Are you someone who wants to pursue further education? That too from the almighty United Kingdom? Then you just landed on the right page. A lot of students are still not aware of the whole process it takes to have a student visa. From documents to procedure, there are some essential things to know to get a UK student visa. 

Studying in UK is still a dream for many international students. And why not? Every city brings world-class universities, diverse culture, endless career opportunities, and flexible student accommodation in UK. However, one of the most important steps to secure your education in UK is applying for a UK student visa. As your go-to platform, our experts at Uninist have penned down a blog wherein we will be telling you about everything you need to secure a UK student visa. So, let’s get in to find what awaits!

What Are the General Requirements for Student Visa? 

Before moving on to the actual topic, let’s discuss what UK study visa requirements are. Here are the basic requirements to apply for a student visa: 

• The first requirement is you must be 16 years or older. 
• You should have an unconditional offer from a UK-licensed sponsor/university.
• Proof of funds to support tuition fees and living costs. 
• Adequate English language proficiency.
• A valid passport or travel documents. 

What Are the Documents You will Need for a UK Student Visa?

Now it’s time to discuss what you are actually here for. Here are the documents you will need: 

• Valid Passport or Travel Documents 
• Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies
• Proof of Funds 
• Proof of Tuition Fee Payment 
• English Language Proficiency Test Results 
• Academic Qualification 
• ATAS Certificate 
• Parental or Guardian Consent 
• Immigration Health Surcharge(IHS) Payment Receipt 
• Visa Application Form 
• Biometric Information 
• Passport Sized Photographs 
• Additional Supporting Documents

Obviously, we are not going to leave you with half information. So, let’s discuss each of them in a little more detail. 

Valid Passport or Travel Documents

• The passport or the travel documents should be valid for the entire duration of your studies in UK. 
• The passport should have at least one blank page for the visa vignette. Also, the expired or damaged passports will not be accepted. 

Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies

• The CAS is a unique reference number issued by your UK university once you have accepted the offer. 
• The CAS contains details like course title, start date, tuition fees and payments already made, and sponsor license number of the university 
• Please note that without a CAS you cannot apply for a UK student visa. 

Proof of Funds

• Proof of funds is basically the financial documents. To study in UK, you must show that you can support yourself in terms of finances.
• For universities in London the requirement is £1334 per month which is up to 9 months for living expenses. For universities outside of London the amount is slightly less, it is £1023 per month. 
• The proofs are a bank statement, letter from a financial institution, loan confirmation letter, official financial sponsorship/scholarship letter.
• Please note that the money should be in your account for at least 28 consecutive days before your application date.

Proof of Tuition Fee Payment

• You will need to show a proof of payment receipts or bank transfers showing you have paid a part of your tuition fees.
• Some universities also include this directly in your CAS. It also helps in reducing the amount of money you need to show in your bank account. 

English Language Proficiency Test Results

• You have to prove your ability to study in English and to prove that you have to pass any one of the tests like IELTS, TOEFL iBT, Pearson PTE Academic, or Trinity College London SELT. 
• The only exceptions in which you don’t need to show the proof is in case the university has exempted you or if you are from an English-speaking country. 

Academic Qualification

• You have to provide the transcript of previous education like high school, bachelors degree. 
• The documents listed in your CAS and it must be official and from recognised boards/universities. 

ATAS Certificate

• ATAS is an academic technology approval scheme and it is required for certain science, engineering, or technology courses. 
• This ATAS certificate is issued by UK foreign, commonwealth and development office. 
• You have to apply online and the approval only takes 30 working days. 

Parental or Guardian Consent

• To get your student visa approved you will need a written consent confirming support for your studies and travel. 
• You will need proof of a relationship like a birth certificate or legal guardianship papers.  

Immigration Health Surcharge(IHS) Payment Receipt

• You will require to access UK’s national health service(NHS) which costs around £776 per year.
• You have to pay this amount online during the visa application process and keep the receipt with you. 

Visa Application Form

• You have to complete your UK visa application on the official UK Government Website. Ensure accuracy because errors can delay your visa.
• Print the copy of the final submission for your own records.

Biometric Information

• You will need to provide your biometric information like fingerprints and photographs provided at a visa application centre(VAC).
• After you have given your fingerprints and photographs you will receive a biometric residence permit (BRP) once in UK.

Passport Sized Photographs

• You will require these in the case that your passport does not have biometric details.
• The UKVI guidelines for the passport size photo is 45mm x 35mm, plain background, and no filters.

Additional Supporting Documents

• Additional supporting documents which you will need are your CV/Resume, especially for post graduate students.
• The Statement of Purpose(SOP) / Personal Statement.
• Reference from employers or professors.
• Police clearance certificate if it is required by your university.

Common Mistakes You can Avoid

There are many common mistakes students make while compiling the documents. Some common mistakes you should avoid are: 

• You should not submit an incorrect bank statement which is usually not meeting the 28-days rule. 
• Using a passport with less validity than your course duration. 
• Forgetting to include CAS number in the visa form and paying tuition fees but not uploading proof. 

Avoid these common mistakes, so you can get your student visa approved without any hindrance. 

Conclusion

Getting a UK student visa in 2025 is pretty much straightforward if you follow all the steps without any mistakes. Each document you prepare is a step closer to achieving your academic and career goals in UK. 

If you have any queries regarding the documents or anything related to student visa you can check UK government website. Getting a UK student visa approved is a tricky thing, but as long as you don’t make any mistake in your papers/documents you will be clear.

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