Tier 4 General Student Visa:
Non-EEA nationals over the age of 16, who want to study in the UK can apply for a Tier 4 General Student visa.
Tier 4 General Students can study the following courses:
- Full-time course at NQF Level 6 (equivalent to bachelor degree level);
- Full-time course (minimum of 15 hours) at NQF Level 3 (equivalent to AS/A Level);
- An overseas course of degree level study equivalent to a UK higher education course being run by an overseas higher education institution;
- An approved postgraduate foundation programme for doctors or dentists (provided you have successfully completed an approved degree in medicine or dentistry from a registered Tier 4 sponsor and your final year and at least 1 other year of studies leading to that degree was spent in the UK).
Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS):
Following receipt of an unconditional offer of a place on a permitted course your college/university must send you a CAS reference number. You can apply for your Tier 4 General Student 3 months before the start of your course or within 6 months of receiving your CAS.
Previous UK Study Visa Holders:
- You will need a new CAS;
- Seeking a new qualification at a higher academic level; or
- A new qualification which relates to and adds to the previous qualification at the same academic level as your previous qualification;
- You are resitting exams or repeating modules; or
- You intend to complete a course you started elsewhere at a new institution.
Tier 4 General Students Financial requirements:
To show that you can adequately maintain yourself without any reliance on public funds, you will need to show that you have enough money to pay for:
- Where the course is longer than one year, the fees due for the first year;
- All of the fees if less than a one year course; or
- The full amount shown on your CAS); and
- Your full living costs (for inner London – £1,265 & other parts of the UK – £1015) per month up to a maximum of nine months (partials months are rounded up).
Time Limits on Studies
Under degree level: 2 year limit
You will have the maximum period of two years in the UK to study at below degree-level. You can study a single course or several courses.
Over degree level: 5 year limit
You will have the maximum period of five years in the UK to study at below degree-level. You can study a single course or several courses.
The limit caps apply whether the Tier 4 General migrant visa application is made inside or outside the UK.
Exemptions to the 5-year limit:
- Medicine, dentistry, veterinary medicine, architecture and science, or music at a conservatoire;
- Doctorate Extension Scheme;
- Studying or applying to study for a master’s degree following the successful completion of a degree (4 or 5 years) will be extended to a maximum of 6 years in total;
- If you have already completed a course leading to the award of a PhD, postgraduate research qualification or Research Masters Degree (as listed in Annex 4 of the Home Office guidance) in the UK, the grant of leave you are seeking must not lead to you spending more than 8 years in the UK as a Tier 4 General Migrant, or as a Student;
- Following legal qualifications: law conversion course, LPC, BPTC (UK); Masters in Legal Science (MLegSc), the Solicitors Course and the Bar Course (NI); graduate LLB and a Diploma in Professional Legal Practice (Scot).
Genuine Student Rule & Interview
UKVI interview applicants to ascertain if they are genuine students and you have the required English language skills. Questions can include:
- Your course, where you want to study, reasons for studying in the UK;
- Your education history;
- Your immigration history;
- Your personal and financial circumstances;
- Your plans after completing your course.
Length of Stay
Applications are allowed 3 months before the start of your course. You can arrive one week before the start of your course (if under 6 months), or one month before (if more than 6 months).
Can you work?
If work is allowed, it will be clear on your visa; for example 15hrs per week.
How can AIB help?
AIB frequently provide advice to international students on coming to the UK to study for the first time to extend their existing stay so that they can work towards obtaining internationally recognised qualifications.
We can advise you on what you will need to meet the requirements of the Immigration Rules, and can prepare your application so you avoid common mistakes which can result in delays or your application being refused and help you to meet academic and career ambitions.
AiB understand the complex requirements of the Immigration Rules. We offer specialist advice, increasing the chances of securing a successful outcome for your visa application.
We are approachable, responsive and proactive; taking pride in our commitment to meet the needs of our clients by providing sincere, clear, and reliable immigration advice.
Other ways we can help
We can also advise you on the following related issues:
- Tier 4 post study visa;
- Short term Study visa;
- Settlement Applications post Tier 4;
- Extension Applications;
- Applications for family members of Tier 4 students;
- Appeals Against Refusals of Spouse Applications
- Fresh applications;
- Administrative review of refused applications
- Judicial review of refused applications.