Applying for a UK student visa from India

The UK has been a popular study destination for international students for years. They made up 23% of the total number of students in higher education institutions across the UK in 2023/24 (Source: HESA). Many Indian students opt for higher education in British institutions, as a foreign education not just opens doors to global opportunities, but also encourages students to think creatively and apply ideas into practice in the real world. Studying in a cosmopolitan country that celebrates cultural, racial and ethnic diversity results in an excellent learning experience.

International students, to study in the UK, have to obtain a student visa from the British High Commission nearest to them.

Types of UK student visas

Based on the study duration, your study level, or age, the UK offers different visas, including the popular Student visa, Child Student visa and short-term visas.

• Student visa: Apply for this visa if you are 16 years of age or over and want to study at a UK higher education institution.
• Child Student visa: This visa is meant for students who are between 4 and 17 years old and want to study at a UK school.
• Short-term visa for studying an English language course in the UK: The course duration must be between 6 and 11 months.
• Short-term visa to visit the UK as a Standard Visitor: Apply for this visa if you are visiting the UK for academic purposes that take less than 6 months.

For studying undergraduate and postgraduate courses in the UK, you must have a student visa.

UK student visa requirements

The UK student visa requirements include meeting the eligibility criteria, preparing the necessary documents and proof of finances, meeting the English language requirements, providing a TB clearance certificate and others.

Eligibility criteria for a UK student visa

The UK follows a point-based system to determine eligibility for student visas. International students must get 70 points to be eligible for a study visa to the UK. 

• You should meet the study requirements. These include getting an offer from an approved higher education institution. This will get you 50 points.
• You should be able to prove your English language proficiency. 10 points.
• You should be able to provide proof that you’ll be able to handle the expenses involved for the entire duration of your stay. This will earn you another 10 points.

The point-based system has made the visa process more streamlined. Another advantage is that, under this system, you can apply for a visa up to 6 months before the course start date.

Documents required for a UK student visa

A passport, Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies, and proof of finances are some of the documents required to support your study visa application.

Passport

Make sure you have a blank page in your passport to stamp your visa.

Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS)

Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) is generated by the university and emailed to students. It includes details such as your CAS number, the details about your course and your place of study, your qualifications that were analysed, proof of your English language proficiency, etc.)

Proof of finances

You should show that you have enough funds to pay your course fees and your expenses in the UK. The course fee will be mentioned in your CAS. For your stay in the UK, you should have GBP 1,316 for each month of your course, for up to 9 months. If your university is in London, the amount required is GBP 1,483. (Approximately INR 1.5 lakhs and 1.7 lakhs respectively, as per the exchange rates on 14 July 2025).

Consent from parents or legal guardians (if you are 16 or 17)

The UK government website says that you can apply for a student visa if you are above 16. But you will need to submit evidence of consent from parents or legal guardians if you are 16 or 17.

TB test report

If you are going to the UK for more than 6 months, you should submit proof of not having pulmonary tuberculosis. Your test must be taken from a clinic approved by the Home Office. Some of the places that have approved clinics include Bengaluru, Chennai, Kochi, Nagpur, Pune, Kolkata and Mumbai.

The test will cost between Rs 1800 and Rs 3000. The certificate that you get will be valid for 6 months. You can read more about the test in our comprehensive article on the TB test for UK visas.

Proof of English proficiency

You should be able to successfully demonstrate that you know English by taking any of the accepted English language tests. Needless to say, you should be able to read, write, speak and understand English as it will be the medium of instruction in your university in the UK. IELTS test scores are accepted by universities and colleges in the UK. Universities will have a set IELTS score requirement. Make sure you meet this.

There are more than 80 IELTS test centres in India. With a valid ID, you’ll be able to register for a test. Goa, Chennai, Trivandrum, Calicut and Coimbatore are some of the cities that have IELTS test centres. You can choose the test centre that is closest to you. The cost of the test is around 18,000 INR.

It will take around 13 days for your IELTS test results to arrive. Hence, plan your test day accordingly. Contact us, and our counsellors can guide you in this.

Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) certificate

If you plan to study or do your research in any specified areas of science, you need this ATAS certificate to get visa approval. This applies to Master's and Doctorate level programme applicants. If you join an undergraduate course that includes an integrated Master’s year, you will need the ATAS as well. You can apply for this online, and once cleared, you get your certificate online. To know whether or not you need this certificate, you can check here at the UK Government website. Use the CAH3 code that is mentioned on your official confirmation or offer letter. 

Visa application & fee payment details

Once you make an online visa application, you’ll pay a fee. The payment confirmation should be included along with the documents to be submitted.

Read more on procedures for submitting documents

Step-by-step student visa application process

1. Gather required documents

Once you have all your documents ready, you can fill in the visa application online. If you have travelled elsewhere before, have your travel history handy. You have the option to save the form and come back to it later, if required.

2. Complete the online application

Once you have gathered all the required documents, head to the official UK government website to submit your application online. Ensure you fill in the correct details, especially your CAS number and passport details.

3. Pay the visa and IHS fee

Once you make the application online, you’ll be asked to pay the visa application fee. The UK student visa application fee is currently £524 (approx. INR 61500). You pay the same fee to extend your visa or change to a Student Visa from within the UK.
If you have family members accompanying you to the UK, you will have to pay the same amount for them too. 

Immigration Health Surcharge

This is added to your visa fee. The total IHS depends on a couple of factors, such as the duration of your visa. The fee is £776 (approx. INR 91,000) per year of your stay, and the same applies to each of the dependents you are bringing with you. You will need an HIS reference number to complete your visa application.

If you will be in the UK for less than six months and you are applying from outside, you do not need to pay the IHS. If you are applying from within the UK, you pay half the charge.  Any duration beyond six months attracts the full year IHS fee.  

4. Book your visa appointment

The next step after filling out the UK student visa application and paying the fee would be to book an appointment with VFS Global for your visa interview. You will be asked to register first. VFS Global, or the Visa Facilitation Services Global, is the organisation that processes your visa.

Once you register with VFS Global, you will have the option to upload all your documents online. If you would prefer help with this, you can opt for the professional service offered by VFS. INR 1000 is charged for this service. VFS also offers premium packages to speed up your visa application process.

5. Visit the visa application centre and provide biometrics

When you visit the visa application centre, make sure you carry the following:

• The letter confirming your appointment
• Your passport with at least 1 page blank on both sides for stamping your visa
• The first page of your visa application form
• All the supporting documents (if you had not uploaded it online)

At the visa application centre, you should enrol your biometric information as part of the UK student visa application process.  The Embassy will not process your visa application unless you have provided your biometric information.

Digital fingerprints of all 10 and a digital photo of your full face will be collected as part of the biometric collection. The procedure requires no extra fee, and it is quick and simple.

Read more on procedures for medical tests and biometric examinations.

You will learn about the results of your UK student visa application through email. This will take around 3 weeks. If you would like to receive SMS updates, you can opt for this VFS service. The email you receive will detail what needs to be done by you next.

5. Collecting your documents

Once you get the response, go back to the visa application centre to collect the documents you submitted. You can opt for the courier service if you are unable to collect it in person.

Carry the receipt issued by the visa application centre along with an ID proof when you go to collect your documents.

If there is a discrepancy in your visa, you should contact the VFS call centre immediately. Read more on procedures for collecting your visa and supporting documents.

Timelines for UK Student Visa

UK Student visa application timelines:

If you are applying from India, you can do so six months before your course begins. Expect to get the visa decision within three weeks. If you are applying from within the UK, you can apply three months before the start of your course and before your current visa expires. Note that your next course must begin within 28 days of the expiration date of your current valid visa. The decision on your visa is made within eight weeks, in this case.

UK Student visa travel date rules:

You cannot travel to the UK before the start date mentioned on your visa. However, any time after this visa start date, you can arrive in the UK before your course starts:

• One week before the start date of a course lasting six months maximum
• One month before the start date of a course lasting more than six months

What if your UK student visa application is refused?

If your application is refused, you’ll be informed by email, and the reason for refusal will be explained. You can request a review under the ‘Administrative Review’ option. For Administrative Review, you have 28 days from the date of receiving the decision. The cost of applying for a review is around £80 (approx. 9400 INR). It can take 12 months or more to know the result of your review application. The decision letter will tell you if a second review is allowed. If, during this waiting period, you make a fresh application to UK immigration, your review application is cancelled. 

Read more on procedures at the interview

Procedures while in the UK 

As soon as you arrive in the UK, you may need to show evidence of your reasons for being in the UK to an immigration officer. Along with your hand luggage, you should carry copies of the documents that you used to get your visa. You won’t experience any trouble when you arrive in the UK if:

• You provided the Embassy with all the information relevant to your stay in the UK when you applied for a visa
• You did not, with or without your knowledge, provide false information to support your application, and
• There has been no adjustment to your circumstances or your reasons for travelling to the UK, given that the visa was issued

If it is discovered that you have submitted false information to support your application, you will not be allowed to enter the country. You will be automatically refused a visa for the next 10 years for using deception on an application. Read more on Procedures while in the UK.

We hope you are well-equipped to handle the UK student visa application process. If in doubt, you can reach out to our counsellors who are on standby to help students. All the best for your study abroad journey!

Editor’s note: This article was originally published in January 2015. We have included up-to-date information and made it comprehensive.