Who can apply and when

You can apply for a Student visa to study in the UK if you are 16 or over, have been offered a place on a course by a licensed student sponsor, have enough money to support yourself and pay for your course, and can speak, read, write and understand English. If you are 16 or 17, you may be eligible for a Child Student visa instead. The Student visa has replaced the Tier 4 (General) student visa, according to GOV.UK.

When you can apply depends on where you apply from. From outside the UK, the earliest you can apply is six months before your course starts. From inside the UK, the earliest is three months before your course starts, and you must apply before your current visa expires. Decisions usually take three weeks from outside the UK and eight weeks from inside the UK. This brief is general information only, not personal immigration advice.

Fees, health surcharge and the November change

GOV.UK lists the Student visa application fee as £558, whether applying from outside the UK or extending or switching inside it. Applicants also pay the Immigration Health Surcharge, reported at £776 per year for a student. Guides citing GOV.UK and the October 2026 Statement of Changes report that living-funds amounts rise on 30 November 2026, from £1,529 a month in London to £1,570, and from £1,171 elsewhere to £1,203, held for 28 days.

The Graduate Route was also reported to change: two years if applied for by 31 December 2026, and 18 months from 1 January 2027, with three years after a PhD. Because rules change — check the official GOV.UK page before applying, paying a fee, or relying on any figure in this brief.