Student visa for the UK

Since Brexit, French and other European students who want to study in the UK may need a UK student visa. For long-term courses, this is generally the Student visa, which replaced the former Tier 4 (General) student visa.

To qualify, you must usually have been accepted by an approved education provider, receive a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS), have sufficient financial resources and, in most cases, demonstrate the required level of English.

Who needs a student visa for the UK?

The Student visa is intended for people aged 16 or over who want to take an eligible course with a UK education provider holding a student sponsor licence.

It can cover undergraduate, master's and doctoral studies, certain courses below degree level and some English language courses.

Different rules apply to short-term study. A French citizen can, for example, study in the UK as a visitor when the course lasts up to 6 months and meets the requirements applicable to visitors.

For an English language course lasting more than 6 months and up to 11 months, there is also a specific visa called the Short-term study visa.

What are the requirements for a Student visa?

To apply for a Student visa, you must first have received an unconditional offer for an eligible course from an education provider holding a student sponsor licence.

The education provider will then give you a reference called a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS). You need this reference to apply for your visa.

Depending on your circumstances and your course, you may also need to:

• be at least 16 years old;
• have enough money to pay for your studies and support yourself;
• demonstrate the required level of English;
• obtain consent from your parents or legal guardians if you are under 18;
• obtain an Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) certificate for certain sensitive courses or research;
• provide other supporting documents where required.

What is a CAS?

The Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies is an electronic reference issued by your education provider after you have been accepted. It contains information used by the UK authorities to assess your visa application.

You must submit your Student visa application within 6 months of your CAS being issued.

What level of English is required?

Most applicants must prove that they have a sufficient level of English to study in the UK.

The minimum level depends on the course:

• CEFR level B2 for a degree-level course or above;
• CEFR level B1 for a course below degree level.

You can demonstrate your knowledge of English in different ways depending on your circumstances, including with a recognised qualification or an approved Secure English Language Test (SELT).

For certain degree-level courses or above, a higher education provider may assess the applicant's English level itself. The equivalent of B2 is still required.

How much does a UK Student visa cost?

The current fee for a Student visa application is £558, whether you apply from outside the UK or, where permitted, from within the UK.

In addition to the visa fee, you will generally need to pay the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS), which gives you access to the NHS during the period covered by your visa.

The current student rate for the IHS is £776 per year. However, the amount you actually pay depends on the length of your visa and may therefore be higher than simply multiplying the number of academic years in your course.

Can you get an IHS refund with an EHIC?

In certain circumstances, a full-time student from a European Union country can apply for a full or partial refund of the IHS if they have a valid European Health Insurance Card (EHIC).

Conditions apply, particularly regarding the period covered by the EHIC. A student applying for this refund must also not work or intend to work in the UK during their studies.

To understand how the UK healthcare system works, you can also read our guide to the NHS in the UK.

How much money do you need for a Student visa?

You must normally have enough money to cover your course fees as well as your living costs in the UK.

For course fees, the amount you need to show corresponds to the cost of one academic year, up to 9 months. The relevant amount is stated on your CAS.

In addition, you currently need the following amount to support yourself in the UK:

• £1,529 per month in London;
• £1,171 per month outside London.

These amounts are calculated for a maximum of 9 months. For a course lasting 9 months or longer, this therefore represents up to £13,761 in London or £10,539 outside London, in addition to any outstanding course fees.

How long must the money be held in your account?

When you need to provide financial evidence, the funds must generally have been available for at least 28 consecutive days. The end of this 28-day period must be within 31 days of the date you apply for your visa.

Specific rules for French students

France is one of the countries covered by the differential evidence requirement. In practice, a French citizen does not normally need to submit financial evidence with their application.

They must still meet the financial requirements: UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) can ask for supporting evidence before making a decision. It is therefore important to be able to provide it if requested.

What documents do you need?

The documents required depend on the student's individual circumstances. At a minimum, you must have:

• a valid passport or other valid travel document;
• your Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) reference.

Depending on your circumstances, UKVI may also ask for evidence of your financial resources, an ATAS certificate, a tuberculosis test, parental consent if you are under 18, or written consent from your financial sponsor.

How do you apply for a Student visa?

You apply for a Student visa online. If you are applying from outside the UK, you can generally apply up to 6 months before your course starts.

You will need to provide your CAS details, submit the required supporting documents, pay the visa fee and IHS, and prove your identity using the procedure specified during the application process.

If your application is successful, your immigration status is available as an eVisa linked to your UKVI account.

How long does it take to get a Student visa?

For an application made from outside the UK, a decision is generally made within 3 weeks.

For certain applications made from within the UK, the usual processing time is 8 weeks.

Faster processing services may be available in some circumstances for an additional fee.

When can you arrive in the UK?

Once your visa has been granted, you can generally arrive in the UK:

• up to 1 week before the start of a course lasting 6 months or less;
• up to 1 month before the start of a course lasting more than 6 months.

You cannot enter the UK before the start date shown on your visa.

Can you work with a Student visa?

Yes, some Student visa holders are allowed to work, but their work rights depend on the level of the course and the type of education provider.

For a full-time course at degree level or above with a higher education provider that meets the relevant requirements, work is generally limited to 20 hours per week during term time. Full-time work may be permitted during university holidays.

For certain full-time courses below degree level, the limit may be 10 hours per week during term time.

Other courses, including certain part-time courses, do not allow students to work.

If you want to work during your studies or prepare for your future career, our guide also explains how to find a job in the UK.

Can you bring your partner or children?

Not all Student visa holders can bring their partner or children to the UK as dependants.

Your partner and children may be eligible as dependants if you are:

• a government-sponsored student taking a course lasting more than 6 months;
• or a full-time student taking certain postgraduate courses lasting at least 9 months.

For postgraduate courses starting on or after 1 January 2024, the course must generally be a PhD or other doctorate, or a research-based higher degree.

Each family member must submit their own application, pay the relevant fees and, where applicable, the IHS. Additional financial resources must also be demonstrated.

What can you do after your studies in the UK?

After completing an eligible course, some graduates can apply for a Graduate visa to remain in the UK and work or look for work.

The length of this visa depends on the date of application:

• 2 years for an application made on or before 31 December 2026;
• 18 months for an application made on or after 1 January 2027;
• 3 years for PhD holders or those with another doctoral qualification.

The Graduate visa cannot be extended, but it may be possible to switch to another visa category afterwards, including a work visa if you meet the relevant requirements.

Which visa do you need to study English in the UK?

The visa you need depends in particular on the length and type of course.

For an English language course lasting 6 months or less, it is generally possible to study under the rules applicable to visitors.

For a course exclusively dedicated to learning English lasting more than 6 months and up to 11 months, the Short-term study visa may be used. It currently costs £228.

This visa is more restrictive than the Student visa: in particular, it does not allow you to work, undertake a work placement, bring dependants or extend your stay using the same visa.

For an English language course lasting more than 11 months, you will generally need to consider the Student visa, provided you meet the relevant requirements.

FAQ about the UK Student visa

Does a French citizen need a visa to study in the UK?

It depends on the length and type of study. For a course lasting 6 months or less that meets the rules applicable to visitors, a Student visa is generally not required. For many longer courses, however, a Student visa is required.

How much does a Student visa cost?

The application currently costs £558. You will generally also need to pay the Immigration Health Surcharge, currently set at £776 per year for students. The total amount depends on the length of your visa.

How much money do you need in your bank account?

In addition to any outstanding course fees, you currently need £1,529 per month in London or £1,171 per month elsewhere in the UK, for a maximum of 9 months. Exceptions apply depending on the applicant's circumstances.

Do French students need to provide bank statements?

Not systematically. France benefits from the differential evidence requirement, which means that a French student does not normally need to submit financial evidence immediately with their application. UKVI can, however, request it while assessing the application.

Can you work with a Student visa?

Yes, when the conditions of the visa allow it. For many full-time students taking a degree-level course or above, the limit is 20 hours per week during term time. Other students may be limited to 10 hours or may not be allowed to work.

How long does it take to get a Student visa?

An application made from outside the UK generally receives a decision within 3 weeks. The usual processing time is 8 weeks for certain applications made from within the UK.

Can you stay in the UK after your studies?

Yes, under certain conditions. The Graduate visa allows eligible graduates to remain in the UK after their studies. It is granted for 2 years for applications made on or before 31 December 2026, then for 18 months for applications made on or after 1 January 2027. It remains valid for 3 years for PhD holders or those with another doctoral qualification.

Summary

To study in the UK for an extended period, a French or European student will generally need to obtain a Student visa. The application is based in particular on admission to an approved education provider and obtaining a CAS.

• Student visa fee: £558.
• Student IHS: £776 per year, with the total amount calculated according to the length of the visa.
• Living costs in London: £1,529 per month, for up to 9 months.
• Living costs outside London: £1,171 per month, for up to 9 months.
• English level: generally B2 for degree-level study or above and B1 below degree level.
• Indicative processing time from outside the UK: 3 weeks.
• Work: up to 20 hours per week during term time for certain full-time courses at degree level or above.