You can apply for a Standard Visitor Visa (to study) if you are:
- Studying a short course up to 6 months long including Study Abroad
- Returning to sit exams, repeat a module or attend a viva for less than 6 months
- An external research student visiting campus for less than 6 months
- Studying as a distance learner and are required to come on campus e.g. for an induction, sit an exam or assessment
How do I apply?
- You can apply up to 3 months before your date of travel.
- If you are a Visa National, you should apply online for entry clearance from any country outside of the UK
- If your nationality does not appear on the Visa National List, then you may apply for a Standard Visitor visa on arrival in the UK where a border force officer will stamp your passport. You can also apply online in advance, if you choose to.
What documents will I need for my application?
- Current passport or travel document
- Evidence you can financially support yourself e.g. bank statements
- Tuberculosis test results if required
- Details of travel plans and accommodation
- An offer letter from the University, or you can request a supporting letter from the University
- ATAS certificate if your course requires it, if you are not exempt
See the Home Office website for more information on documents.
Note for nationals who are eligible to use eGates on arrival
If you are a national from Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, Singapore, South Korea or the USA you can use the eGates on arrival in the UK, however you must keep evidence of your date of arrival in the UK e.g. e-ticket, boarding pass
⚠️ We do not advise booking flights that connect through the Republic of Ireland
We strongly advise that you take direct flights to the UK rather than taking a connecting flight via Dublin, as if you travel to the UK via the Republic of Ireland, you will not be able to get your vignette stamped when you enter the UK.
This is because when you travel in the Common Travel Area, you do not pass through UK immigration.
You are not allowed to work in the UK while holding a Standard Visitor visa.
⚠️ This includes all paid and unpaid work placements. You will not be able to extend or switch to a different visa once you are in the UK and will need to leave the UK within 30 days of your course end date, or before your visa expires (whichever is sooner).
If you are a distance learner on a course over 6 months long, UKVI may limit your stay in the UK to 56 days during the length of your visa.
Learn more
For further information regarding Standard Visitor visas, please see the UKCISA website and the Home Office website.
Definitions on this page:
- Visa national: People with nationalities which require entry clearance prior to travelling to the UK as a Visitor, or for any other purpose for less than six months