If you wish to come to the UK to study, then you will need to apply for a student visa. You will need to be over the age of 16, if not you can apply for a child student visa.
What are the requirements?
The main requirements of a student visa are:
- to have been offered a place at a licenced student sponsor.
- to have the relevant knowledge of English language
- to meet the requisite financial requirement in terms of paying your course fees and maintaining yourself. Different amounts are required depending on whether you will study in or outside London
- If you are 16 or 17 you will also need the consent of your parents.
The earliest you can apply is 6 months before the start of your course if you are applying from overseas, or 3 months before the start of your course if you are in the UK.
The length of the visa depends upon the length of the course you will be studying and what study you have already done here in the UK. At the end of your study you may be able to extend your visa or look to switch to a graduate visa. – HYPERLINK TO GRADUATE VISAS PAGE
You may be able to apply to bring your dependants ( partner and children) to the UK with you, depending on the course of study.
If you would like to come to the UK to learn English there is the option to apply for what is known as a Short Term Study Visa for courses which are longer than 6 months but no more than 11 months.
Child student visas
Children who wish to come to the UK on a long term basis to study, can apply for a child student visa. The requirements are similar to the student visa, but the applicant must be between the age of 4 and 17, be coming to study at an independent school, and must have the consent of their parent or guardian. A parent or guardian can join the child up to the age of 11. There is no set English requirement.
