Overview
You can apply for a Tier 4 (General) student visa to study in the UK if you’re 16 or over and you:
- • have been offered a place on a course
- • can speak, read, write and understand English
- • have enough money to support yourself and pay for your course - the amount will vary depending on your circumstances
- • are from a country that’s not in the European Economic Area (EEA) or Switzerland
- • meet the other eligibility requirements
There has been no change to the rights and status of EU nationals in the UK, and UK nationals in the EU, as a result of the referendum.
How long you can stay
You can arrive in the UK before your course starts:
- • up to 1 week before, if your course lasts 6 months or less
- • up to 1 month before, if your course lasts more than 6 months
How long you can stay depends on the kind of course you’re doing and what study you’ve already completed.
What you can and can’t do
You can:
- • study
- • work as a student union sabbatical officer
- • apply from inside or outside the UK
- • apply to extend your stay
- • work in most jobs - depending on what level your course is and what kind of sponsor you have
You can’t:
- • get public funds
- • work in certain jobs, eg professional sportsperson or sports coach
- • study at an academy or a local authority-funded school (also known as a maintained school)
- You may be able to bring in family members (dependants).
