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• Graduate visa (post-study)
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Permission to stay under the Graduate route will enable international students to work or look for work after their studies for 2 years, or 3 years for PhD students. The work can be in any sector and at any level without any minimum salary requirements or the need for visa sponsorship.

Students studying on a Tier 4/Student visa will need to make an application in the UK to be granted permission under the route after successful completion of their degree. There are specific eligibility requirements so you are advised to read the information on this page in full.

It is possible to work full-time on your Tier 4/Student visa after you have completed your course and whilst it remains valid, but with some restrictions on the type of work you can do. Information is outlined on our Working on a student visa webpage.

To be eligible to apply for a Graduate visa, you will need to:

• hold a current Tier 4/Student visa;

Not all courses at Cambridge are eligible for student visa sponsorship and therefore will not be eligible for the Graduate route. This includes most part-time taught courses which are supported under the visitor route.

• have studied a Bachelors, Masters, PGCE, or PhD at Cambridge;

Advanced Diploma, and other non-degree awarding qualifications except the PGCE, are not eligible to apply for a Graduate visa.

• have successfully completed your degree;

You are considered to have successfully completed your degree for the purpose of applying for the Graduate visa once you have received your final results and your record is updated to reflect completion. It does not mean you need to have attended a graduation ceremony. Completion for PhD students is unconditional approval, which is normally submission of the hardbound and e-thesis.

You need to have completed the degree for which your Tier 4/Student visa was granted, unless it is a change permitted under student visa policy. Students who have a Tier 4/Student visa for a four year Integrated Masters course are eligible to apply for the Graduate visa if they successfully complete their studies and exit with the Bachelors qualification and will not be proceeding to the fourth year, or after completing the fourth year. Integrated Master students are not able to apply for the Graduate visa based on successful completion of the Bachelors qualification if continuing studies in the fourth year

Following the update of your student record to reflect completion, you will need to wait until you have received an email from the International Student Office confirming UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) has been notified of your successful completion before you can apply for the Graduate visa. Prior to the International Student Office notifying UKVI, your record will be reviewed to confirm you still hold a valid Tier 4/Student visa. Also see the section on 'When can I apply?'.

Masters students who do not complete all the required assessment (i.e. final submission or exam) by the original end date in their CAS should contact the International Student Office to check whether they are still eligible for the Graduate visa as this may depend on whether final results will be received prior to their current visa expiry.

• have studied for a minimum period of time in the UK on a Tier 4/Student visa;

The minimum period of study for the Graduate visa is at least 12 months OR the full length of your course, whichever is shorter. Permitted 'study abroad' activities (i.e. activities that are undertaken overseas as part of a course) or time spent overseas during permitted breaks from study such as during official vacation periods or at the weekend can be included in the minimum period.

The minimum period of study can be undertaken on more than one Tier 4/Student visa if granted to study the same qualification at the University.

If you switch to a student visa from another immigration category during your course, you would not be eligible for a Graduate visa unless you will have studied for the minimum required time as outlined above on the most recent Tier 4/Student visa prior to completion. If you are switching from another immigration category to start your studies at Cambridge, you can include the time whilst the application is pending in the minimum study period.

• provide a letter of consent if financially sponsored by a Government or international scholarship agency;

If you had been awarded a scholarship or received financial sponsorship by a government or international scholarship agency covering both course fees and living costs for your studies, you must provide a letter from the sponsor organisation as a supporting document with the application giving their consent for you to apply for further permission to stay in the UK under the Graduate visa.

• apply in the UK within the validity of your current Tier 4/Student visa.

You can only apply for the Graduate visa from within the UK, and should do so prior to your current Tier 4/Student visa expiring following the email from the International Student Office confirming your successful course completion has been reported to UKVI. Read the information for students on the marking and assessment boycott  to understand the potential implications of a delay to receiving confirmation of successful course completion and eligibility for the Graduate visa. 

Permission under the Graduate route will be granted subject to the following conditions:

• any work in the UK (including paid and unpaid, self-employment, engaging in business or any professional activity) is permitted. The only restriction is a prohibition on working as a professional sportsperson or coach;
• study is restricted on this visa and is only permitted on courses that would not meet the requirements for student visa sponsorship. If you are continuing to further study at Cambridge, or at another institution, and plan to apply for the Graduate visa, you should first check whether it will be possible for you to study on your chosen course under this visa;
• no access to public funds.

The permission granted under the Graduate route, 2 years for undergraduate and Masters students and 3 years for PhD students, will start from when the decision is made on the application.  

It is not possible to extend your permission under the Graduate route once granted. From the Graduate route, you would be able to switch to a Skilled Worker visa from within the UK if you are offered a suitable job with an employer who holds a sponsor licence.

It is only possible to be granted permission under the Graduate route once. You cannot apply again, for example, if you were to undertake another course of study.

Whilst an application for the Graduate visa is pending, the working conditions of your student visa will continue to apply. The only exception to this is if you applied for your current student visa after 6 April 2022, in which case you are able to start a full-time permanent vacancy once you have successfully completed your course and submitted the new Graduate visa application. This is otherwise not possible as a student visa does not permit filling a full-time permanent vacancy. Students on a part-time student visa are not permitted to work until they have obtained the Graduate visa. 

You should only make your application once the University has notified UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) that you have successfully completed your degree. This is in accordance with the Graduate route visa policy.  The International Student Office will make this report to UKVI after you have received your final results and your University record has been updated to reflect completion. Please note it can take several weeks after you have received your results for your University record to be updated. The International Student Office is not directly involved in the process of updating student records so we request that you do not contact our office to ask when this will happen unless it is close to your current visa expiry date. The International Student Office will confirm to you when the report has been made to UKVI and you will receive this by email to the email address on your student record. Do not submit your Graduate visa application until you have received this email .

You will need to apply in the UK whilst your current Tier 4/Student visa is still valid and cannot travel overseas until you have received the outcome of your application, and your new BRP if applicable (see section below titled eVisa).

If your visa expires after you have applied to the Graduate route, you will be permitted to remain in the UK whilst your application is being considered under the conditions of your Tier 4/Student permission until you have received the outcome of your Graduate visa application. 

The visa application fee is £822. In addition, the application will also require you to pay the immigration health surcharge and this is charged at £1035 per year the visa will be granted (£2070 for 2 years and, for PhD students, £3105 for 3 years).

You make an application online .

As part of the application you will need to confirm your identity. Most applicants will be able to do this using the ‘UK Immigration: ID Check’ app. Once you have created a UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) account, you will be asked to download the app to a smart phone. The app will be used to confirm your identity by scanning your BRP, or if you are an EEA or Swiss national by scanning your passport. You will be given instructions on how to use the app in the application. It is free and compatible with Android phones and iPhone 7 or newer models. If you do not own a compatible phone, you can use the app from a friend’s mobile phone as no information is stored on the phone or app after you close it.

If you cannot use the app, you will need to book an in-person appointment for biometric enrolment. This includes students who applied for their current student visa in the UK and it was issued as a digital status with no BRP (this does not apply to EEA and Swiss nationals who can use their passport with the app instead of a BRP). 

As part of the application:

• You will need your passport and current Tier4/Student BRP to apply.
• You will need to know the CAS number you used to support your Tier 4/student visa application. This will be included in the email notification sent to you once the successful completion of your degree has been reported to UKVI. 
• You will need a letter of consent if you have been financially sponsored for your studies by a Government or international scholarship agency.
• There will be no requirement to provide financial evidence with the application.

The advertised decision timeframe is 8 weeks from when you submit your application.

Please note that once you have made your application, you cannot travel overseas until you have been notified of the decision.

When granted, the visa will be issued as a digital status, also called an eVisa.

The digital status will enable you to prove your right to live and work in the UK online .

Visa nationals (i.e. nationalities who require entry clearance prior to travel to the UK as a visitor) will also be issued a new Biometric Resident Permit (BRP). It is likely this will need to be shown in order to travel to the UK whilst your Graduate visa is valid. Visa nationals are therefore advised to wait to receive the new BRP once the visa has been granted before travelling overseas.

If you cannot use the app as part of the application, and need to enrol your biometrics at an in-person appointment, you will also be issued a Biometric Residence Permit (BRP).

When you set up your UKVI account to apply for this visa you will use your BRP to verify your identity, unless you are an EEA or Swiss national. UKVI advises that once you have received your eVisa, you should sign back into your UKVI account using the information on your BRP but then change the main ‘sign-in’ document to your current passport. This is to ensure you can continue to access your UKVI account easily and should also ensure that you avoid unnecessary delays when travelling in and out of the UK. If you renew your passport, you should sign in and update these details in your UKVI account.

Dependant family members in the UK who already have immigration permission as a Tier 4 or Student dependant can apply for further permission to stay as a dependant under the Graduate route.

Children born in the UK do not need to have been granted a dependant visa under Tier 4 or the Student route but they must have been born in the UK during the student’s most recent Tier 4 or student visa.

Further information about dependant eligibility is outlined on the  UKVI website .

Read the information on the  UKVI webpages  and their  Graduate immigration route guide .

If you have any questions about the Graduate route contact the  International Student Office.

Immigration rules and policy are subject to change. These webpages are updated as soon as possible following any changes but relevant pages of the Home Office website should be checked for the latest information. The International Student Office can only provide information and advise on current policy; it is not possible to speculate on future immigration changes or developments in relation to post-study visa options.

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• Applying for a PhD in the UK

Written by Mark Bennett

Planning on applying for a PhD in the UK? This guide covers what’s required to get onto a UK PhD programme and how to submit your application.

UK universities

There are over 150 universities in the UK. The vast majority are public universities , meaning that they receive funding (including budgets for PhD studentships) from the UK Government. All British universities are free to pursue their own research objectives, but the amount of funding each institution receives is partly based on regular assessments of its performance as part of the Research Excellence Framework (REF) .

A small number of private universities also operate in the UK. They tend to specialise in specific subjects, such as Business or Law.

UK countries

The four parts of the UK each have slightly different higher education systems:

• England is home to the majority of the UK's universities, including the two oldest ( Oxford and Cambridge )
• Scotland is home to 15 of the UK's universities, including four 'ancient universities' ( St Andrews , Glasgow , Aberdeen and Edinburgh ) dating from the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries
• Wales has eight universities, all of which are public institutions, dating from the nineteenth and twentieth centuries
• Northern Ireland has two universities, each of which operates multiple campuses

The governments of each part of the UK have powers to decide on higher education policy, including fees and funding. But, in practice, PhD research works pretty similarly across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. The country that's best for you will depend on the research opportunities available at specific universities.

UK university groups

Some UK universities are organised – officially or unofficially – into different groups. Here are some of the more common ones you may come across, together with what they mean:

• The Russell Group is an association of 24 universities across the UK. The group is self-selecting (it decides on its own members) and positions itself as representing the country's leading research universities. In practice this is broadly accurate as the Russell Group includes some of the best ranked British universities and – perhaps more importantly – awards the majority of UK PhDs.
• The ancient universities are a group of seven institutions that date from the sixteenth century or earlier, including Oxford , Cambridge , St Andrews , Glasgow , Aberdeen and Edinburgh as well as Trinity College Dublin (in Ireland ). 'Membership' of this group isn't based on anything other than chronology (unsurprisingly, new universities can't join) and the ancient universities don't collaborate as such, though some are members of the Russell Group. Of more importance is the fact that some ancient universities award their doctorates as a DPhil rather than a PhD. The degree and its recognition are fundamentally the same.
• The red brick universities are another informal grouping based on history rather than collective organisation. They include nine civic universities founded during the nineteenth-century industrial revolution with the aim of providing education and training for their cities. In contrast to the medieval buildings of the ancient universities, their campuses were built largely from red brick – hence the name.
• The term 'post-92' is sometimes used to describe universities that were originally polytechnics (higher education institutions focussing on teaching and training rather than research) before being granted full university status in 1992. Many of these 'ex-poly' universities actually have long and proud histories and are now some of the UK's most innovative research centres.

There are a few other formal and informal groups, including 'plate glass' universities (founded in the 1960s – the UK has a thing for associating universities with building materials) as well as membership organisations for newer universities such as MillionPlus and GuildHE.

You don't generally need to worry about which group your prospective university is or isn't part of. It's true that some groupings confer a degree of prestige, but universities are invited into the Russell Group because of their research performance and reputation, not the other way around. There are also many excellent universities which haven't chosen to join particular associations.

Accreditation and research quality

The UK takes quality assurance for universities very seriously, with several levels of official recognition and accreditation.

The right to use a university title is protected by law in the UK and can be granted by royal charter, Act of Parliament or similarly official means.

The right to award degrees is also protected. A university must either be a 'recognised body', in which case it can award its own degrees. Or it must be a 'listed body' in which case a recognised body must award degrees on its behalf (listed bodies are often newer universities or specialist colleges with qualifications accredited by more established neighbouring universities).

You can use the UK Government website to quickly check if a university is officially recognised .

UK universities' research quality is separately monitored through an exercise known as the Research Excellence Framework (REF) . This examines the research a university is producing as well as its impact on society in general. The environment and support provided for PhD students is also considered as part of this process. The most recent REF results were published in 2021.

UK university cities

There are excellent universities located across the UK, from London and the South of England to the Scottish Highlands and Islands . With that said, here are a few of the UK's most popular student cities:

• Study in London
• Study in Edinburgh
• Study in Manchester
• Study in Cardiff
• Study in Birmingham
• Study in Sheffield

How to apply for a PhD in the UK

You should apply directly to a university for a place on a UK PhD project or programme. There are two ways to do this:

• Some PhD projects are advertised by universities with set aims and objectives. These are most common in STEM subjects and often have funding attached. You can browse UK PhD adverts here on FindAPhD.
• Other PhD projects are designed by students who put forward a research proposal for the work they would like to do. These are more common in Arts, Humanities and some Social Science subjects. You can browse UK PhD programmes to apply within here on FindAPhD.

It's often a good idea to contact a prospective PhD supervisor before applying, but this isn't usually a necessary step. Universities will usually pair students with the most appropriate supervisor for their project.

We’ve written dedicated guides to applying for a PhD in the Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences , as well as STEM subjects.

Admissions requirements

You will normally need the following to be accepted for a PhD in the UK:

• A suitable undergraduate degree (equivalent to a UK 2.1 or higher). A Masters may also be required in some subject areas.
• Evidence of language proficiency (if English is not your first language).
• Evidence that you possess the necessary materials to gain a UK student visa (for international students).
• Other application materials including a research proposal , personal statement or references .

Actual requirements vary between projects and programmes.

Not all UK PhD applications require a formal interview , but this is more common for funded positions or programmes with limited space.

Interviews can often be conducted online. You may be asked to answer some questions about your application and / or give a short presentation on your intended research.

Inidan qualifications in the UK

In July 2022, the UK and Indian governments signed a memoradum agreeing to automatically recognise undergraduate and postgraduate qualifications in each other's countries. This means that if you studied your Bachelors or Masters in India and are now applying for a UK PhD, your qualifications will recognised as equivalent to British ones.

It also means that it will be easier for you to seek work in India with a PhD from a UK university!

Find a PhD in the UK

Why not get started browsing some UK PhDs ? Alternatively, you can look at our other guides to studying a PhD abroad .

Our postgrad newsletter shares courses, funding news, stories and advice

You may also like....

The seven UK Research Councils provide government studentships for PhD research in different subject areas. Our simple guide explains how this funding works, what you can get and how to apply successfully.

You may be able to get a PhD loan of up to £27,892 for a UK doctorate. Our guide explains eligibility, applications and repayments.

Our guide explains the best ways to fund international PhD study in the UK, with information on all the main scholarships available to you.

Centres for Doctoral Training (CDTs) or Doctoral Training Centres (DTCs) provide UK Research Council funded PhD studentships to postgraduate students

Looking for the best universities for PhDs in Agriculture in the UK? Compare ranking tables from top sources here, along with their methodologies.

The Turing Scheme is the UK Government's initiative to replace the Erasmus programme. We've explained how it works and what is on offer for students.

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UK Graduate Visa Guide

Welcome to First Migration’s UK Graduate Visa Guide. This free guide provides you with an overview of the visa, the eligibility requirements, and the benefits of the visa. If you need any help with your application, contact us at First Migration, London’s most trusted visa immigration consultancy.

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Important Update 4th December 2023

A statement made this evening by James Cleverley, the UK Home Secretary, will have a massive impact on Graduate Visas in 2024 and beyond. In the statement, a series of amendments to the UK immigration system were announced . Amongst these changes was a review of Graduate Visas. In the year to June 2023, it was reported that 98,000 Graduate Visas were issued, reflecting the substantial demand for them from overseas students.

While there have not been any specific details provided to date, it’s likely that the review will focus on so-called ‘abuse’ of the system. Given historical precedents and the direction of the government immigration policy, it’s likely that this review will restrict Graduate Visa holders from bringing dependant partners or children with them. This would be consistent with the recent changes to student visas that revoke the privilege of international students to bring their dependants unless enrolled in postgraduate research programs. The other potential changes could be to their definition of acceptable qualifications, approved universities, and possible changes to the duration of the visa.

We appreciate these changes are concerning developments and may have far-reaching implications for many students and their families. If you plan on applying for a Graduate Visa or Graduate Dependant Visa in the next 12 months, we recommend contacting us  at your earliest convenience to discuss your circumstances and how you should proceed.

21st December Update

The Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) will commence a review of Graduate Visas in January 2024. The review will focus on “the visa route to ensure that it is operating in the best interests and priorities of the UK, and ensuring the integrity and quality of the UK higher education system is maintained.”  The review is expected to run for most of 2024, so it’s not anticipated there will be any immediate changes in the short to medium term.

Overview of the UK Graduate Visa

The UK Graduate Visa is a popular post-study work visa aimed at international students who want to work in the UK at the end of their studies. The visa targets students who have studied within the UK for at least 12 months and attained a higher level qualification, typically of bachelor’s degree level or above. You can submit an application if your qualification meets the requirements and you satisfy all the other eligibility criteria. If your application is approved, you’ll receive a 2- or 3-year graduate visa based on the specific qualification obtained.

The Graduate Visa has many benefits, including working and living in the UK without restrictions. Unlike many other work visas, there is no requirement for sponsorship by an employer, giving you the freedom to work across various companies and sectors. There’s also the possibility of working as a contractor or on a self-employed basis. The Graduate Visa is often seen as a stepping stone to other work visas, which can then lead to permanent residence within the UK and Indefinite Leave to Remain .

Who is Eligible to Apply for the UK Graduate Visa?

There are four key criteria that need to be satisfied for you to be eligible for a UK Graduate Visa. All of the following conditions need to be met for you to be eligible:

• You must currently be in the UK.
• Your current visa must be a Student Visa or Tier 4 (General) Student Visa.
• You must have completed a UK bachelor’s degree, postgraduate degree, or another eligible course for a minimum duration while on your Student Visa or Tier 4 (General) Student Visa.
• Your education provider, such as your university or college, must have notified the Home Office that you have successfully finished your course. If you are uncertain whether your education provider has informed the Home Office about your course completion, you should ask them for confirmation.

Providing you satisfy all of the above criteria, you will be able to make an application for a UK Graduate Visa.

Application Process for a UK Graduate Visa

The process for applying for a Graduate visa in the UK involves several steps. Here is a step-by-step overview:

• Check Eligibility : Ensure that you meet the eligibility criteria for the Graduate visa. This includes being in the UK, having a current Student Visa or Tier 4 (General) Student Visa, completing an eligible course, and having your education provider inform the Home Office about your course completion.
• Gather Required Documents : Collect all the necessary documents for your application. This typically includes your passport, current visa, evidence of completing an eligible course, such as a degree certificate or academic transcript (if available), and any other supporting documents as required.
• Complete the Online Application : Access the online application form by visiting the UK government website. Fill in the required details accurately and provide all the requested information.
• Pay the Application Fee : Pay the application fee of £822 for you and any dependants you may have.
• Pay the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) : You’ll need to pay IHS for you and any dependants based on the visa length.
• Book Biometric Appointment : After submitting your online application, you must book an appointment to provide your biometric information. This usually involves taking your fingerprints and photograph at a designated visa application centre. There may be a cost associated with booking the appointment.
• Submit Your Documents : Documents can be uploaded and submitted online, and this should be done before attending your biometric appointment.
• Attend Biometric Appointment : On the scheduled date and time, attend the biometric appointment with your passport, BRP, and the appointment confirmation.
• Wait for a Decision : After submitting your application and providing biometric information, you will need to wait for a decision on your Graduate Visa application. The processing time is typically within 8 weeks, although processing times can fluctuate throughout the year.
• Visa Decision and Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) : Once your application is approved, you will receive a decision letter, and you’ll also be issued a new Biometric Residence Permit (BRP).

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Cost of a UK Graduate Visa

The application fee for a UK Graduate Visa in 2023 is £822. In addition to the application fee, you will also need to pay the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) , which costs £624 per year. Therefore, the IHS charge for 2-year Graduate Visas will be £1,248 and £1,872 for 3-year Graduate Visas. In addition to the application fee and the IHS fee, a biometric appointment fee may also be payable.

UK Graduate Visa Processing Times

The processing time for a Graduate Visa begins once the application has been fully submitted along with the applicant’s supporting documents and biometric information. From this point, most applications are processed in around 8 weeks. Sometimes, applications can be processed faster, while others can take longer. This is especially true for applications made during the summer months, as this is the end of the academic year and when most degrees are awarded. Regardless of the processing time, you will be able to remain in the UK until a decision has been made on your visa application.

Rights and Permissions on a UK Graduate Visa

Having a Graduate visa enables you to:

• Engage in a wide range of employment opportunities.
• Conduct job searches and explore employment prospects.
• Establish your own business or work as a self-employed individual.
• Reside in the UK with your eligible partner and children.
• Participate in voluntary work.
• Travel outside the UK and return without restrictions.

However, there are certain limitations. You are not eligible to:

• Apply for most benefits or public funds provided by the government.
• Receive the State Pension.
• Pursue a professional sports career.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do you still have questions about the UK Graduate Visa? We’ve tried to address the most regularly asked questions in our FAQ below. However, if you still need help, contact us by submitting the form at the top of the page.

How long is a UK Graduate Visa valid for?

UK Graduate Visas are typically issued for 2 years. However if you have completed a PHD or other doctoral qualification, then you will be issued with a 3 year visa.

When does my UK graduate visa begin?

Your visa will start from the day your application is approved.

Can the Graduate Visa be extended?

Unfortunately the graduate visa cannot be extended, however it can often lead to an offer of sponsorship by your employer. If your employer holds a Certificate of Sponsorship and your role is suitably skilled, then it’s possible to extend your stay in the UK under the Tier 2 Skilled Worker Visa.

Can I apply for a UK Graduate Visa from overseas?

The UK Graduate Visa can only be applied for and obtained from within the UK. If you leave the UK or your Tier 4 Visa has expired, you cannot apply for the visa.

Can I include dependants on my UK Graduate Visa application?

You can include dependents on your application for a UK Graduate Visa. As the visa is within the UK’s Points-Based System, any dependants will be treated as PBS Dependants . The cost for each dependant is £822, and you’ll also need to pay the Immigration Health Surcharge for each dependant. This is currently £624 per year for adults and £470 per year for children under 18.

Do I need my degree certificate or to graduate before I can apply?

Firstly, you must apply before your Student Visa or Tier 4 (General) Student Visa expires. You can apply as soon as the University or College you attended has told the Home Office that you’ve successfully completed your course. It is not necessary to wait until you’ve formally graduated or you have your degree certificate. You should check with your education provider if you’re in any doubt about whether they’ve informed the Home Office about the successful completion of your course.

Which qualifications are eligible for a UK graduate visa?

You must have one of the following qualifications to apply:

• a UK bachelor’s degree
• a UK master’s degree
• a UK PhD or doctorate

You can also apply if you completed one of the following qualifications:

• a law conversion course approved by the Solicitors Regulation Authority
• the Legal Practice Course in England and Wales, the Solicitors Course in Northern Ireland, or a Diploma in Professional Legal Practice in Scotland
• the Bar Practice Course in England and Wales, or the Bar Course in Northern Ireland
• a foundation programme in medicine or dentistry
• a Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE)
• a Postgraduate Diploma in Education (PGDE)

Is there a maintenance requirement for UK Graduate Visas?

There is no maintenance requirement for UK Graduate Visas as applicants will have been in the UK for over 12 months.

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• Working in the UK after your studies

Graduate Visa

The  Graduate Visa  allows international graduates to remain in the UK to work/look for work once their degree has been awarded. Please read our guidance carefully before deciding to make an application under this route.

Please note: you cannot make an application under this route until you have been awarded your degree and the College has confirmed your eligibility to UKVI. Please read the FAQS below for more information.

Length of the visa

• Undergraduate and postgraduate Masters students will be issued with a 2 year visa.
• PhD students you will be issued with a 3 year visa. 

Eligibility

To meet the eligibility criteria , you must:

• have successfully been awarded your degree and the College must have confirmed this to the UKVI
• have studied in the UK on a Student visa
• have a valid Student visa at the time you are applying 
• be making the Graduate visa application from within the UK
• have completed the entirety of your degree in the UK if you are studying a Masters course or a minimum of 12 months in the UK, if you are studying an Undergraduate degree or PhD*

*except for permitted study abroad programmes or when distance learning has been necessary due to Covid-19.

Scholarships

If you have received any official financial scholarship during your studies then you will need to check the conditions of your award in relation to remaining in the UK before you apply under this or any other UK visa route. You will require written permission from your official financial sponsor that you are allowed to remain in the UK for any visa application if you have been funded within the last 12 months.

Ineligible for the Graduate visa

You cannot apply for the Graduate visa if you have previously held permission under the Doctorate Extension Scheme.

If you are not eligible for the Graduate visa, then the Skilled Worker visa may be an option.

Yes. Anyone already in the UK as your dependant will be able to apply to extend their visa in line with yours. You must bring your dependants with you to the UK before you switch to the Graduate visa. Once you have been issued with your Graduate visa, you will not be able to bring any new dependants to the UK. 

Unsponsored route

This is an unsponsored route to allow you to work or look for work in the UK.

Work restrictions

In general, you will be able to do most types of work at any level (including self-employment). However, graduates on this route will continue to be restricted from being employed as a professional sportsperson or as a doctor or dentist in training.

If you applied for your Student visa before 6 April 2022: You can start work on a full-time basis, however, on a temporary contract until your Graduate visa is granted.

If you applied for your Student visa after 6 April 2022: You can start working in a permanent job as soon as you apply for your Graduate visa and whilst it is pending.

Study not permitted

This visa is given to enable you to work in the UK. You are permitted to undertake 'supplementary' study but only at an institution that is not a Student Route Sponsor. You cannot study a course that would usually require sponsorship under the Student route.

Switching visas

Graduates will be able to switch into other routes in line with the wider approach to switching when applying for a visa inside the UK. This will include the ability to switch into work routes if you are able to meet the requirements.

When to apply

You must have been awarded your degree before you can submit a visa application. Award dates are normally as follows:

• UG students: 1 August
• Masters students: 1 November
• PhD students: the first of the month after you submit your final corrected thesis

The College is required to confirm your eligibility for the Graduate visa to the UKVI before you apply. Once this has been done, the Visa Compliance team will send you an email notifying you that you may proceed with the visa application. 

How to apply

Once the College has confirmed your eligibility to the UKVI, the Visa Compliance team will email you with the information you need to make the Graduate visa application. This will be very shortly after your formal degree award date.

Deadline to apply

You must apply for your Graduate visa before your Student visa expires.

Once you reach your visa expiry date / the 4 month period after your course end date (whichever is sooner) you must either:

• Apply for a Graduate visa
• Seek sponsorship from an employer for a  Skilled Worker  visa.
• Leave the UK

Visa application fee: £715.

Immigration Health Surcharge fee:

• Currently £624 per year of the visa (2 years for UG and Masters graduates, 3 years for PhD graduates).

2-year Graduate visa IHS cost will be £ 2070 and the 3-year Graduate visa IHS cost will be £ 3105.

Job application questions

Job application forms will ask questions such as

• "Are you eligible to work in the UK?" or
• "Do you have the right to work in the UK?"

You can answer YES to the above questions as once you have your Graduate visa you can work and the visa is not connected to a specific job nor a specific employer. You should add information in a cover letter or on the application form about the Graduate.

• "Do you need be sponsored to work in the UK?"

You can answer NO to the above question as you do not need sponsorship from an employer to work whilst you are on your Graduate visa.

Graduate visa and re-sit exams

The rules concerning re-sit exams are complex . It is likely that you will need to contact us for individual visa advice. The key question to ask, is whether you will be awarded your qualification before your current Student visa expires.

If your re-sit is within 60 days of your visa expiry date :

If your resit takes place within 60 days of your current visa expiry date, you can extend your student visa to cover the resit exam plus an additional 4 month wrap up period. It is your responsibility to check with your department when your results will be expected and your degree awarded – if it cannot be awarded within this timeframe you will not be eligible.

If your re-sit more than 60 days after your visa expiry date :

If you are required to re-sit without attendance , you are classed as ‘not required to enrol’ on the student record system. Students with this status cannot be sponsored for a visa by the College as we are unable to meet our monitoring and reporting obligations to the UKVI. Therefore, you would not be eligible for the Graduate visa as you wouldn’t have valid student immigration permission.

Working once the course has finished

Your Student visa is likely to continue for 4 months after your course end date . This is called the ‘wrap-up period’. Upon reaching your formal course end date (in the case of PhD students completing your academic work, i.e. submitting your dissertation/thesis including final corrections) you can start working full time on a temporary contract up until your visa expiry date or a maximum period of four months (whichever is sooner).

While your Graduate visa application is pending, you can begin a permanent position. You cannot work on a self-employed basis until your Graduate visa has been granted.

High Potential Individual Visa

The  High Potential Individual  ( HPI ) visa is similar to the Graduate visa for applicants who have been awarded a qualification by an eligible overseas university within the last 5 years. Please refer to the list of eligible institutions .

You can only apply for either the HPI or Graduate visa once. You cannot hold an HPI visa and at a later date also apply for the Graduate visa.

Frequently Asked Questions

I have been told by my academic department that i have passed my course. can i now apply for a graduate visa.

In order to be eligible for the Graduate Visa, the College is required to confirm your eligibility to UKVI before you apply. The process for this is:

• Your academic department returns the results to the central Registry Team
• Your Student Record is updated to ‘awarded’
• The Visa Compliance Team run regular reports to pick up all ‘awarded’ records to check eligibility for the Graduate Visa. This includes ensuring the College has a record of your date of entry to the UK and that you have studied a course here for at least 12 months.
• When Visa Compliance confirm your eligibility to UKVI, they will email you to let you know this has been done and that you are now eligible to apply. The email will contain the CAS number you need to include on the Graduate Visa application.
• Please bear in mind that across College there are thousands of students being awarded at this time of year, so there is a delay between the date you are given your provisional results to the date your eligibility is confirmed to UKVI.

Do I need to be in the UK to apply for the Graduate Visa?

Yes. You must be in the UK to make this application and you must apply whilst you still hold a valid student visa that was issued for your qualifying course.

Do I need to have the Graduate Visa before my student visa expires?

No. You just need to have submitted the new visa application in the UK before your current visa expiry date. Whilst your visa application is pending with UKVI, your student immigration status is extended under Section 3c of the Immigration Rules until a decision is made on your new application.

Can I travel out of the UK whilst my Graduate Visa application is pending?

No. You cannot leave the Common Travel Area (UK and Ireland) whilst a visa application is pending as it will void the application. You either need to travel and return to the UK before your current visa expires, and make your Graduate Visa application when you return, or you need to wait for the Graduate Visa application to be decided before travelling. You are permitted to leave the UK and re-enter on your current student visa at the end of your course.

Can I work on my student visa now my course has ended?

Yes, you can work full-time on a student visa at the end of your course, but only on a temporary basis whilst you hold student permission.

The terms under which an employer can employ an international student on a student visa are detailed in the employers guide on  Right to Work checks at Employer's Guide to Right to Work Checks  (see page 46) which confirms:

‘Students who have the right to work are permitted to work full-time before their course starts, during vacations or during the period they hold permission for after they have competed their course.’

Whilst on a student visa you can only work full-time on a temporary basis – you cannot sign a permanent contract. So an employer would need to start you on a temporary contract initially until you apply for the Graduate Route visa when you can then switch into a permanent contract. You can start working in the permanent role as soon as your application for a Graduate Visa has been submitted – you do not need to wait for the outcome.

• Schools & departments

Graduate visa

If you have successfully completed your programme and wish to live and work in the UK for a while, a Graduate visa might be an option for you. This visa type is available for two years after the award of a degree or for three years after a PhD or other doctorate qualification.

How to apply

Costs of a graduate visa, how overseas travel impacts your eligibility for the graduate route, work you can accept before, during and after your visa application, applications for your dependants, find out more about the graduate route .

UKCISA guidance on the Graduate route  

UKVI overview for the Graduate visa  

• How Much Does a PhD Cost in the UK?
• Funding a PhD

Choosing to dedicate the next few years of your life towards a PhD is no light decision. Not only will it require you to dedicate an extensive amount of your personal time, but you’ll also need to consider how you’ll fund it. This raises the question, how much does a PhD cost in the UK?

The cost of a PhD can be divided into three key areas; tuition fees, living expenses and research expenditures. The combined cost of these are approximately  £20,000 per year  for UK students and can increase to over  £40,000 per year  for international students. A more in-depth breakdown of these costs can be found below. We’ve also compared these costs to other countries and outlined the various methods available to you to fund your PhD studies.

Tuition Fees

For UK ‘home’ students, the tuition fee for a PhD varies between £3,000 to £6,000 per academic year. For 2023/24 programmes, most universities opt for £4,712 per year within this range. Although this number may seem a little odd, it’s commonly adopted due to being the indicative rate set by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) for UK universities.

International Fees

Unlike for UK applicants, the rates for international students don’t align with the indicative level set by UKRI. Following the implementation of Brexit, EU students now follow the same fee rates as other international students. International students will find that their tuition fees are higher than those of home students. For example, at the time of writing, the average annual PhD tuition charge at the University of Dundee is £4,825 for home students undertaking an Engineering PhD. This same average is £25,305 for international students.

International applicants will also find that the fee for PhDs in STEM subjects are greater than those in non-STEM subjects. For example, at the University of Bristol, a doctorate degree in Mechanical Engineering costs £25,300 per year whilst a doctorate in Medieval Studies costs £20,100 per year.

To summarise, international students can expect a tuition fee of between £16,000 to £25,000 per year, with an average of around £19,600 per academic year. Non-STEM subjects will generally be at the lower end of the range, whilst STEM subjects will be at the higher end of the range.

Part-time Fees

The above fees are based on full-time postgraduate study. If you’re doing a part-time PhD, you can expect the fee to be half of these amounts. Although this may appear to be a cheaper option, keep in mind that the average duration of part-time PhDs are twice that of full-time PhDs. Therefore, the total tuition cost will amount to the same value and the end of both courses.

Other Degree-related Costs

Research support fees.

If your research project requires a high use of consumables, equipment or other resources, you may have to support the cost of these through an additional annual fee. This additional annual fee, often referred to as either a ‘research support’ or ‘bench’ fee, often apply to laboratory-based STEM research projects. Bench fees vary between different projects, even those within the same field. Therefore, it is best to speak to the admissions team on a project-by-project basis to receive anything useful.

Another cost you will need to account for is travelling. As part of your degree, many supervisors will expect you to attend conferences, training workshops, or other collaboration opportunities. As a result, you will often need to travel to various destinations which aren’t always limited to the UK. Although some programmes will cover these costs, it’s not unheard of that some positions will expect you to fund this yourself. It’s impossible to put a value on this, as the extent of travel depends on each project. Therefore, it would be wise to speak with the admissions team and current PhD students. They can provide you with an accurate estimate and let you know whether the university will cover the expenses.

Overtime Period Fee

When you’re enrolled into a PhD programme, you will be given a period to complete your PhD within. This period is known as your ‘registration period’ and is usually 3-4 years for a full-time PhD and 6-7 years for a part-time PhD. If you’re given an extension due to not completing your PhD study within this time, you will need to pay an overtime registration fee. Although the amount depends on each university, the University of Leeds sets theirs as £290 for 2023/24.

Living Costs

From a 2022 survey of over 2,300 university students , the average living cost, covering expenditures such as rent, bills, food and recreation, was £924 per month. This equates to £11,088 per year.

Although this is an average cost, your true cost of living will depend on your location. Living in major cities such as London will draw significantly higher rent and travel costs than living in more rural locations. Although your living situation will in large be driven by the university you undertake your PhD with, you should factor it in when deciding which universities to apply to.

To put this into perspective, the survey average of £11,088 per year uses a rent average of £418 per month. In London, this average increases to £650 a month and can surpass £1,000 if staying in university halls or private student accommodation. This is supported by University College London (UCL) who state you should expect an average rent of £1,028 per month if living in private accommodation around their university.

Tip  – You can use this handy calculator for an estimated average cost of living for any UK university. All you need to do is select the university, and the calculator does all the rest.

If you’re an international student, you should factor in return flights back home. Although this may seem like a small expenditure compared to tuition fees and rent, they can add up quickly depending on the frequency and distance of your trip.

Finding a PhD has never been this easy – search for a PhD by keyword, location or academic area of interest.

How to Fund Your PhD

Studentships.

A studentship is a form of scholarship for doctoral students. They can either be partially funded, which cover tuition fees only, or fully funded, which also covers living costs through a ‘stipend’.

Studentships can be found in various places. Research Councils (RCUK) and European Social Fund (ESF) make funding available to university departments, who in turn make the funding available to doctoral students. Therefore, you will find that there are many postgraduate funding opportunities available to you, with the best places to look being the RCUK and ESF websites and the university departments themselves. External institutions which focus on research and development such as research trusts and charities would also be a useful place to look for a funded PhD.

Doctoral Loans

If you’re a UK student, you may qualify for a Postgraduate Doctoral Loan from Student Finance England. This form of financial aid is available for nearly all postgraduate research degrees undertaken in a higher education setting. They will allow you to borrow up to a total of £28,673 for 2023/24 courses .

Graduate Teaching Assistantships

Graduate Teaching Assistantships are a form of studentships which allow you to teach undergraduates as part of your research degree. This not only helps improve your academic skills, but it also enables you to receive a salary whilst you’re studying. As well as teaching assistantships, some departments also provide opportunities for demonstrations, marking papers, and tutorial support. The amount you can earn through these schemes will depend on how many hours you work and what agreements you make with your supervisor or course leader.

Working Whilst You Study – Part-time PhDs

A research student may opt for a part-time PhD as opposed to a full-time one. Although this would double the duration of their studies, it allows them to take on a part-time job to improve their financial situation. For students going down this route, it would be highly beneficial to pick up a part-time role in a position related to your industry. This will help refine your skills and increase your employability within this career role should you choose to pursue it after your degree.

If you’re an international student, keep in mind that you’ll likely be on a study visa. Therefore, there’ll be certain restrictions on what you can and can’t do alongside your study.

How Does This Compare to the Fees in Other Countries?

When considering the tuition fee of PhDs across different countries, the United Kingdom is generally considered as being in the ‘middle-ground‘ region.

A handful of countries offer PhD programmes for free. These include, but are not limited to, Denmark, Greece, Iceland, Norway and Poland.

The middle-ground region comprises countries such as Austria, Spain, Russia and New Zealand where postgraduate fees range from £1,400 to £4,000 per academic year.

The upper-end region comprises countries such as Hong Kong and the United States, where postgraduate tuition fees for a PhD student can go up to £33,000 per year.

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• Immigration & settlement

12 September, 2022

Graduate visa route: information for international students, about brighton.

Post Study Work (PSW) permission to stay under the Graduate immigration route will enable international students to work or look for work after their studies for 2 years for bachelors and masters, or 3 years for PhD students. The work can be in any sector and at any level without any minimum salary requirements or the need for visa sponsorship. This route will facilitate some amazing benefits to international students .

Here in this article, we have compiled some frequently asked questions and provided answers for those as a guide to the graduate visa route for international students.

Q: What are the eligible courses for UK Graduate Visa?

To be eligible for Graduate Visa, you must study one of the following courses

• a UK bachelor’s degree
• a UK master’s degree
• a UK PhD or doctorate

You can also apply if you completed any of the following

• a law conversion course i.e. PGDL approved by the Solicitors Regulation Authority
• the Legal Practice Course (LPC) in England and Wales, the Solicitors Course in Northern Ireland, or a Diploma in Professional Legal Practice in Scotland
• the Bar Practice Course (BTC) in England and Wales, or the Bar Course in Northern Ireland
• a foundation programme in Medicine or Dentistry
• a Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE)
• a Postgraduate Diploma in Education (PGDE)

You may also be able to apply if passing your course made you eligible for a job that’s regulated by UK law or a UK public authority . Your education provider can tell you if your course is eligible.

Q: What are the eligible education/course providers (college/universities) for Graduate Visa?

For you to be eligible to apply for Graduate Visa, your education provider for your course must be a licensed sponsor with a ‘track record of compliance’. Check your provider’s standing if it is showing “Student Sponsor - Track Record” status on the UKVI Register of student sponsors .

Q: Will I still be eligible to apply for Graduate Visa if I changed/switched my course?

If you changed or switched course, you are still eligible to apply but only if you were authorised to change or switch course by your education providerand you did not need to apply for extra or new permission of your current student visa for this change/switch.

Q: Which graduate students are not eligible to apply for Graduate visa?

The following students will not be eligible to apply for the Graduate Visa

• Students in receipt of a Chevening Scholarship
• Students who have previously had a Doctorate Extension Scheme
• Students who have previously had a Graduate Visa

Q: How much does it cost to apply for the Graduate Visa?

There are 2 types of costs that you will need to pay when you apply for your Graduate Visa (you will need to pay the same amount for each eligible dependent).

• £715 application fee
• £1,248 (£624 X 2) IHS fee for 2 years / £1,872 (£624 X 3) IHS fee for 3 years

Q: When can I apply for the Graduate Visa?

You must apply for the Graduate Visa before your current student visa expires. Once your education provider confirms you that you have completed and successfully passed your course and you are eligible to apply for your Graduate Visa, you can apply any time before your current student visa expiry date. You need to be inside the UK to apply.

If your student visa expires and you submit other type of extension application for which you have received or yet to receive a decision from Home Office, you will not qualify for Graduate Visa application.

You will not be eligible to apply for the Graduate Visa, if you did not get your result for your degree and you left the UK before your visa expiry and wish to apply for Graduate Visa from outside the UK when your result comes out with successful completion of your degree.

Q: Do I need a job offer to apply for the Graduate Visa?

No, You do not need any job offer to apply for the graduate visa. The permission will be for you to work, or look for work, in any area and at any skill level withoutneeding to have an offer of work before you apply under the route. An employer will not need tosponsor you for the Graduate route.

Q: Do I need to provide any evidence of maintenance funds to apply for graduate visa?

No, you do not need to provide any evidence of maintenance funds i.e. bank statement to apply for graduate visa.

Q: Will I need permission from my official financial sponsor to apply?

You will need permission from your official financial sponsor (i.e. Government, employer, International Scholarship Organisation etc.) if you have:

• in the 12 months before the date of your application for the Graduate route been awarded a scholarship or sponsorship and
• the award is from a Government or international scholarship agency and
• The award covers both fees and living costs

Then you will need to provide their written consent for you to apply for the Graduate route when youapply. Unless all the points above apply you don’t need permission from your funder to apply.

Q: How long does it take to get a decision for Graduate Visa application?

Once you’ve applied online, proved your identity and provided your documents, you’ll usually get a decision on your visa within 8 weeks.You can stay in the UK while you wait for a decision even after your current student/T4 student visa expired.

Q: Can I study a course when I am on the Graduate Visa?

Graduate visa is given to enable you to work in the UK. The ability to study will be limited. You can only study with a Graduate visa if your chosen course is not eligible for a Student visa. If you are eager to study a course that is eligible for a Student visa, you can extend your Student visa instead.

Q: Can I work in more than one job whilst on the Graduate Visa?

Yes, unlike a sponsored work route such as Skilled Worker, the Graduate route is not tied to a specific job or employer. Whilst you hold Graduate route leave you are able to have multiple jobs at any skill level. The only restriction is that you are not able to work as a professional sportsperson or coach.

Q: Can my dependents apply as Graduate Visa dependents?

Students whose dependants are already with them in the UK on a student dependant visa are allowed to apply as Graduate Visa dependents. A child born during the validity period of your most recent student visa is also eligible to apply.

Your dependents (if they are not in the UK as your student dependents) are not eligible to apply for entry clearance for Graduate Visa dependents from overseas.

Q: Will I be able to switch back to the Student Visa at the end of my Graduate Visa?

Yes, you will be able to switch back to the Student Visa at the end of your Graduate Visa. If your new course start date is within 28 days of your Graduate Visa expiry date, then you will be able to switch to the Student Visa from inside the UK. If the time gap between the new course start date and your graduate visa expiry date is more than 28 days, then you will have to go outside the UK and apply for a new student visa.

Q: What UK visa options I will have if I want to stay longer in the UK at the end of my Graduate Visa?

If you want to stay longer in the UK at the end of your Graduate Visa, you can

• switch back to student visa
• switch to Skilled Worker Visa
• switch to dependent visa of another migrant in the UK

Q: How many times I can apply for graduate visa?

You will be granted a UK Graduate visa only once. For clarification, if you switch to Student Visa at the end of the Graduate Visa granted and study another eligible course, complete the degree successfully and intend to apply for a Graduate Visa again, you will not qualify for it.

Q: Will time on the Graduate Visa be counted towards indefinite leave to remain (settlement)?

Yes, if you remain in the UK continuously for a long time under different visa types including (Student visa and Graduate Visa) then time on the Graduate Route will be counted towards the 10-year residence route and you will be eligible to apply for ILR (Indefinite Leave to Remain), UK settlement visa.

Time on the graduate route does not count towards a five year settlement route.

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• 12 May, 2013

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• FindAMasters
• UK Visas for Masters Students - A Guide

UK Visa Guide for Postgraduate Students

Written by Mark Bennett

The United Kingdom is one of the world's most popular postgraduate study destinations, hosting over 600,589 international students in 2024.

In order to join them, you'll need a Student Route visa (previously known as a Tier 4 student visa). This page explains how the UK's points-based system works, with information on visa sponsorship, applications and fees. If you're looking for information on post-study visas, see our guides to the Graduate Route or the High Potential Individual visa .

On this page

Uk government immigration updates.

There have been some changes in UK's immigration policies recently. Most recently, the Government has announced an an increase in the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS). As of 6 February 2024, students and their dependants will now have to pay £776 per year (an increase of £306). There have been changes to application fees and dependant rules as well. We've pulled together all the recent changes in a blog for you!

Who needs a visa to study a Masters in the UK?

You'll usually need a visa for postgraduate study in the UK if you are an international student.

Your visa application will need to be sponsored by a university that has accepted you to study for a degree. In order to sponsor a visa your institution must be a licensed student sponsor. Your visa will typically allow for multiple entries into the country.

Some exceptions may apply to international students with refugee status the right of asylum or long-residence in the UK. For further information, see the resources produced by the UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA).

If you're an EU, EEA or Swiss national arriving in the UK after 1 January 2021, you'll need to apply for a student visa.

What was the Tier 4 student visa?

The Tier 4 student visa was replaced with a new, points-based student visa route in 2020.

In practice there isn’t a huge difference between the two schemes. However, there are a few comparisons worth being aware of, which we've listed below.

Tier 4 student visa vs Student Route

• If you’re applying from outside the UK, you can now begin your visa application six months before your Masters begins (previously it was three months)
• There’s no limit to the time you can spend studying postgraduate qualifications in the UK on the new student visa (previously you could only spend five years studying on a Tier 4 visa)
• EU, EEA and Swiss nationals have been added to the list of ‘low risk’ countries that don’t need to prove they meet the financial requirements
• If you’ve already studied an English-language qualification in an eligible country, you may not need to prove your language proficiency

Student visa requirements for the UK

You will normally have no problem applying for a visa to study a Masters in the UK, provided the following are true:

• You have been accepted to study a full-time or part-time postgraduate course ( Ofqual level 7 or above) at a UK university with the right to act as a student visa sponsor
• You have sufficient English language proficiency to complete your course
• You have access to enough financial support to pay your Masters fees and cover living costs in the UK during your degree

Further information about student visa requirements in the UK is provided below.

Eligible courses

Visas for postgraduate study in the UK are slightly different to those for undergraduate courses . In most cases this means that they are actually more flexible.

You can apply for a student visa for any postgraduate Masters degree, regardless of whether it is full-time or part-time. However, there are some restrictions in place for part-time study visas – you aren’t allowed to work during your degree or to bring dependants (such as partners or children) with you to the UK.

Language requirements

You will need to be able to have sufficient English language skills in order to study a Masters in the UK. This means you must be able to speak, understand, read and write English without difficulty.

Your university must be satisfied that you are proficient in English in order to sponsor your visa. This may mean that they ask you to sit an English language test when you apply.

If you’ve studied a degree-level qualification in an English-language country , you won’t usually need to prove your proficiency with an English language test.

Note that UK border control may stop and investigate anyone arriving on a student visa who does not appear able to communicate in English.

Financial requirements

In order to study in the UK you must show that you can independently support yourself during your Masters. You cannot rely on public funds and benefits to support you and must prove instead that you have sufficient money or funding of your own. You can work part-time as an international postgraduate (provided you are studying full-time), but you cannot rely on these earnings for support.

You must have sufficient maintenance funding to cover your course fees, plus a living allowance for at least the first nine months of your course. The exact amount depends on where you will live and study:

• Students in London must have access to at least £1,334 per month. This is a total of £11,385 over nine months.
• Students elsewhere in the UK must have access to at least £1,023 per month. This is a total of £9,207 over nine months.

Acceptable money for proof of maintenance funds can take various forms. You may:

• Hold the money as cash in a personal current or savings account
• Have a parent or guardian who holds the money in their personal current or savings account and will give you permission to use it
• Be in receipt of an academic or government loan or of academic or government sponsorship

In each case you will need to provide suitable evidence that this money exists and that you have access to it.

If you’re from an exempt country or you’re an overseas British national, you won’t have to provide proof that you meet these financial requirements.

Student route points

In October 2020, the UK Government replaced the previous Tier 4 (general) student visa scheme with a new, points-based Student Route.

To successfully meet the conditions of the points-based system, you’ll need to achieve 70 points:

• A confirmation of acceptance for studies is worth 50 points
• Showing that you meet the financial requirements is worth 10 points
• Meeting the English language requirements is worth 10 points

Which universities can sponsor student visas?

In order to apply for a visa to study a Masters in the UK you must be 'sponsored' by a recognised higher education provider. Sponsorship means the institution has accepted you as a student and can confirm that you will be studying a genuine postgraduate course with them that satisfies UK immigration requirements. Universities confirm their sponsorship by issuing students with confirmation of acceptance for studies (CAS).

Institutions with the power to sponsor visas in this way are known as licensed student sponsors . This status was introduced in October 2020. It replaces the previous system of Tier 4 Sponsor status.

The majority of public universities in the UK are licensed student sponsors, as do some private providers. Your institution should be able to confirm whether it is able to sponsor your visa. You can also view a complete register of licensed student sponsors on the UK government website.

What is confirmation of acceptance for studies (CAS)?

Confirmation of acceptance for studies may be issued by a university or other institution with licensed student sponsor status. As the name suggests, this confirms that you've been accepted to study at the university as a genuine international student.

You cannot apply for a student visa without CAS and you must have your CAS number before you apply for a visa. Once issued, CAS is valid for six months.

This means that you must apply for a Masters in the UK before applying for a UK visa and that you cannot wait more than six months between these applications.

Can licensed student sponsor status change?

It is rare for an institution to lose their status as a student sponsor, but this has happened in the past. New institutions may also earn student sponsor status, subject to a probationary period.

What happens to me if my university loses its licensed student sponsor status?

The effect on your of your university losing its student sponsor status will depend on the way in which this occurs:

Scenario #1: Your university loses its ability to issue new CAS

A university that loses student sponsor status may remain as a 'legacy sponsor'. This means it cannot issue new CAS, but any CAS numbers it has issued remain valid. If you are already studying at a legacy sponsor you may continue to do so for the duration of your current course and visa.

If you've not yet started your student visa application, you may continue to do so with your current CAS. Note that legacy sponsors will not normally be able to issue you a new CAS or extend your visa.

Scenario #2: Your university has its student sponsor status revoked

A university that has its student sponsor status fully revoked can no longer sponsor international students. Any CAS it has issued will also become invalid. This means you cannot apply for a student visa with a CAS issued by this institution, but you can be issued with CAS for study at another institution.

Any pending applications with your current CAS number will be refused. If you are already studying in the UK on a student visa sponsored by a revoked institution you will only be able to remain in the UK for up to 60 days unless you earn a new student visa. You can do this by transferring to another institution.

In practice, it is uncommon for an established university to lose its student sponsor status. Further advice for any students who do end up in this situation is available from the UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA).

How do I apply?

There are two stages to a UK student visa application: applying for confirmation of acceptance for studies (CAS) and applying for your student visa.

These stages are separate and must be completed in order (you cannot apply for a student visa without valid CAS).

Applying for CAS

Before you can apply for a student visa for postgraduate study you must be accepted onto an eligible Masters course and issued with CAS by your university.

In order to do this you must find a Masters in the UK and apply as normal. Once you have been given an unconditional offer to study at your university you can request a CAS statement from them.

To do this you will need to submit official confirmation of your academic qualifications, including transcripts of course content and degree results. This information will be used by your university to validate your CAS.

Universities may ask you for a deposit as part of their CAS process. This will usually be a proportion of your postgraduate fees. Requiring a fee deposit helps universities ensure that your application is genuine and that you intend to study with them.

Once your university is satisfied with your application it will issue you with a unique CAS number.

Applying for a student visa

Once you have your CAS you can apply for your visa online .

In addition to your CAS you must provide the following materials:

• A valid passport with sufficient space for your visa
• Evidence of your maintenance funds

Documents should be supplied by post and will normally be returned within 14 days. Note that you do not have to send any documents that you have already used for your CAS application. Once your university has issued you with CAS it verifies that this evidence has been seen and is correct.

Visiting a visa application centre

In addition to your online application you will need to submit fingerprints and a photograph. This should be done at an official visa application centre (VAC) in your home country. Your fingerprints and photograph will be used to create a biometric residence permit when you arrive in the UK.

Applicants from certain countries may also be able to use an app known as ‘UK Immigration: ID Check’ to verify their identity without visiting a visa application centre.

How much does a student visa cost?

If you're applying from outside the UK , the fee for a UK student visa is £490. This is non-refundable.

If you’re applying from inside the UK (either to extend an existing student visa or to switch from a different kind of visa), the fee is £490.

Other costs can include:

• A fee deposit (if required by your university when issuing CAS)
• An immigration health surcharge (see below)

Paying your immigration health surcharge

International students can access the UK's National Health Service (NHS). However, you must pay an immigration health surcharge in order to do so.

The cost of this for a student is normally £470 per year. From 6 February 2024, this will increase to £776 per year. You can check the specific amount you'll need to pay online.

You should pay this surcharge online as part of your student visa application.

UK student visa processing time

If you're applying from outside the UK, you can apply for a visa six months before your Masters begins. The processing time will usually be three weeks, but you should try to leave longer in case there are any additional requirements with your application.

If you’re applying from inside the UK, you can apply three months before your course begins. You’ll usually receive a decision within eight weeks.

What other conditions are there?

Successfully completing your visa application will allow you to enter the UK and prepare to begin your Masters degree, subject to a few conditions.

Arriving in the UK

You can arrive in the UK up to one month before your Masters begins.

Initially your visa will be issued as a short-term entry permit (known as a vignette). This will allow you to enter the UK for up to 90 days whilst you collect your longer-term biometric residence permit.

Collecting your biometric residence permit

Your biometric residence permit (BRP) functions as your immigration document for the remainder of your degree. As the name suggests, it contains your biometric details (the fingerprints and photograph that were taken at your visa application centre) as well as the terms and conditions for your visa.

You should normally collect your BRP from your university and do so either within 10 days of arriving in the UK, or before your short-term entry permit expires (whichever is later).

Working during your Masters

Yes, you can work whilst studying a Masters in the UK. However, you cannot rely on this income to support yourself in place of other maintenance funds. Working in the UK on a student visa is also subject to some restrictions:

• You may work up to 20 hours per week part-time during term time .
• You may work full-time during academic holidays .
• You may not work in some occupations, including professional sports and entertainment.
• You must be studying full-time . Student visas are available for part-time Masters degrees, but they do not allow you to work in the UK.

Bringing family members

As of January 2024, only students on PhD courses, doctoral qualifications and research-based higher degrees will be allowed to bring dependants (including partners and children) to the UK on a student visa.

This will impact students on Masters or taught programmes. We have some more information on how these new regulations might affect you on our blog.

Visa duration

A student visa will be valid for the duration of your Masters degree and for a further four months after you complete your course. You can use this extra time to look for work or apply for further study. However, you will normally need a new visa to carry out either of these activities.

Note that from summer 2021 onwards, international postgraduates are able to remain in the country and look for work for up to two years after completing their course. This is part of a new Graduate Route .

Can I apply to study another course after my Masters?

Yes, but you will need to extend your student visa or apply for a new visa (with new CAS from your new institution).

Your course must demonstrate academic progression . This means it should not simply be another Masters in the same subject area. More advanced courses, such as a PhD, will demonstrate academic progression after a Masters.

In practice, this means that progressing to a PhD in the UK after a Masters is usually possible as an international student. Studying other courses may be subject to restrictions.

Search for a UK Masters degree

The first step to gaining a visa for study in the UK is to find a suitable Masters degree. Why not take a look at the UK Masters courses listed here on FindAMasters ?

Our postgrad newsletter shares courses, funding news, stories and advice

The average cost of a UK Masters degree is £8,740, but fees vary by course and university, with some programmes costing more than others.

Our guide explains the different postgraduate scholarships available for international students in the UK, as well as overseas eligibility for Masters loans.

You can get a £12,471 postgraduate student loan for a Masters degree in any subject. Read our simple guide, covering eligibility, applications and FAQS.

Our guide explains how the different UK postgraduate student loan repayments work, with salary examples, FAQs and a handy postgrad loan repayment calculator.

Postgraduate loan applications are open for 2023. This guide explains which Masters loan you should apply for, how to apply, when to apply, and what you'll need to provide.

Chevening Scholarships are part of a prestigious UK Government postgraduate funding scheme specifically for international students in the UK. This page will give you an introduction to eligibility, applications and more.

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Visa requirements for academic visitors (doctoral students and faculty) to Oxford University

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From 1 January 2021 all EU, EEA and Swiss nationals visiting a department/ faculty or college, that have not been resident in the UK before 31 December 2020, will need to enter the UK under the appropriate visitor route:

• Academic visitors who are non-visa nationals ( Check UK visa  and  visa national list ),  visiting for less than 6 months  (e.g. professors, postdocs, doctoral students) must show the Academic Visitor letter to a Border Control officer on arrival to get a visitor stamp in their passport. Please email your host department in the UK to request the letter.
• Academic visitors who are visa nationals or non-visa nationals ( Check UK visa  and  visa national list ),  visiting for more than 6 months  (e.g. professors, postdocs, doctoral students) can apply for the  academic visitor visa  (sub-category of the standard visitor visa) for  up to 12 months . Please see  Academic Visitor Visa  section: ( Types of Standard Visitor visas | Staff Immigration (ox.ac.uk) ). Such visitors will also need the Academic Visitor letter before travelling to the UK. Please email your host department in the UK to request the letter.

Students will not be supported for visits of over 6 months. 

• Student visitors who are non-visa nationals ( Check UK visa  and  Visa national list ), must show the Student Visitor letter to a Border Control officer on arrival to get a visitor stamp in their passport. Please email your host department in the UK to request the letter.
• Student visitors who are visa nationals ( Check UK visa  and  Visa national list ) will need a visa and the Student Visitor letter before travelling to the UK. Such students can apply for the Visitor Visa(for visits up to 6 months). The visa cannot be extended over 6 months or be changed into the student route. A letter can be provided by the Department to assist with the application.  More information about these student visas can be found here: ( Before you arrive | University of Oxford )

Note, all visitors will need to obtain additional medical insurance for all costs not covered by the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). Please consult the UK government website for details:  Healthcare for visitors to the UK from the EU - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

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PhD Handbook

Cost of Studyin...

Cost of Studying PhD in UK for International Students

Pursuing a PhD in the UK is a dream for many international graduate students. It is an excellent opportunity to conduct original and noteworthy research in a specific field or subject and to contribute to the advancement of knowledge.

The cost of a PhD in the UK for international students can vary depending on the university and the subject of study. However, international students can expect to pay higher tuition fees than domestic students. The tuition fees for a PhD in the UK typically range from around GBP 18,250 to GBP 35,500 (INR 18,25,000 to INR 35,50,000) per annum at top universities.

However, some of the universities in the UK precisely accept applications from international students having a 4-year bachelor's (Honors) degree. The cost of a Ph.D. can be separated into three key areas; tuition fees, living expenses, and research expenditures. And the combined cost of these is approximately INR 40,56,000 per year for international students. 

Yocket Premium can help you save money on your PhD in the UK. With Yocket Premium, you get access to a team of experts who can help you find the right Ph.D. program for your needs and budget. Yocket Premium also gives you access to a wide range of scholarships and funding opportunities.

So, if you're planning to go for a Ph.D. program in the UK, we have listed below all the needed details of the cost of doing a Ph.D. in the UK and other required information about the same.

Factors Influencing PhD Tuition Fees UK International Students

International students choose to pursue a Ph.D. in the UK due to many reasons including higher ROI and better education quality. Along with the course fees for Ph.D., students have to bear other expenses as well. Some of the important factors that influence the Ph.D. fees in the UK are mentioned below. 

UK universities Ph.D. fees

Studying at UK universities is a dream that most students have. Given the excellent quality of education and program structure, the fees for UK universities are pretty high. Students will have to spend up to INR 30,42,000  per year on Ph.D. costs UK.

Cost of living in the UK

Students who are pursuing a Ph.D. degree in UK will have to bear all expenses for different living conditions such as food, transportation, study resources, etc. 

Pre and Post Arrival costs to study Ph.D. in the UK

The Ph.D. price UK also contains several pre-arrival expenses such as Visa, Application fees, language test fees, etc. Even after arriving in the UK, students will have to bear the program fees for Ph.D. courses as well as the living costs.

What can Indian Students Expect While Studying in UK

Pre-Arrival Expenses to Study Ph.D. in UK 

Included in the Ph.D. fees in the UK for Indian students are the pre-arrival costs. Yes, even before entering the UK, students have to go through some expenses. Students need to understand the budget in areas such as Language Test Scores, Student Visas, flight tickets, etc. These are the one-time expenses that students have to incur before arriving in the UK. 

Flight Ticket 

English language proficiency exam fees.

• UK Student Visa Fees
• Health Insurance Fees

Let’s know these pre-arrival costs in detail:

International students traveling from their respective countries to the UK will have to book a flight to the destination airport in the UK. The cost of flight tickets to the UK is somewhere between GBP 415 to GBP 620 (INR 43,092 - INR 64,380) . 

The cost of a Ph.D. in the UK for international students will also include the IELTS and TOEFL exam fees. These English language proficiency tests are a must for international students belonging to non-English speaking countries. The cost for these exams would be around INR 15,200 . 

 UK Student Visa Fees 

International students also have to apply for their UK student visa to continue with their studies in the UK. The UK student visa application fee is around GBP 339 (INR 35,200) for international students. 

Getting a PhD in the UK is a prestigious achievement, but it can also be expensive. 

Yocket Finance makes it easy and affordable to finance your international education, so you can focus on your studies and achieve your goals.

Health Insurance 

For international students planning to study Ph.D. in the UK, it is important to get their health insurance. The health insurance that you get depends on the length of the Ph.D. program. International students can use the National Health Service ( INR 30,400 for 2 years ) if their program duration is more than 6 months. 

Post Arrival Costs to Study Ph.D. in the UK 

Once you have arrived at your destination location in the UK, you can begin your course. But for that, you have to bear two types of post-arrival expenses. 

Ph.D. Program Fee

To pursue a Ph.D. in the UK, an international student has to pay the annual program fee. To the average cost of a Ph.D. in the UK is around INR 40,56,000 for Indian Students.  

Cost of Living

Student accommodation in the UK stands up to around INR 15,21,000 every year. The expenses include the cost of housing, cost of food, transformation, research costs, etc.

Best Ways to Fund Studies in UK for International Students

Fee Structure for Top PhD Universities in UK 

The program fee in UK universities with most international students offering Ph.D. courses is one of the main factors that decide the cost of studying in the UK. The Ph.D. course fees UK range from INR 15,21,000 to INR 35,50,000 based on the location and the university of choice. Here we have given a basic overview of the average Ph.D. fee structure in some of the top universities in the UK. 

List of Top 10 Universities for PhD in UK for International Students

PhD Programs Fees n the UK

If you are planning to study Ph.D. in the UK, it is important to know the costs associated with each Ph.D. program offered by UK universities. Mentioned below are some details about the different Ph.D. programs and the annual fees that students have to pay.

Know How to Apply for PhD in UK from India

Cost of Living in UK for 2024

Apart from the program fees, students who are pursuing a Ph.D. in the UK will also have to bear their living expenses. These expenses include accommodation, personal spending, eating, and other lifestyle costs. So, the cost of living in the UK depends on the lifestyle choices that students make. Here are some factors for living costs in the UK.

: A Comprehensive Guide To Ph.D. In London For International Students!

Additional Costs

Some other expenses can be included in the total costs for a Ph.D. in the UK. Some of the details for additional costs are mentioned below. 

: A Complete Guide to Ph.D. in UK for International Students

From the Desk of Yocket

The cost of a PhD in the UK can be a significant investment, but it is also a valuable one. PhD graduates from UK universities are highly sought-after by employers around the world, and they have the opportunity to make a real impact on their field of study.

The following article provided information about Ph.D. tuition fees in the UK for international students. Applying for a Ph.D. program in the UK is pretty simple if you are familiar with the costs and expenses of living and studying in the UK.

However, there are several other factors to consider when applying for a Ph.D. in the UK, such as the eligibility requirements, the application process, and the different types of funding available. Yocket Premium can help you navigate the entire application process and ensure that you are well-prepared for your PhD journey.

Frequently Asked Questions about Cost of Studying PhD in UK

Is it worth it to pursue a Ph.D. in the UK?

Yes, the UK houses some of the most prestigious institutions in the world. So, the options are endless when it comes to Ph.D. universities in the country.

Is a Ph.D. in the UK an expensive program?

When compared to the universities in other countries, the Ph.D. programs in the UK aren't that expensive. On average, a student will have to spend about INR 18,27,000 per year on Ph.D. course fees.

What are the top universities offering Ph.D. courses in UK?

The top universities that offer Ph.D. programs in the UK are: 1) University of Cambridge 2) University of Warwick 3) University of Oxford 4) University of Southampton 5) Newcastle University

Can I get Ph.D. programs in UK for free?

No, there aren’t any free programs available in UK for Ph.D. students. However, UK universities provide scholarships and financial assistance to students who have good academic scores.

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Switch From Graduate Visa to Work Visa: UK-based Lady Celebrates As She Gets Work Permit

• A lady who resides in the UK is overjoyed because she has received the legal permit to work in the country
• The lady said she has successfully switched from a graduate student visa to a work visa in the UK
• She posted a video to celebrate the achievement after she got the UK work visa which grants her the legal permit to look for a job

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A UK-based Lady has received a permit to live and work in the country, and this gladdens her heart.

She shared her happiness with her followers on TikTok after she received the work visa.

In the video , Solace Ojotule said she switched from her graduate student visa to a work visa.

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US visa application: After 4 years of long distance marriage, lady travels abroad to meet husband

"Finally switched from graduate student visa to skilled worker visa and I'm speechless."

She was happy as she unveiled the skilled worker visa for her TikTok followers to see.

Convert student's visa to work visa

Checks show that it is possible to switch from a UK student visa to a skilled worker visa if one meets the requirements.

According to the UK government website :

"You might be able to apply to change (‘switch’) to a Skilled Worker visa if you’re already in the UK on a different type of visa. If you’re currently in the UK on a Student visa, you must have completed the course you were sponsored to study. Your job start date is after your course has finished and you have studied for a PhD for at least 24 months."

Speaking to Legit.ng on the topic, Toyyib Adewale Adelodun highlighted the advantages of a skilled worker visa in the UK. He said the type of visa one possesses matters and determines how one works.

Europe-based Nigerian man shares how relocating abroad favoured him after learning new skills

"If you come to the UK with a visitor visa, you have no right to work. If you come as a student, you are legally allowed to work 20 hours a week. With a minimum wage of £11/hour, that is £880 a month. Depending on where you live, that could just be your monthly rent. Your school fees are around £15,000 a year. So you can't pay school fees with that arrangement. You won't see that money till you graduate and get a job. The advice is come with the right visa, otherwise UK can be hell on earth."

Watch the video below:

Reactions as lady gets UK work permit

@A.forkay thrift wears said:

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In a related story, an immigration lawyer says it is important to know how to answer questions asked by visa officers at the US embassy.

The lady, Lelia Adams, noted that knowing how to answer the US visa interview questions correctly would improve one's chances of getting a visa.

She said the US visa officer would likely ask what the applicant does for a living, the purpose of the visa and why the journey at the time.

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Israel Usulor (Human-Interest editor) Israel Usulor is a journalist who has 9 years of experience. He worked at The Prime Newspaper and has published articles in TheCable Newspaper. Israel graduated with distinction from Fidei Polytechnic (Mass Commun, 2016). Israel has interviewed Zannah Mustapha, the man who helped negotiate the release of Chibok Girls, and Kunle Adeyanju, who rode a bike from London to Lagos. He covered exclusive stories on Chef Dami during her Guinness World Records cookathon. Email: [email protected].

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Australia increases student visa fee by more than 100%

International visa fee has risen to a$1,600 from a$710, starting from july 1.

July 01, 2024

SYDNEY: In a bid to limit record migration, the Australian government has doubled its visa fee for international students, increasing it by a major 125%. 

The international visa fee has risen to A$1,600 from A$710, starting from July 1 (today). Meanwhile, visitor visa holders and students with temporary graduate visas are banned from applying onshore for a student visa.

"The changes coming into force today will help restore integrity to our international education system, and create a migration system which is fairer, smaller and better able to deliver for Australia," Home Affairs Minister Clare O'Neil said in a statement.

Official data released in March showed net immigration rose 60% to a record 548,800 people in the year to September 30, 2023.

The rise in fees makes applying for a student visa for Australia far more expensive than in competing countries like the United States and Canada, where they cost about $185 and C$150 ($110) respectively.

The government said it was also closing loopholes in visa rules that allowed foreign students to continuously extend their stay in Australia, after the number of students on a second or subsequent student visa spiked by over 30% to more than 150,000 in 2022–23.

The latest move follows a raft of actions since late last year to tighten the student visa rules as the lifting of COVID-19 curbs in 2022 boosted annual migration to record levels.

English language requirements were tightened in March, while the amount of savings international students need to get a visa was raised in May to A$29,710 ($19,823) from A$24,505, the second increase in about seven months.

Universities Australia CEO Luke Sheehy said the government's continued policy pressure on the sector would put the country's position of strength at risk.

"This is not good for our economy or our universities, both of which rely heavily on international student fees," Sheehy said in an emailed response.

International education is one of Australia's largest export industries and was worth A$36.4 billion to the economy in the 2022-2023 financial year.

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Australia's new visa rules kick in; here's how they will affect indians.

Starting July 1, individuals seeking Australian student visas must apply from outside the country. This change affects holders of certain visas, including Visitor and Temporary Graduate visas, who can no longer apply for Student visas while in Australia. Applications submitted within Australia before July 1, 2024, will still be processed, and Working Holiday Maker and Work and Holiday visa holders remain unaffected.

Australia doubles foreign student visa fee in effort to curb migration

Australia retains minimum age requirement for post-study work visas for research students

Australia announces changes to its Temporary Graduate Visa programs

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Australia's student visa fees doubled to slow record migration, ease housing market

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International students hoping to study in Australia must now pay a higher price to qualify for a visa. The revised fee comes after immigration reached a record high last year, sparking calls for stricter migration laws. Starting from Jul 1, applying for a student visa in Australia will become far more expensive than in any other country. At a price tag of $1,067, Australia ranks the highest in terms of student fees, beating both the United States and Canada. Roger Maynard reports.

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Student visa

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:

• a government-sponsored student starting a course that lasts longer than 6 months
• a full-time student on a postgraduate level course (RQF level 7 or above) that lasts 9 months or longer

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

• a PhD or other doctorate (RQF level 8)
• a research-based higher degree

Your dependants

A dependant partner or child is one of the following:

• your husband, wife or civil partner
• your unmarried partner
• your child under 18 years old - including if they were born in the UK during your stay

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

• a marriage or civil partnership certificate for your partner
• a birth certificate for your child

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

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

• not married or in a civil partnership
• living with you, unless they’re living away from home in full-time education - for example, at boarding school or university

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

• a bank statement
• credit card bills
• driving licence
• NHS registration document
• an official letter from their university or college

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:

• £845 a month (for up to 9 months) for courses in London
• £680 a month (for up to 9 months) for courses outside London

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:

apply online as your partner outside the UK

apply online as your child outside the UK

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.

As part of their application, they’ll need to have their fingerprints and photograph taken at a visa application centre (to get a biometric residence permit).

They’ll have to collect their biometric residence permit within 10 days of when they said they’d arrive in the UK.

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:

• at the same time as you apply to extend or switch your own visa
• at any time before their current visa expires

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:

• a visit visa
• a short-term student visa
• a Parent of a Child Student visa
• a seasonal worker visa
• a domestic worker in a private household visa

Each person will need to pay:

• £490 for the visa
• the healthcare surcharge - check how much they’ll have to pay

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

How to apply

Your partner and child must apply online. They must either:

apply online as your partner inside the UK

apply online as your child inside the UK

As part of their application, they’ll be asked to make an appointment at a UK Visa and Citizenship Application Services ( UKVCAS ) service point to provide their biometric information (fingerprints and a photo).

They’ll also need to submit their supporting documents. They can:

• upload them into the online service
• have them scanned at their UKVCAS appointment

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

Getting a faster decision

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

Children born in the UK

If you have a child while you’re in the UK, they do not automatically become a British citizen .

You must apply for your child’s dependant visa if you want to travel in and out of the UK with them.

The form you fill in depends on whether your child is inside or outside the UK. Your child must either:

You’ll need to provide a full UK birth certificate for each child, showing the names of both parents.

You must apply for their dependant visa before they turn 18 if they want to stay in the UK.

Part of Study in the UK on a Student visa

Step 1 : check if this visa is right for you.

You can apply for a Student visa if you’re 16 or over and want to study on a further or higher education course in the UK.

• Check what you can and cannot do on this visa
• Check what courses you can study on this visa
• You are currently viewing: Check if you can bring your partner or children ('dependants') with you

If you're under 18 and you want to study at an independent school in the UK, you may be eligible for a Child Student visa instead.

• Check which visas you're eligible for

Step 2 : Prepare the evidence you need

• Check what documents you can use as evidence
• Prove your knowledge of the English language
• Check if you need a tuberculosis (TB) test

If you're doing a masters degree or above, you may need to apply for the Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) certificate.

• Check if you need to apply for ATAS

Step 3 : Apply from outside the UK

• Apply from outside the UK £490

You'll need to prove your identity as part of your application.

You'll usually get a decision within 3 weeks.

• Find out if you can pay more to get a faster decision

or Apply from inside the UK

• Apply to extend if you're already in the UK on Student visa (or a Tier 4 (General) visa) £490
• Apply to switch to this visa if you're already in the UK £490

You'll usually get a decision within 8 weeks.

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

Step 4 : Check what you can bring into the UK with you

• Check what you can bring in your hand luggage
• Check what to do if you're bringing cash with you
• Check what goods you can bring with you
• Check what food, animals or plants you can bring into the UK

Step 5 : Check what you need to show at the UK border

• Check what you need to show at the UK border

Step 6 : After you arrive in the UK

• Find out how to get your Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) if you were told you’d get one when you applied

You might be able to extend your visa to stay longer in the UK.

• Check if you can extend your visa

If you break the conditions of your visa you may not be able to come to the UK again.

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