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Guide on getting a United kingdom (UK) Student Visa

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Guide on getting a United kingdom (UK) Student Visa

Detailed guide on how to get a United kingdom (UK) Student Visa, including courses one can study, type of student visa, Application for United kingdom (UK) Student Visa Procedures, Requirements for United kingdom (UK) Student Visa and many More

Many foreign students wish to study in United kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom (UK) or Britain but they really get befuddled by the whole process, starting from the application of course in the university of their choice down to the visa approval process which would be discussed in details in this article.

Guide on getting a United kingdom (UK) Student Visa
Guide on getting a United kingdom (UK) Student Visa

Some of the issues that some times make United kingdom (UK) Student Visa process difficult is not making enough research. Lots of students who wish to study abroad sometimes don’t understand what student visa is all about and this has made lots of them make so much errors and spend much money in hiring agents to help them process their student visa.

Most importantly in this article we will discuss most of the terms, questions, queries, expressions that are related in getting a United Kingdom (UK) student Visa which include the following

Types of United Kingdom (UK) student Visa

There are three main types of UK student visa which all foreign students must be issued one of them to enable them migrate to study in any Uk licensed university. These three types of uk student Visa are as follows.

  1. UK Student visa.
  2. Child Student visa.
  3. Study English in the UK (Short-term study visa)

UK Student visa

These type of visa was formerly known as the Tier 4 (General) student visa. To apply for this visa you must be 16 years and above. How ever if you are 16 or 17 years old you need a candent from your parents and a proof that you can apply for the visa.

However for all students who wishes to relocate to UK for studies you need to have been offered a course by a liciensed student sponsor. Also you need to proof that you have enough funds to pay for the fees and take care of your self in UK. Your ability to speak, read, write and communicate effectively using English language is also necessary.

With this type of visa students are entitled to work for 20 hours per week during academic sessions and work full time during during holidays. But students are 16 or 17 years are only entitled to work for 10 hours per week during school sessions

The UK Student visa cost about £363 to apply for a Student outside the UK while £490 is required to be paid to extend or switch to a Student visa inside the UK

UK student visa requirements

UK student visa is issued using the point system algorithm. there in other to be successfully awarded this visa you need to provide the following.

  • A recent passport photograph
  • Admission letter – This has the most weight of 30 points. Here you need to be offered an admission in licenses university in UK.
  • Proof of sufficient funds (worth 10 points)
  • International passport issued by your country of origin
  • Evidence of ability to communicate,, speak, write, read in English language. The IELTS Test can serve this purpose that is to say you would need to write the IELTS test.
  • An ATAS certificate is needed for non EU/EEA/Swiss student who wish tp study sensitive courses
  • Healthcare surcharge payment reciepts

It is advised that students apply for visa three months before the commencement of their educational program The university that offered you admission might be open to assist you in applying for the Uk student visa, so you are advised to to make inquires with the academic institution about it.

Working with your UK student visa

It is no longer news that foreign students above 18 years who have been issued the student visa are eligible to work for 20 hours per week during academic sessions and work full time during holidays while students between 16 and 17 years can only work for 10 hours per week.

Having dealt on working during studies, many will be concerned with working after they finish their academic program which is highly of heavy importance. The truth is that many foreign student would in one way or the other love to stay in united kingdom but the issue is that your student visa cant get you a permanent work in uk and it must have been close to expiration.

Therefore you would need to upgrade your visa from student visa to work visa. Also note you are entitled to apply for a Graduate Route Visa which enables you to search for work in united kingdom for 2 years and there after you can switch to a work visa.

Limitations and what you can do using a UK Student visa

You can actually do two main activities while using a UK student Visa which are;

  1. Study
  2. work

Working depends on what your studying, your age and other factors. Mean while there are numerous things you cannot do while on Student visa and the include the following.

  1. You cant start up your personal business
  2. No right to public facilities, benefits or pensions
  3. You cannot work as a sports person

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

UK Child Student visa

This type of visa is made available for students that are between 4 – 17 years, that is to say the students who need this visa are virtually dependent on there parents of guidance. Below are conditions before Uk child student visa application:

  1. The applicants/student has have been offered a course by an approved and licensed academic institution.
  2. Proof of funds must be made available by the parents, showing they can pay for the living expenses of there wards as well as the school feed.
  3. Consents from the parents should be provided to the embassy.

How ever If you’re up to 18 years or more than you can rather apply for the Student visa.

Duration of the UK Student Visa and when to travel

The duration of the visa is always dependent on the age of the applicants, length of course and date of application.

16 or 17 years students can study a course of 3 years plus 4 years after the expiration of the visa while students less than 16 years can be offered admission to study courses of up to 6 years duration.

As for when to leave for UK. It is advised you migrate to UK one month before the commencement of the course so as to enable you sort out accommodations and other necessary needs.

 Application of UK Child Student visa

Applying for UK child student visa depends on your location wether you are applying while inside United kingdom (UK) or applying while outside United kingdom

Applying for UK child student visa while out side UK

When applying for a student visa while out side uk, it is recommended the visa application is submitted 6 months before the start of the educational program and it takes 3 weeks to receive a decision from the embassy.

Applying from inside or within the UK

This is a bit different from applying from out side UK, because here you are applying while you’re in UK. Due to you are in UK you can at least apply 3 months before the commencement of the academic program. In this type of application it normally takes maximum of 8 weeks to get a reply.

Limitations and what you can do using a child UK Student visa

Here are the list of things you can do when on a student visa

  • You can study
  • only candidates who are between the ages of 16 and 17 are eligible to work for only 10 hours per week but if you are below 16 years you cant work. How ever you can work full time during vacations.

On the other hand just like the UK student visa there are some limitations attached to the Visa. Therefore below are things you cannot do while with a child student Visa:

  • You cannot bring a family member but if your parent or guardian wish to travel to UK with you he or she would be required to apply for a parent of child student Visa
  • You don’t have right to any public fund or pension benefit
  • You cant start up your personal business
  • No right to public facilities, benefits or pensions
  • You cannot work as a sports person

Study English in the UK (Short-term study visa)

If you wish to study English language in UK in less than 11 months, lets say 6 months to 11 months you would nee to apply for this type of visa. A student who is using this type of visa can stay 1 month after his/her course period elapse. Mind you this is only applicable if you have not stayed in uk using the said visa up to 11 months.

Limitations and what you can not do using a UK (Short-term study visa)

As the name implies a short term study visa, it is expected of you not to do any thing in the Uk, except studying the course you applied for. Below are list of what you cannot do while with this type of Visa

  1. You cannot work as a sports person
  2. You cannot change your course of study
  3. Every student with this type of visa is not excepted in any way to do any work.
  4. Extension of visa is prohibited that is to day ou will have to go back to your home country and re apply if ou wish to continue your stay in UK.
  5. ot bring a family member but if your parent or guardian wish to travel to UK with you he or she would be required to apply for a parent of child student Visa
  6. You don’t have right to any public fund or pension benefit
  7. You cant start up your personal business
  8. No right to public facilities, benefits or pensions
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