Lori Meadows
International students who wish to study in the UK must apply for a student visa. The Tier 4 visa was previously the primary route for international students to obtain a study visa in the UK. However, as of 5 October 2020, the Tier 4 visa route has been replaced by the new Student Visa route. While existing Tier 4 visa holders can still apply for extensions, no new applications for the Tier 4 visa are being accepted. International students seeking to study in the UK must now apply through the Student Visa route, which allows them to live and study in the UK for the duration of their course. The Student Visa route offers flexibility, with options such as the Graduate Visa, which allows international graduates to stay in the UK for up to three years to work or look for work.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Tier 4 Visa Status | Replaced by the Student Visa for international students looking to undertake a course of study at a UK institution |
| Availability | No longer available to new applicants |
| Eligibility for Extension | Available for existing visa holders who meet the necessary criteria, such as progressing to a higher level of study |
| Options for Remaining in the UK | Graduate Visa, Skilled Worker Visa, Family Visa, and other routes depending on career goals, work opportunities, or further educational aspirations |
| Student Visa Requirements | Applicants must be 16 or older and applying for further or higher education in the UK; proof of identity is required |
| Student Visa Benefits | Allows international students to live and study in the UK for the duration of their course; permits full-time work during official vacation periods and up to 20 hours of work per week during term-time |
| Student Visa Restrictions | Does not permit business activity or permanent full-time vacancies; part-time students are not allowed to take work placements or bring dependents |
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What You'll Learn
Tier 4 Visa vs Student Visa
A Tier 4 Visa, now known as a Student Visa, is required for international students who want to study for a degree at a UK university. Applicants must be 16 or over and can apply up to six months in advance of their course start date if they are outside the UK, or three months in advance if they are already in the UK. Applicants must provide their passport number, prove their English language skills, and demonstrate that they can afford to study and live in the UK. This includes having enough money to support themselves and pay for their course. Applicants will also need to prove their identity and may need to provide consent from their parents if they are 16 or 17.
The Student Visa allows international students to work a maximum of 20 hours per week during term time and does not allow access to state benefits. Some nationalities may also be required to register with the police. Students must also comply with the conditions attached to their visa and cooperate with their school to fulfil sponsor duties. This includes keeping up-to-date contact details and informing the Home Office of any changes in their circumstances, such as a change of address.
The cost of the Student Visa depends on how long it lasts, and applicants may be able to bring their partners and children (known as 'dependants'). Applicants will usually receive a decision within eight weeks but may be able to pay more to get a faster decision. If the application is successful, applicants will receive an eVisa, which is an online record of their immigration status. They will need to set up a UKVI account to access their eVisa and link their travel document to the account.
The main difference between the Tier 4 Visa and the Student Visa is that the Tier 4 Visa is the previous name for the Student Visa. The Tier 4 Visa was replaced by the Student Visa, which now allows international students to study in the UK. Both visas have similar requirements and allow students to work a maximum of 20 hours per week during term time. However, the Student Visa has updated requirements, such as the need to prove English language skills and demonstrate financial capability.
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Work restrictions
Tier 4 was previously the primary route for international students who wanted to study in the UK. However, as of 5 October 2020, the Tier 4 visa has been replaced by the Student Visa route. While existing visa holders can still apply for extensions, no new applications for the Tier 4 visa are being accepted.
If you are an international student on a Student Visa, you are allowed to work for a maximum of 20 hours per week during term time. This includes both paid and unpaid work, and work for one or more organisations. These hours cannot be averaged over a longer period.
During official vacation periods, you are allowed to work full-time. This includes full-time internships or placements, as long as they are not a part of your course. However, term and vacation dates differ depending on the level of study, so it is important to check these dates before undertaking full-time work. Postgraduate research students, for example, have an academic year that runs continuously from 1 October to 30 September.
It is important to note that a Student Visa does not permit you to engage in business activity. This includes setting up a trading business, being employed by a company in which you hold a significant number of shares, or working for a company where you hold a statutory role. It also does not permit you to work in a position that would fill a permanent full-time vacancy.
Any work undertaken on a full-time basis must be in a temporary position, meaning the contract ends on a certain date. An exception to this is if you apply for the Graduate Visa, which allows you to work in any capacity, including full-time permanent roles.
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Eligibility
International students who want to study in the UK must apply for a Student Visa. This visa was previously known as the Tier 4 Visa, which is no longer available to new applicants.
To be eligible for a Student Visa, you must be 16 or over and want to study a course at the higher education level in the UK lasting longer than six months. You will also need to prove your identity as part of the application process.
If you are under 18 and want to study at an independent school in the UK, you may be eligible for a Child Student Visa instead.
If you are doing a master's degree or above, you may need to apply for the Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) certificate.
If you are a part-time student, you can only get a Student Visa if you are studying at RQF Level 7 or above. It's important to note that part-time students on a Student Visa are not allowed to take part in work placements through or at the university, and they are not permitted to work in their free time.
If you are an international student who has already completed a degree at the undergraduate level or above at a UK higher education provider, you may be eligible for the Graduate Visa. This visa allows you to stay in the UK for two years (or three years for doctoral graduates) to work or look for work. It's important to note that this visa is non-extendable.
If you have a partner or family member who is a British citizen or has settled status in the UK, you may be eligible for a Family Visa, which allows you to stay in the UK for up to 30 months with the possibility of extension and eventual settlement.
If you are a current Tier 4 Visa holder, you can still apply for extensions if you meet the necessary criteria, such as progressing to a higher level of study.
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Application process
The Tier 4 visa was once the primary route for international students seeking to study in the UK. However, as of 5 October 2020, it has been replaced by the Student Visa route. Consequently, no new applications for the Tier 4 visa are being accepted. Current holders of the Tier 4 visa can continue to rely on their visas until they expire and explore options to remain in the UK legally after their visa expires.
To apply for a Student Visa, you must be 16 or older and intend to study a course at a higher education level in the UK lasting longer than six months. The application process is as follows:
- Register with UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) and apply for an eVisa.
- Apply to your chosen university and receive an unconditional offer.
- Once you have received and accepted the offer, the university will provide a Certificate of Acceptance of Studies (CAS) for a fee of £25.
- With the CAS, you can initiate the visa application process. The visa application fee is £524 per applicant. You can apply for priority or super-priority service for an additional cost.
- As part of your application, you will need to prove your identity. You will usually receive a decision within three weeks.
- If your application is successful, you will get an eVisa, which is an online record of your immigration status. Set up a UKVI account and link your travel document to it.
- If you are already in the UK on a Tier 4 (General) visa or another type of visa, you can apply to extend or switch your visa for £524.
- If your stay in the UK for studies will exceed six months, you must pay an Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) as part of your application. The surcharge for a student visa is £776 per year for each full year in the UK.
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Alternatives
The Tier 4 Visa has been replaced by the Student Visa for international students who want to study at a UK institution. The Student Visa costs £524 per applicant and allows you to live and study in the UK for the duration of your course. If you are under 18 and want to study at an independent school in the UK, you may be eligible for a Child Student Visa.
If you are a graduate, the Graduate Visa allows international students who have completed an undergraduate degree or above at a UK higher education provider to stay in the UK for two years (or three years for doctoral graduates) to work or look for work. This visa is non-extendable but can be a stepping stone to more permanent visas.
If you have a job offer, the Skilled Worker Visa is an option for those whose job is on the list of eligible occupations, and the employer must be a licensed sponsor.
If you have a partner or family member who is a British citizen or has settled status in the UK, you may be eligible for a Family Visa. This allows you to stay in the UK for up to 30 months, with the possibility of extension and eventual settlement, but specific relationship and financial requirements must be met.
Short-term student visas are available for students who want to study English language courses lasting between six and 11 months.
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Frequently asked questions
A Tier 4 international student is someone who previously held a Tier 4 Visa, which was the primary route for international students to study in the UK. The Tier 4 Visa has been replaced by the Student Visa.
No, the Tier 4 Visa is no longer available to new applicants. However, existing visa holders can still apply for extensions if they meet the necessary criteria.
Tier 4 Visa holders can explore various options to remain in the UK legally, such as the Graduate Visa, Skilled Worker Visa, or Family Visa, depending on their career goals, work opportunities, or further educational aspirations.
