Table of Content
- Latest Updates for UK Student Visa for Indian Students
- Types of UK Student Visa for Indian Students
- When to Apply for a UK Student Visa
- How much does a UK student visa cost from India?
- UK Student Visa Requirements for Indian Students
- What are the Documents Required for a UK student visa from India?
- English Proficiency Tests for UK Student Visa
- How to apply for your student visa online?
- What is the Step by Step UK Student Visa Process?
- How much bank balance is required for a UK student visa?
- How to write an SOP for UK Student Visa?
- What is the UK Point-based Visa System?
- FAQs
UK Student Visa for Indian Students
“Never give up, for that is just the place and time that the tide will turn.” - Harriet Beecher Stowe.
The United Kingdom is home to some of the world's most prestigious universities. Yes! It's no surprise that students from India choose to study in the United Kingdom, with wonderful universities and a superb collegiate and professional milieu. Every year, the country is inundated with thousands of international students. However, in order to study in this nation, you must have a valid UK student visa. Obtaining a student visa to study in the UK, on the other hand, can be difficult and time-consuming. The United Kingdom draws 600,000 International students thanks to some of the world's best universities. This represents the amount of competition for obtaining a UK student visa. The length of your UK student visa is determined by the length of the programme offered to you, as stated in your Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS). But how long does it take for a UK student visa to be processed in India? What is the procedure for obtaining a UK student visa in India?
Continue reading to learn everything there is to know about the UK student visa application, UK student visa cost, UK student visa time period, and more.
Latest Updates for UK Student Visa for Indian Students
- In an MoU signed on July 21, 2022, India and the United Kingdom agreed to recognise each other's higher educational degrees.
- According to UCAS, the application rate for 18-year-olds from disadvantaged areas in the UK has grown from 27% in 2021 to over 29% in 2022. Furthermore, an all-time high total application rate of 44.1% has been observed. By 30 June 2022, over 683,650 students had submitted 3,049,000 applications through UCAS.
- The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras and the University of Birmingham have partnered to provide joint-degree programmes, according to Times Higher Education (THE). Two-year master's degrees in Energy Systems, Data Science, and Biomedical Engineering will be available.
- During the 2022/23 academic year, more than 38,000 students will benefit from the UK's exchange programme called "Turing Scheme."
- The QS Top Student Cities Rankings 2023, published on June 29th, named London the best city for students. London achieved an overall score of 100, with good marks for areas such as Student View, Student Mix, and Rankings, but a poor mark for cost.
- The United Kingdom government has offered 75 fully-funded scholarships for Indian students to study in the United Kingdom. The scholarships were announced to commemorate 75 years of Indian independence.
Types of UK Student Visa for Indian Students
Short-term study visas, Child student visa (Tier 4), Standard Visitor Visa, and General study visa (Tier 4) are the four types of UK study visas provided dependent on the duration of the course/program.
Type of Study Visas |
Description |
Student Visa |
This visa, like the former Tier 4 visa, is for students over the age of 18, and its validity can extend from 2 to 5 years. |
Child Student Visa |
For pupils aged 4 to 17 who have received an offer from a UK independent school. |
Standard Visitor Visa |
The regular visitor visa, which is granted similarly to individuals who travel to the UK, can also be used for short study courses. |
Study English in the UK (short-term stay) |
If you want to study English in the UK for more than 6 months, this visa allows you to remain for 6-11 months with your programme. |
When to Apply for a UK Student Visa
- You can apply for your visa up to six months before the commencement of your study. If you apply before this deadline, your application will be rejected.
- You must apply for your visa at least two weeks before the start of your course (or if you have the option of starting your studies online, at least 2 weeks before you plan to travel to the UK.)
- Allow enough time for the visa to be processed before beginning your course or travelling.
- Your visa application may take several weeks to be processed. However, due to competitiveness, the average UK student visa processing time in India differs by country.
How much does a UK Student Visa Cost from India?
Let us examine the UK student visa costs for the many types of visas available:
Visa type |
Visa fee |
General student visa (Tier 4) |
The application price is £363 or 29,395 INR, plus £680 per individual with any dependents. |
Tier 4 (Child) student visa |
The application price for a Tier 4 (child) student visa is £363 or 29,395 INR, including a healthcare premium. |
Short-term study visa |
An 11-month visa costs £200 (about 16,195 INR) plus a £470 fee. |
UK Student Visa Requirements for Indian Students
- The candidate must be at least 16 years old.
- The candidate must be able to pay the course fee. They must also be self-sufficient during their stay.
- An offer from a recognised educational institution is required for the candidate.
- The candidate's English language test scores must be at a specific level.
What are the Documents Required for a UK student visa from India?
The following documents are required for a student visa:
- The passport must be valid.
- Form for requesting a visa
- a recent passport-sized picture
- Proof of payment of the visa fee/visa application fee
- Financial evidence/proof of funds
- Acceptance for Studies Confirmation (CAS)
- A certificate from the Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) is required (If needed)
- Tuberculosis medical test results
- Compensation for the Immigration Healthcare Surcharge (IHS)
- Financial sponsor's written agreement (in case of sponsorship)
- Certificate of police clearance
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Proof of parental or legal guardian permission
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Evidence of parental or legal guardian connection
-
a copy of the birth certificate or other official document containing the names of the parents
English Proficiency Tests for UK Student Visa
You must demonstrate that you are fluent in English. The CEFR (Common European Framework of Reference for Languages) scale is used to assess the level.
You must pass the Secure English Language Test as proof (SELT).
Level of study |
English skill level (CEFR) |
Below degree level |
B1 |
Degree level or above |
B2 |
Please keep in mind that if you have applied for a degree-level or above course, you must:
- The provider can assess your English language abilities.
- You may be required to take a different exam. However, the test results must be comparable to the B2 level.
How to Apply for your Student Visa online?
- A guaranteed spot at the school, university, or college where you want to study. A 'confirmation of admission for studies' is what is termed (CAS).
- A sufficient amount of money (also known as maintenance or finances') to meet your course tuition and living expenses in the UK.
- Payment at Standard Chartered Bank - You may pay your charge at select Standard Chartered Bank branches. The bank will send a demand draught to 'The British High Commission.'
- Demand draught from a domestic or international bank - You can pay your charge using a demand draught issued by a domestic or foreign bank. The fees charged by the bank for this service will vary. The proposed demand must be in favour of "The British High Commission."
- Payment at the visa application centre - When you submit your visa application, you can pay the visa application fee at the visa application centre.
- Pay online - If you have a Visa or MasterCard credit or debit card, you may pay your visa application cost online.
What is the Step by Step UK Student Visa Process?

Here is how to apply for a UK student visa in India:
- The first stage in the UK student visa application procedure in India is to assess whether or not you qualify for the visa.
- Wait for the university to send you a Confirmation Acceptance for Studies document detailing the duration of your chosen programme.
- Maintain cash in your bank account to demonstrate that you are financially stable enough to cover your tuition and living expenses.
- Register on the official UK visa website.
- Fill out your online UK student visa application form and schedule an appointment using the calendar. You can include all of your important documents, such as your Tuberculosis certificate, English proficiency scores, and biometric information, with your application.
- Pay your £363 visa application cost.
- Conduct an interview on the appointed day and time.
UK Student Visa Processing Time
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Your supporting documentation must be validated.
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You must attend a personal circumstances interview (for example, if you have a criminal conviction)
UK student visa new rules 2022 - 23
UK student-dependent visa
How much bank balance is required for a UK student visa
How to write an SOP for UK Student Visa?
- How has the course helped you shape your career?
- Why did you decide to study in the United Kingdom?
- How much experience do you have in the specific domain?
- What are the special features of a university that you appreciated?
- What are your passions and hobbies that compliment your professional goals?
- Would you do research or look for work after finishing the course?
What is the UK Point-based Visa System?
Students should be aware that the UK Visa is a point-based visa system, and that applicants must fulfil all of the Immigration Rules and have a total of 40 points.
Factor |
Points |
A formal Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies from a fully certified student sponsor is essential for all students. |
30 points |
Students should have adequate money to cover their school fees as well as their monthly living expenses (also known as maintenance or funds) |
10 points |
As a result, if you choose to study in the United Kingdom, your employment opportunities are limitless. Needless to say, with so many top-rated colleges and courses accessible on the island, the admissions procedure may be perplexing. Click Here to register and receive support from aecc specialists in completing the application procedures with ease!