UK Student Visa Types: Duration & Fees for 2025

| Updated On - Nov 22, 2024

Indian student planning to study in UK can select from 4 types of visa. These are, the Student Visa, Child Student Visa, Short-term Study Visa, and Standard Visitor Visa. Each of these visas are tailored to different age groups, course durations, and activities. However, students need to demonstrate proper letters of acceptance and proof of finance availability to avail any of these student visas in UK.

The UK Student Visa for 16+ students planning to pursue full-time academic courses in UK is the most popular visa type among the aforementioned. Previously known as Tier 4 (General) Student Visa, it is required to pursue a full-time course leading to a degree or above qualification. The UK Child Student Visa is for students between 4-17 years of age, planning to pursue courses in independent schools in UK. Besides, there are Short-term Study Visa and Standard Visitor Visa for English language programs and courses with duration less than 6 months, respectively.

Also Check: UK Study Visa Extension

Details of the requirements, application timelines, fees, allowed activities, and limitations are provided in this article. An overview of the UK student visa types and their respective characteristics is given in the image below:

UK Student Visa Types

Table of Contents

UK Student Visa
UK Child Student Visa
UK Short-Term Study Visa
Standard Visitor Visa
FAQs

UK Student Visa

The UK Study Visa is the primary visa type for students aged 16 and over. This visa has replaced the Tier 4 (General) Student Visa. It allows degree level (18+) students to stay for up to 5 years, and students below degree level for up to 2 years.

UK Student Visa Eligibility

A confirmed admission offer from a licensed UK educational sponsor.
Sufficient funds for both course fees and cost of living in UK.
Proof of English proficiency.
Parental consent if aged 16 or 17 (documented proof needed).

Allowed and Restricted Activities

Allowed: Study, part-time work in UK (during term) and full-time work (during vacations, restrictions apply).
Restricted: No access to public funds, professional sports coaching, or self-employment.

Additional Information:

Arrival: You can arrive up to 1 month (if course >6 months) or 1 week (if course ≤6 months) before the course starts.
Extensions: The UK Student Visa allows extensions to eligible students. You can also switch to a Graduate visa post-completion of the course.
Dependants: Students on this visa can bring family members with them if all the necessary requirements are met.

UK Student Visa Extension

Indian students planning to continue studies or start a new course in UK can extend the current student visa. To be eligible for UK student visa extension, you should satisfy the following:

You must be physically present in the UK with a valid UK Student Visa.
You should hold an unconditional offer for a new course at a licensed student sponsor institution in UK, as indicated in your CAS.
You should demonstrate that the new course is at a higher academic level than your current one. The course should meet the academic progress requirement (with certain exceptions).

If you've been in the UK for less than 12 months on a valid visa, you must show proof of sufficient fund availability to support yourself during your stay. If you have dependents like a partner or children, they should apply separately to extend their visas. They can either submit their applications along with you or anytime before the expiry of their current visa.

Switch to a UK Student Visa

If you're already in the UK on a different type of visa, you can switch to a Student visa. However, certain visa holders, such as those with a visit visa, short-term student visa, parent of a Child Student visa, seasonal worker visa, or domestic worker visa, are ineligible to switch and must apply from abroad. The eligibility criteria to switch to a UK student visa are as follows:

Be physically present in the UK.
Have an unconditional offer for a course from a licensed student sponsor, documented by your CAS.
Show proof of sufficient fund availability to support yourself for less than 12 months.

Note: If you have dependents (partner or children), they must apply separately to switch their visas, either alongside you or before their current visas expire.

Switch from a UK Student Visa

If you're currently on a Student Visa in UK, you may switch to a Skilled Worker visa by meeting certain criteria. This visa transition allows international graduates to pursue employment opportunities in UK after completing studies. To qualify, you must either have completed the course for which you were sponsored, have a job start date after your course finishes, or have studied a PhD in the UK for at least 24 months.

You cannot switch to a Skilled Worker Visa if you are currently in the UK on:

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
Immigration bail
Special permission outside immigration rules, such as on compassionate grounds

If any of these restrictions apply, you will need to leave the UK and apply for a Skilled Worker visa from abroad.

UK Student Visa Application Timelines and Fee

The application timeline and respective application fees for UK Student Visa are as follows:

Applicant Type by Location	Application Fee	Application Timeline	Decision
Outside the UK	£490 (53,477 INR)	Up to 6 months before the course starts	Within 3 weeks
Inside the UK	£490 (53,477 INR)	Up to 3 months before the course starts	Within 8 weeks

Note: You should also consider a variable healthcare surcharge of around £776 (84,685 INR).

UK Child Student Visa

This visa is intended for students aged 4 to 17 and enrolled in UK independent schools. Students below 16 years of age can stay until the course length (up to 6 years) plus 4 months with this visa. Students aged 16 or 17 can stay for a maximum of 3 years plus 4 months with this visa.

UK Child Student Visa Eligibility

An unconditional offer from an independent school in the UK.
Proof of financial support for fees and living expenses.
Parental or guardian consent.

Allowed and Restricted Activities:

Allowed (16+): Part-time work (up to 10 hours per week during term) and full-time work during holidays.
Restricted: No public funds, permanent jobs, self-employment, or professional sports coaching.

Know More: UK Student Visa Application

UK Child Student Visa Application Timelines and Fees

Here is an overview of the application fee and timeline for UK Child Student Visa:

Applicant Type by Location	Application Fee	Application Timeline	Decision
Outside the UK	£490 (53,477 INR)	Up to 6 months before the course starts	Within 3 weeks
Inside the UK	£490 (53,477 INR)	Up to 3 months before the course starts	Within 8 weeks

UK Short-Term Study Visa

The short-term study visa is for students attending English language courses lasting between 6 and 11 months. To be specific, it allows a stay for the entire course duration and an additional 30 days, not exceeding 11 months.

Currently, this visa costs £200 (21,825 INR). Students on this visa cannot work, extend the visa, switch courses, or bring dependants.

Standard Visitor Visa

The standard visitor visa is for students planning to attend courses of up to 6 months or engage in short academic programs. This visa has possibilities of extension in specific cases. The visa fee is £115 (12,546 INR).

Allowed and Restricted Activities:

Allowed: Short-term courses, academic programs, tourism, or business-related visits.
Restricted: No work or long-term stays.

Also Check: How to Appeal a UK Student Visa Rejection

Selecting the right visa is essential for Indian students aspiring to study in the UK. By understanding each visa type's specific requirements, timelines, and restrictions, students can ensure a smoother transition and a well-planned stay in the UK.

FAQs

Ques. Can I change a tourist visa to a UK student visa?

Ans. No. If you are on a visit visa or a short-term student visa, you cannot switch it to a UK student visa. If you are on any other visa permitting you to be in the UK, you might be allowed to change it to a student visa in UK.

Ques. Can I drive with any UK student visa?

Ans. No. A student visa in UK cannot allow you to drive in the UK. Indian students will need a valid driving licence from the European Economic Area (EEA) or other countries to drive in the UK. You also need to satisfy all the vehicle related norms in UK from age to insurance, registration, tax, and traffic rules. A non-EEA licence allows you to drive in the UK for up to 1 year. After that, you will have to take out a provisional UK licence.

Ques. Which type of UK visa has high acceptance rate?

Ans. The UK student visa success rate has been consecutively above 90% for the last few years, according to various reports. Out of all these types of student visas, the UK student visa for full-time academic courses has the highest demand among international students.

Ques. Can I apply for settlement after 5 years on a UK student visa?

Ans. No, you cannot directly apply for settlement in the UK after 5 years of study. If you have lived in the UK for 5 years on a work visa, only then you become eligible to apply for a permanent stay. However, you need to satisfy a range of eligibility criteria to avail these benefits.