you can and cannot do

You can:

You may be able to work - how much depends on what you’re studying and whether you’re working in or out of term-time.

You cannot:

If your application is successful, you’ll be told what you can and cannot do on a Student visa.

Source: GOV.UK – Overview

Full eligibility criteria (official)

Your course

You must have an unconditional offer of a place on a course with a licensed student sponsor.

To prove this, your education provider will send you a reference number (called a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS)) once they’ve offered you a place on the course. You need a CAS before you can apply for your visa.

Courses you can study

You can do one of the following courses on the Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF):

You may also need an Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) certificate if you’re studying or researching sensitive topics at RQF level 7 or above.

You can do an English language course at level B2 or above in the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages.

You can also apply for this visa if you’re taking up a full-time elected position as a Student Union Sabbatical Officer.

The qualification levels are different in Scotland.

Your Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS)

Once they’ve offered you a place on the course, your education provider will send you a reference number called a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies.

You must enter this reference number on your visa application.

You must apply for your visa within 6 months of receiving your CAS.

Source: GOV.UK – Your course (checked 31 Oct 2026)

Money you need

You must have enough money to pay for your course and support yourself in the UK.

How much money you need depends on your circumstances and what you’re applying for.

Course fee

You need enough money to pay for your course for 1 academic year (up to 9 months). The amount you need to pay will be on your Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS).

If you’ve been in the UK with a valid visa for at least 12 months, you do not need to prove you have this money for your visa application.

Money to support yourself (‘financial requirement’)

You’ll need to show you have enough money to support yourself - unless you’ve been in the UK with a valid visa for at least 12 months on the date of your application.

How much money you need depends on where you will be studying. You’ll need either:

If you’re boarding at a residential independent school, you’ll need to pay boarding fees instead. The amount you need to pay will be on your CAS.

London means the City of London and the 32 London boroughs.

You’ll need to prove you have extra money for each family member you bring with you.

You must have this money for at least 28 days in a row. The end date of the 28-day period must be within 31 days of the date you apply for your visa.

Example

If you submit your application on 1 January, you’d have to show that the funds were in your bank account for at least the 28-day period ending on 1 December.

If you have a student loan or financial sponsorship, you’ll need to provide evidence of this from your loan or sponsorship company.

Read the guidance on finances for student applications for more information about the money you need and how to prove it.

When you do not need to prove you have money to support yourself

You do not need to prove that you meet the financial requirement if either:

If you’re from a country listed under the ‘differential evidence requirement’

You do not need to prove you have enough money to support yourself if you’re a British national overseas or from one of the following countries or territories:

However, you might be asked to provide this evidence before you get a decision on your application.

If you do need to provide it, you’ll be contacted by UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) after you’ve submitted your application.

Read the guidance on finances for student applications for more information about the money you need and how to prove it.

Source: GOV.UK – Money you need (checked 31 Oct 2026)

Knowledge of English

You’ll usually need to prove your knowledge of the English language when you apply.

Who does not need to prove their knowledge of English

You do not need to prove your knowledge of English if you’re from one of the following countries or territories, or you’ve completed a qualification equivalent to a UK degree in one of them:

You also do not need to prove your knowledge of English if one of the following applies:

How to prove your knowledge of English

You can prove it in one of the following ways:

If you have a UK school qualification

You can prove your knowledge of English if you have a qualification from a UK school that you began when you were under 18. You must have one of the following qualifications:

If you have a degree from a UK institution

You can prove your knowledge of English if you have a degree-level qualification that was both:

If you have a degree from an institution outside the UK

If your degree was taught in English and was not awarded by a UK institution, you’ll need to apply for an assessment from Ecctis.

Ecctis will give you a code to confirm that your qualification is equivalent to a UK bachelor’s degree or higher and was taught in English.

Passing an English test

If you do not have any qualifications that prove your knowledge of English, you will need to pass a Secure English Language Test (SELT) from an approved provider.

You must prove you can read, write, speak and understand English to a certain level on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) scale.

What you’re studying Level
Degree level or above Equivalent to CEFR level B2
Below degree level CEFR level B1

If you’re studying with a Higher Education Provider

If you’re studying at degree level or above, your Higher Education Provider (HEP) can assess your level of English themselves. This means they may ask you to do a different test.

This must still be equivalent to a CEFR level B2.

Source: GOV.UK – Knowledge of English (checked 31 Oct 2026)

Documents checklist (official)

Documents you'll need to apply

When you apply for your Student visa you must provide:

You may also need to provide:

You may need to provide additional documents depending on your circumstances. Read the guidance for the full list of documents you’ll need to provide.

If you’re under 18

If you’re under 18 you’ll need written consent from both parents or legal guardians (or one parent if they have sole responsibility).

This must include their consent for:

You’ll also need to provide a copy of your birth certificate (or another government issued document) that shows the names of your parents.

Source: GOV.UK – Documents you'll need to apply (checked 31 Oct 2026)

How to apply, step by step (official)

Apply online

You must apply online for a Student visa.

Check which documents you’ll need to apply.

Apply outside the UK

As part of your application, you’ll need to prove your identity. How you do this depends on where you’re from and what type of passport you have.

You’ll either:

You’ll be told what you need to do when you apply.

If you do need an appointment:

Once you’ve started your application, you can save your form and complete it later.

Start now

How long it takes to get a decision

You’ll usually get a decision within 3 weeks.

You may be able to pay to get a faster decision.

Apply inside the UK

You may be able to apply to:

How long it takes to get a decision

You’ll usually get a decision within 8 weeks.

You may be able to pay to get a faster decision.

After you apply

You’ll be contacted if your application is complex and will take longer, for example because:

If you need to change something in your application after you’ve sent it contact UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI).

You can ask to withdraw your application by contacting UKVI. Your fee will only be refunded if UKVI has not started processing your application.

If your application is successful

You’ll get an eVisa (a digital record of your identity and immigration status).

Your decision email or letter will tell you how to get access to your eVisa. You’ll need to create a UKVI account.

Source: GOV.UK – Apply online (checked 31 Oct 2026)

Partner and children (official)

Your partner and children

Your partner and children (‘dependants’) may be able to apply to come to the UK or stay longer in the UK.

You must be one of the following:

If your postgraduate level course starts on or after 1 January 2024, it must be either:

Your dependants

A dependant partner or child is one of the following:

You’ll need to provide evidence of your relationship when you apply, for example:

Find out what other documents you can use to prove your relationship.

Your child

You’ll need to prove that your child is both:

You’ll need to provide 2 of the following documents confirming their address:

If your child pays you rent or upkeep, you’ll need to give details.

Money they need to support themselves

Your partner and child must each have a certain amount of money available to them. This is in addition to the money you must have to support yourself.

How much money they need depends on where you will be studying. They must have either:

If you’re applying at the same time as your partner or child (you’re applying together as a family), you’ll need to prove you have both money to pay for your course and to support yourself and additional money for each of them.

If your partner or child is applying at a different time to you (they’re applying separately) they only need to prove they have money to support themselves.

You (or your partner or child) must have this money for at least 28 consecutive days. The end date of the 28 day period must be within 31 days of the date they apply for their visa.

If you have a student loan or financial sponsorship, you’ll need to provide evidence of this from your loan or sponsorship company. If your loan does not cover your partner or child, you’ll need to prove you have money to support them instead.

When they do not need to prove they have money to support themselves

Your partner or child does not need to prove they have this money if they’ve been in the UK with a valid visa for at least 12 months.

If you and your partner or child are from a country listed under the ‘differential evidence requirement’ and you’re applying at the same time, they do not need to prove they have money to support themselves.

However, they might be asked to provide this evidence before they get a decision on their application.

If they do need to provide it, they’ll be contacted by UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) after they’ve submitted their application.

Apply outside the UK

Your partner and children must either:

They’ll need your application number - you get it when you apply. This number is called a Global Web Form (GWF) or a Unique Application Number (UAN). You’ll find it on emails and letters from the Home Office about your application.

Proving their identity

As part of their application, your partner and children will need to prove their identity.

They’ll either:

They’ll be told what they need to do when they apply.

If they need an appointment:

They may be able to pay to get their visa faster or use other services depending on which country they’re in - check with the visa application centre.

How long they can stay

If their application is successful, their visa will end on the same date as yours.

Apply inside the UK to extend or switch

Your partner or child can apply to extend or switch their visa either:

This includes children who have turned 18 during your stay.

Your partner or child cannot apply to switch in the UK if they have one of the following visas:

Fees

Each person will need to pay:

Source: GOV.UK – Your partner and children (checked 31 Oct 2026)

Extending, switching and changing job (official)

Extend your visa

You may be able to extend your Student visa to stay longer and continue your course or study a new course. This includes if you currently have a Tier 4 (General) student visa.

To extend your visa you must:

If you’ve been in the UK with a valid visa for less than 12 months, you’ll need to prove you have enough money to support yourself in the UK.

Your partner or children will need to apply separately to extend their visa. They can either apply at the same time as you, or at any time before their current visa expires.

You can also switch to a Graduate visa. This will allow you to stay in the UK after successfully completing your course for:

It will allow you to stay for 3 years if you completed a PhD or other doctoral qualification.

Showing academic progress

If you’re currently studying in the UK, you’ll usually need to show your studies will be at a higher academic level than your current course.

Your new course must be one of the following:

You do not need to show your studies are at a higher level if you’re doing one of the following:

Read the guidance for more information about when you need to prove your studies are at a higher level.

If you’re applying to work in the UK

You can get a CAS if you’re applying to work as a student union sabbatical officer.

When to apply

The earliest you can apply is 3 months before your course starts.

You must apply before your current visa expires. Your new course must begin within 28 days of your current visa expiring.

For example, if your visa expires on 1 December, you must apply for a new visa before 1 December. Your new course must begin by 29 December.

You must also apply within 6 months of getting a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS).

You can stay in the UK until you get your decision.

If you applied for an administrative review because your application was refused, you can stay in the UK until you get your review decision.

Fees

For each person, you’ll need to pay:

You’ll need to have your fingerprints and a photo (biometric information) taken - there’s no fee for this.

Apply

You must apply online.

As part of your application you’ll need to prove your identity. How you do this depends on where you’re from and the type of passport or resident permit you have.

You’ll either:

You’ll be told what you need to do when you apply.

Start now

You must not travel outside of the UK, Ireland, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man until you get a decision. Your application will be withdrawn if you do.

How long it takes to get a decision

A decision will usually be made within 8 weeks.

You may be able to pay to get a faster decision - you’ll be told if you can when you apply.

After you apply

You’ll be contacted if your application is complex and will take longer, for example because:

If you need to change something in your application after you’ve sent it contact UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI).

You can ask to withdraw your application by contacting UKVI. Your fee will only be refunded if UKVI has not started processing your application.

Source: GOV.UK – Extend your visa (checked 31 Oct 2026)

Switch to this visa

You may be able to switch to a Student visa if you already have permission to be in the UK.

You cannot switch to this visa if you have one of the following visas:

If you have settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme, you do not need to apply for a visa.

Eligibility

To switch to a Student visa you must:

If you’ve been in the UK with a valid visa for less than 12 months, you’ll need to prove you have enough money to support yourself in the UK.

Your partner or children will need to apply separately to switch their visa. They can either apply at the same time as you, or at any time before their current visa expires.

When to apply

The earliest you can apply is 3 months before your course starts.

You must apply before your current visa expires. Your new course must begin within 28 days of your current visa expiring.

For example, if your visa expires on 1 December, you must apply for a new visa before 1 December. Your new course must begin by 29 December.

You must also apply within 6 months of getting a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS).

You can stay in the UK until you get your decision.

If you applied for an administrative review because your application was refused, you can stay in the UK until you get your review decision.

Fees

For each person, you’ll need to pay:

You’ll need to have your fingerprints and a photo (biometric information) taken - there’s no fee for this.

Apply

You must apply online.

As part of your application you’ll need to prove your identity.

How you do this depends on where you’re from and the type of passport you have.

You’ll either:

You’ll be told what you need to do when you apply.

Start now

You must not travel outside of the UK, Ireland, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man until you get a decision. Your application will be withdrawn if you do.

How long it takes to get a decision

A decision will usually be made within 8 weeks.

You may be able to pay to get a faster decision.

After you apply

You’ll be contacted if your application is complex and will take longer, for example because:

If you need to change something in your application after you’ve sent it contact UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI).

You can ask to withdraw your application by contacting UKVI. Your fee will only be refunded if UKVI has not started processing your application.

If your application is successful

You’ll get an eVisa (a digital record of your identity and immigration status).

Your decision email or letter will tell you how to get access to your eVisa. You’ll need to create a UKVI account.

Source: GOV.UK – Switch to this visa (checked 31 Oct 2026)

Processing times and faster decisions (official)

Standard: Usually 3 weeks (outside UK), 8 weeks (inside UK) (GOV.UK visa processing times).

Source: GOV.UK – Get a faster decision on your visa or settlement application (checked 31 Oct 2026)

How the application works (official)

  1. Check eligibility and gather documents (sections above). Sponsored routes: get your CoS/CAS reference first; endorsed routes: get your endorsement first.
  2. Apply online on GOV.UK and pay the fee and Immigration Health Surcharge (if it applies) – IHS.
  3. Prove your identity: either the UK Immigration: ID Check app (if offered) or an appointment at a visa application centre (outside the UK) or UKVCAS service point (inside the UK) for fingerprints and photo.
  4. Upload documents and wait for the decision. Do not travel or leave the UK before a decision if applying from inside the UK – it can withdraw your application.
  5. Your permission is issued as an eVisa in your UKVI account; physical BRPs are no longer issued. Link your passport to it and use share codes to prove your rights – GOV.UK eVisas.

Path to settlement (ILR) and citizenship

No direct route; time may count towards long-residence rules only in limited cases – check gov.uk.

Citizenship normally needs ILR (or settled status) held for 12 months – or immediately if married to a British citizen – plus the residence, absences, good character, Life in the UK test (£50) and English B1 requirements. See GOV.UK – Settle in the UK and GOV.UK – Citizenship if you have ILR.

Budget 2026 (28 Oct 2026) and earned-settlement proposals are announced, not yet law. The settlement rules above are those on GOV.UK on 31 Oct 2026 (latest Statement of Changes: HC 584, 3 Sep 2026).
Fees and IHS change every year (usually April). Check the linked gov.uk page before you pay.

Sources