Why Study in the UK?

UK universities have a solid global reputation and are among the greatest in the world – four of the top 10 universities in the world are located in the United Kingdom.  UK academic research has an everyday impact on our lives and is worldwide acclaimed for its excellence. You will be immersed in centuries of high-quality academics if you study in the United Kingdom.

International students have always been welcomed to study at the UK’s universities, and those who choose to study in the UK will be standing shoulder to shoulder with some of the world’s finest brains. The Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education inspects UK institutions on a regular basis to verify that they maintain the high learning standards that are required. As a student, you will have the opportunity to learn from the best educators in the world, be creative, and enhance your skill sets and confidence.

In the UK, most undergraduate courses last three years, and shorter courses mean faster graduation and less money spent on things like tuition and living expenses. Two-year degrees are becoming more popular, whereas most postgraduate programs are only one year long.
You will have the opportunity to socialize, connect, and interact with other foreign students from all over the world, learning about all aspects of life in the process.

To study in the UK, you will need a UK student visa. This article shares all the necessary information you need to obtain a UK student visa and what you can do with it.

Types of UK Student Visa

UK Visas and Immigration manages UK visa requirements and general immigration criteria, and it offers an easy platform to help you figure out if you need a UK student visa. While Swiss nationals and EU/EEA citizens do not now require a visa to study in the UK, all other international students will need one to study n UK.

• General Student Visa:

Formerly known as a Tier 4 visa, this is the most common type of student visa, which is required for courses lasting more than six months. You can apply for the visa from anywhere in the world as long as you have been offered admission to a UK institution, can communicate in English at a suitable level for the course, and can financially support yourself for the duration of the course.
The length of the visa is determined by the length of your degree, and you can request to extend it if you want to work or continue your studies in the UK.

• Child Student Visa:

Previously Tier 4 child visa, this is a student visa for children aged 4 to 17 who want to attend a private school in the United Kingdom. The application must be submitted from outside the United Kingdom and is dependent on school placement, parental or guardian consent, and proof that living and course fees can be funded. The visa is valid for the duration of the course and can be extended up to a maximum of six years.

• Short-term Study Visa:

This student visa option is for students who desire to enroll in short courses of up to six months or English language courses of up to eleven months. This article reveals all you need to know about all three student Visa types in the UK.

Steps to Apply for a UK Student Visa

1. Get Admitted into a UK Institution:

   Applying and getting admitted into an acceptable program to study at a registered UK university or higher education institution is the first step. You can apply for courses through UCAS if you are applying for a Tier 4 (General) student visa to do an undergraduate or postgraduate course. You will be required to supply your passport number as well as proof of English language proficiency. You can apply for a visa once you have received an acceptance letter into the UK institution you applied to.

2. Prepare the Required Documents:

   You will need to show some documents as proof that you are eligible and qualified to apply for a UK student Visa. The required documents include:

• Proof financial Support
• ATAS certificate for students studying a delicate course
• Tuberculosis test results for citizens of these countries
• Health Surcharge for Immigration
• A copy of your completed visa application form that has been signed
• A valid travel passport
• 1 passport-sized color photograph that complies with the photo requirements.
• Acceptance letter from a UK university
• Parental consent for students younger than 18 years
• Appendix 8 self-assessment form with documents attached. (This is not necessary if you apply online)

Note: Any previous passports that demonstrate your travel history are acceptable. If you transmit a document that isn’t written in English, it must be accompanied by a complete, verifiable translation. Other criteria that may differ based on your home country.

3. Apply Online:

   Register and create an account on the official UK visa website. You must print and sign your full online application form when you have completed it. To schedule an appointment at the visa application center, you must use the online appointment calendar. You will receive an email message with your application number once you have completed your online application.

4. Pay your Application Fee:

   Your visa application fee can be paid in one of four ways.
   

   Standard Chartered Bank Branches: You can pay your charge at some Standard Chartered Bank branches. The bank will write a demand draft in the name of “The British High Commission.”

   Demand draft from a nationalized or foreign bank: You can pay your charge with a demand draft from a nationalized or international bank. The cost of this service will vary depending on the bank. The demand draft must be written in the name of ‘The British High Commission.

   Payment at the visa application center: When you submit your visa application, you can pay the visa application fee at the visa application center.

   Pay Online: Pay using a Visa or MasterCard credit or debit card if you want to pay your visa application fee online.

   *Find how much a UK visa application fee costs here.

5. Schedule and Attend an Appointment:

   To submit your application, image capture, and fingerprints, you must schedule and attend an appointment at a visa application center near you.

   

Language Requirement for Studying in the UK

You must pass a secure English language test to demonstrate that your spoken and written English meets British visa criteria (SELT). If you are pursuing a degree or higher, you will need to reach the CEFR level B2 of language proficiency.
Students from some countries may not need to show proof of English proficiency if they have achieved a certificate comparable to a UK degree.

UK Student Visa Interview Questions

UK Visas & Immigration (UKVI) requires Credibility Interviews to ensure that only serious foreign students are granted a student visa to study in the UK. As part of your visa application, you may be requested to attend a credibility interview.

The questions will focus on you, your academic goals, and your background. There is no reason to be scared about this interview, but being prepared can help.

The following question is a guide to give you an idea of what to expect:

• Why did you choose to study in the UK?
• Have you visited the UK before?
• Why did you choose the institution of your choice?
• Who will sponsor your education?
• What are your parents’ occupations?
• Are you traveling alone?
• Do you have family or friends in the UK?
• Where will you live in the UK?
• Describe the city you will be living in and what attracted it to you.

There are no right or wrong responses; simply be enthusiastic, calm, and, most importantly, authentic!

Working while Studying in the UK

Working part-time while studying in the UK can be a terrific way to help with the expense of living while simultaneously gaining job experience in your area.

You can work during your studies and holidays if you hold a Tier 4 (general) or Tier 4 (child) visa if you:

• are enrolled in a government-sponsored institution of higher learning
• are enrolled in a short-term study abroad program at an institution of higher learning in another country
• are at least 16 years old
• are enrolled in an NQF level 6 (degree level) or above course

However, the type of work you can do and the hours you can work may be restricted. Visit the UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA) website to learn more. If your passport sticker or identity card states ‘No Work’ or ‘Work Prohibited,’ you must not work since you will be violating your immigration conditions, which is illegal in the UK.

Working after Studying in the UK

If you find a suitable job or choose to continue studying after completing your degree, you can stay in the UK. Either seek a visa extension or move to a work visa that is suited for you. If you match the conditions, you can apply for any of the following work visas:
Tier 1 (Entrepreneur, Graduate Entrepreneur, or Investor)
Tier 2 (General, Minister of Religion, or Sportsperson) or Tier 5 (Temporary Worker – Government Authorized Exchange) are the two options available.
Check that your Biometric Residence Permit is valid for the duration of your visit to the UK.

What to do if your UK Student Visa Application is Denied

A visa rejection can be caused by a variety of issues. If your visa is rejected, you will be given a list of possible reasons for your rejection. These are expressed as pointers.
If you are able to recognize the source of the problem, the next thing to do is correct it. Do not get discouraged if you can not figure out what went wrong and have no idea what to do next. A UK student visa is frequently rejected for some common reasons which include:

• Inadequate financial sources and evidence to support international education
• Failure to affirm that a return to your home country is desired after completing education
• Documents that are incorrect or false
• Inadequate communication or language skills
• Failure to explain why a certain course or university was chosen.
• Inability to deliver credible replies during the interview
• Unethical conduct during the visa interview

You have the option of reapplying if your visa application was rejected the first time. Many students who had their visa applications denied the first time are granted the Student Visa the second time around. You must determine and correct any problem that may have contributed to the rejection.

If you have a visa interview, you can inquire as to why your application was denied. If you were not invited to attend an interview, you will be sent a document outlining the reasons for your rejection. After that, try to eliminate the cause and reapply for your UK  Student Visa.