FAQ for applying for a Student Visa in the UK
For stays longer than 6 months (i.e. full academic year places) you need to apply for a Student Visa.
If you are an EU citizen and are studying for less than 6 months (i.e. for one semester), you can enter the UK via the so-called "Visitors Route" without applying for a visa.
Please be aware that if you plan to take preparatory courses or similar prior to your study visit, you may also need to apply for a student visa, even if you are only studying for one semester.
There are currently no plans to compensate for the loss of Erasmus+ funding for UK academic exchanges. (Status: Summer 2022)
Through the direct exchange, students receive a tuition waiver and preferential admission to the partner university. Furthermore, students can apply for additional funding, e.g. through PROMOS, DAAD, AuslandsBAföG, or foundation scholarships. Under the following link you will find more information about funding.
If you need a visa, you must register for the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS). This costs £470 per year (as of summer 2022). Students with a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) from an EU member country can get a refund of the IHS under certain conditions.
If you have entered the UK as a Visitor (holding an EU travel document) and wish to extend your stay for one semester, you will need to leave the UK and apply for a student visa to re-enter the UK and continue your studies (Visitor Route visas cannot be used for frequent/short-term study visits).
Therefore, we advise you to determine the duration of your stay (one semester or one year) in advance.
Certain factors that may delay or hinder your visa application are:
- Unmentioned study gaps: study gaps are not bad in themselves, but all such gaps must be mentioned in the application
- Out-of-date documents attached
- Failure to translate documents into English or Welsh
- Gaps in travel history (for example, the visa office may look to see if the applicant has previously applied for a visa in the UK or another country)
Such discrepancies may delay your application or even lead to its rejection!
1. Current passport/ current travel documents.
After visa application, a new passport number can be entered online retroactively
2. Confirmation of acceptance of studies (CAS) from the partner university.
The CAS reference number remains valid for up to 6 months; if the stay is postponed, a new CAS may have to be issued
3. Proof of financial means
Students must prove that they have sufficient financial resources for their living expenses, equivalent to the following amounts:
- London: 1,334 £ /month (max. 9 months)
- Rest of UK: £1,023 /month (max. 9 months)
The amount must be in the account 28 consecutive days before the visa application.
The funds can be proven by a bank statement in the name of the student or his/her parents, a loan, or some form of sponsorship or scholarship.
4. Proof of English language skills.
For visa application purposes, only certain language certificates are accepted, see: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/prove-your-english-language-abilities-with-a-secure-english-language-test-selt
5. If applicable, declaration of consent of the legal guardian or parents for students under 18 year of age (proof of relationship required).
6. Tuberculosis test, if applicable.
1) Online visa application
- Apply online on the government website
- Pay visa fee and IHS at the same time
2) ID verification
- Confirm identity using a biometric passport through the ID app
- Download app and take a selfie and photo of passport to have your identity verified
- If biometric passport is not available: visit visa office
3) Email with result of visa application.
- Check Spam/Junk!
- eVisa can be viewed online
- If necessary, collect a physical visa certificate from the visa office
- Processing time: about 3 weeks
- It is better to apply early to avoid peak times (e.g. August)