The main visa route for international students studying full-time courses at degree level or above in the UK. Replaced the Tier 4 (General) student visa in October 2020 under the points-based immigration system. Requires a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) from a licensed sponsor.
International student fees are unregulated and vary by institution: undergraduate £10,000–£38,000/yr, postgraduate £11,000–£45,000/yr, MBA programs £20,000–£60,000+. Significantly higher than home student fees (£9,250 cap).
Degree-level students: 20 hrs/week during term, full-time during vacations. Further education students may be limited to 10 hrs/week. Cannot be self-employed, fill a permanent full-time vacancy, or work as a professional sportsperson/entertainer. Work must not interfere with studies.
| Program | Type | Duration | Min Degree | Work | PR Path |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Graduate Route | Job seeker | 24mo-36mo | Bachelors | Unrestricted | No |
| Skilled Worker Visa | Work permit | 60mo | Any | No | Yes |
| Test | Purpose | Language | Min Score | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| IELTS for UKVI (Academic) | Visa | English | 5.5 | Minimum B2 level (CEFR) for degree-level courses. B1 for below-degree level. |
| TOEFL iBT | Visa | English | 72 | Reading 18, Listening 17, Speaking 20, Writing 17 (B2 equivalent) |
| PTE Academic | Visa | English | 59 | Accepted for visa and university admissions. |
| Fee | Type | Amount | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) | Health | $960 | Annual |
| Visa Application Fee | Application | $700 | One time |
TB test required for applicants from certain countries. ATAS certificate required for certain research subjects. Since July 2025, dependent applications only permitted after main student visa is granted. A new International Student Levy is under consultation for future implementation.
- UK Ancestry Visa (ancestry)
- UK Innovator Founder Visa (startup)
- UK Citizenship by Marriage (marriage)
- British Citizenship by Descent (descent)
Last verified: May 3, 2026. Source