UK Student Visa for Indians - Requirements, Process & Fees

UK Student Visa Latest Updates 2025

Below are the UK student visa new rules for Indian students in 2025:

1. Students applying on or after 02 January 2025 will need £1,483 a month to support their living expenses in London and £1,136 a month to live elsewhere in the UK. The government of the UK defines London as the City of London and the 32 London boroughs.
2. The UK student visa fee has been raised from £490 in the year 2024 to £524 in 2025.
3. Another advancement in the UK student visa policy includes that international students will only be able to change their UK student visa status to a Graduate visa after the completion of their original degree program. Earlier, students could change it without completing their original degrees.    

Types of UK Student Visa 

Students who wish to study in the UK for more than 6 months need to know about the following 3 UK Student Visas or UK visa types:

• Short-term Study Visa: Short-term UK Study Visa is for those who want to study an English language course for up to 11 months

• Student Visa: This visa category is for students coming to the UK for higher education. It was formerly termed as a Tier 4 (General) Student Visa, popularly called a Tier 4 Student Visa

• Child Student Visa: This visa is for children who are between 4 and 17 years old and wish to study at an independent school in the UK. It was formerly termed a Tier 4 (Child) Student Visa

In this article, we will focus on the "UK Student Visa". 

Recently, the Young Professional Scheme (YPS) was incepted by the Indian and UK governments, which would assist those eligible to obtain a UK Work Visa for a maximum of two years. People aged between 18 to 30 years can apply for the same.

Check: Student Guide to the United Kingdom (UK)

UK Student Visa Requirements 2025

The UK government has very specific requirements for the UK student visa. These are listed in different categories, like the English language requirements, the types of courses valid for the UK student visa, and the required documents. Other than the specifically categorised ones, here are the general requirements for getting a UK student visa: 

• The student must have received an offer of a full-time academic course from a licensed student sponsor.

• The student must have sufficient financial resources to support himself/ herself during the duration of the course.

• The student must be able to speak, read, write and understand English in an academic environment.

• If a student is aged 16 or 17, he/ she need consent from his/ her parents.

Let us check the specific requirements of a UK student visa below.

1. English Language Requirement

It is necessary to demonstrate your proficiency in the English language when submitting your UK student visa application. You may establish your English language proficiency through the following means:

1. Successfully completing a Secure English Language Test (SELT) from a recognised provider.
2. Holding a GCSE, A level, Scottish National Qualification level 4 or 5, Scottish Higher, or Advanced Higher in English, obtained through education at a UK institution while you were under the age of 18.
3. Possessing a degree-level academic qualification that was delivered in English. If your studies were conducted outside the UK, you will need to seek verification from Ecctis (formerly UK NARIC) to confirm that your qualification is equivalent to a UK bachelor’s degree, master’s degree, or PhD.

The level of English proficiency required for getting admission to degree-level courses at UK universities is CEFR level B2.

2. Required Documents' Checklist

Applying for a student visa requires you to carry a lot more documents in comparison to a tourist visa. As a part of fulfilling the UK Student Visa requirements, applicants need the mandatory documents along with supporting documents of financial and academic records. There are some other requirements as well which one should remember and meet. Make sure you refer to the UK Student Visa checklist before going to the consulate for the visa interview.

You should have the following documents before applying for a UK student visa:

• A completed student visa application form

• If you're below 18 years of age, you need to get proof of your parent's or guardian's consent and proof of your relation with the parent/guardian

• A valid passport or other valid travel document

• A letter of acceptance on the course: Your approved education provider will give you an acceptance letter (CAS or Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies) and a visa letter that are official and unconditional offers of a place on a course of study. The visa letter must be issued no more than six months before you apply. Students need to apply for their UK study visa within 6 months of receiving their CAS.

• Having a visa letter does not guarantee the application will be successful. The applicant must meet all the requirements of the category and any other requirements of the immigration rules.

• Proof of funds - The money you need to show covers your course fees for your first year of study and living costs for up to a maximum of 9 months (1 academic year). The amount you will need depends on whether you are applying as a child or adult and whether you will be studying in or out of London. You must show that you have held the money for at least 28 days. The end of that 28-day period must not be more than one month before the date of your application.

  • Starting from Jan 2025, you must show the following amount of money to meet basic living costs (minimum maintenance funds - not inclusive of tuition fees),  for a period of up to nine months i.e. £13,347 for nine months (£1,483 per month) if you are living in London and £10,224 for nine months (£1,136 per month) if you are living outside London.

  • However, if a student has been in the UK, with a valid visa, for at least 12 months, he/ she does not have to show proof of funds for visa application

• The visa fee payment confirmation receipt

• ATAS certificate if your nationality and course need it

• Payslips

• Original mark sheets/provisional certificates

• Scoresheet of exams like TOEFL, GMAT, IELTS, etc.

• TB report

3. Types of Courses valid under UK Student Visa

One can study the following types of  courses while on a UK student visa:  

• A full-time course would help to obtain a qualification which is below degree level and organised daytime study of a minimum of 15 hours a week

• A full-time course which would help to obtain a qualification which is degree level or above

• A full-time course which would help to obtain a qualification which is degree level or above, which shares the same platform as that of a UK higher education programme

• A part-time programme which would help to obtain a qualification which is above degree level 

• A known foundation course for PG doctors or dentists

• An English language programme at B2 level or above in the Common European Framework of Reference Languages

Also Check:

• Timeline for September Intake in the UK

• British Council Scholarships for Indian Students

UK Student Visa Fee 2025

The UK student visa fee is £524 (INR 59,818, as per the exchange rate on April 30, 2025), whether the students are applying from outside or inside the UK. In addition, you will have to pay the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) fee for your UK student visa in order to avail of the National Health Service (NHS). You have to pay a healthcare surcharge of £776 per year, which depends on the duration of your stay. It is to be noted that the amount of health surcharge now varies as per the location of your stay, duration of course and the university you choose to study in the UK. For more details, check https://www.immigration-health-surcharge.service.gov.uk/checker/Type.

The methods of UK student visa fee payment are stated below.

• Online using either a MasterCard or a Visa card.

• Through a demand draft at the visa application centre and selected branches of Standard Chartered Bank. 

• Through Cash at the visa application centre and selected branches of Standard Chartered Bank. 

Students must note that if they wish to extend or switch to a UK Student Visa from within the UK, they will have to pay a fee of £490 (INR 52,779.62, as per the exchange rate on December 30, 2024). Please ensure to check the UK study visa fees before making an application. 

Check: April and May Intakes in the UK for Indian Students

What is UK Student Visa Application Processing Time?

The UK student visa usually takes 3 weeks to process. However, if you need a decision on your application earlier than that, then you may do so by using either the "priority service" or the "super priority service". A priority service enables you to get a decision on your UK Student Visa application within 5 days only. While the super priority service gets your decision by the next working day. 

However, if there is something that the Home Office needs to verify from you, then it may add some additional time to get a decision than the designated period. If that happens, you will not be refunded any amount for the priority services. Here are the costs of the pririty services for the UK student visa:

 UK Student Visa Application Process 2025

There are several steps to apply for a UK Student Visa. UK Study Visa applications are processed within three weeks of the completed application being lodged. Following are the steps to apply for UK student visa:

Step 1 - Get a confirmed place/offer from the school, university or college where you intend to study. It is called a ‘confirmation of acceptance for studies’ (CAS).

Step 2 - Take the required English test such as PTE, IELTS or TOEFL, whichever suits your requirement.

Step 3 - Gather proof that you have enough money (also known as ‘maintenance or funds’) to cover your course fees and living costs in the UK.

Step 4 - Get your academic and supporting documents ready such as previous exam mark sheets, passport with complete travel history (for at least a period of last 2 years), sponsor letter, etc.

Step 5 - Fill out the online application form of the UK student visa on the government website. You will need to register and create an account on the official UK Visa website. When you have completed your online application form, you will need to print and sign your completed form. You must use the online appointment calendar to book an appointment at the visa application centre. When you have completed your online application, you will receive an email message containing your application number.

Step 4 - Pay your application fee. There are 4 ways to pay your UK visa application fee.

• Payment at Standard Chartered Bank - You can pay your fee at some branches of Standard Chartered Bank. The bank will issue a demand draft in favour of the 'British High Commission'.

• Demand draft from a nationalised or foreign bank - You can pay your fee by getting a demand draft issued by a sor foreign bank. Bank charges for this service will vary. The demand draft must be in favour of the 'British High Commission’.

• Payment at the visa application centre - You can pay the visa application fee at the visa application centre when you submit your visa application.

• Pay online - You can pay your visa application fee online using a Visa or MasterCard credit or debit card.

Step 5 – Book the biometric appointment to provide your finger prints and photographs at the visa office. Visit the visa application centre on the appointed date. The status of visa approval can be checked later on the government website.

Note: If needed, students are allowed to withdraw their applications. For this, they need to contact UKVI (UK Visas and Immigration). If their application processing has not started, their fee will be refunded.

Check out the application process for UK Student Visas in the video below:

Also Read:

You can also check out a video on Visa counselling sessions on the UK and Ireland study visa by in-house Shiksha counsellors, given below. This video covers various topics like types of student visa, step-by-step process to get a visa, document checklist, and source of funding, and commonly asked questions, from students.

Part-time Work Policy under the UK Student Visa

If you are enrolled in a bachelor's degree program or higher at a UK college that is listed on both the official ‘UKBA Sponsor list’ and the list of ‘recognized bodies’, you are allowed to work for up to 20 hours per week for (UK Student Visa) and work full-time during vacations or summer holidays. In this regard, students must note that if their course is below the UK degree level (e.g. foundation or pre-sessional English), they can work for 10 hours per week. Moreover, students who hold a Short-term Study Visa cannot work.

Check: Scholarships to Study in UK

UK Student Visa: Dependents

Latest Update: In a major change announced by the UK government, international students pursuing a non-research Master’s degree course in the country will no longer be permitted to bring along their families or dependents to the country. Read more about the new change in detail here: UK Student Visa Rule Modified: International students banned from bringing family over

The wife or children get a Dependent Visa for the same duration as the primary applicant. This is applicable to the Master's degree application only right now. Your course must be at least 9 months in duration and must be at RQF level 7 or above. Undergraduates cannot take dependents with them to the UK.

If you have a student visa, your dependents apply as 'dependent on a Points Based System migrant'. Each dependent completes a separate application form and pays a separate fee.

Along with your own maintenance funds, you need to show an additional £845 (within London) and £680 (outside London) for each dependent for each month that you are applying for up to a maximum of 9 months' maintenance funds. You can use a scholarship to cover the maintenance funds for your dependents if you already have got a scholarship. The scholarship letter must state that funds are also intended for your dependents.

UK Student Visa: Additional Information

If you want to work there after completing your studies, then you need to apply for a Graduate Visa, and afterwards a Tier 2 visa that is meant for Highly Skilled Workers. So, along with your student visa, you don’t get a work permit. You need to apply for a work visa separately.

Your spouse may work in the UK if the grant of leave is for more than 12 months. If your visa was granted for a period of fewer than 12 months or you are participating in a course of study below degree level, your spouse will not be allowed to work in the UK.

Check: Part time Work Options in UK for International Students

Premium Visa Services

While a normal UK Study Visa could take at least 3 weeks to process, students can opt for the Priority Visa Service or the Super Priority Visa Service to shorten the visa processing time for an added fee. Under the Priority Visa Application, UK Visas and Immigration aims to make a decision on your Priority Visa application and contact you to let you know that your passport is ready to be collected within 5 working days from when you submit your biometric information. Under the Super Priority Visa Application, the same work is completed within 24 Hrs. Candidates should note that the cost of this service is in addition to the visa application fee and is non-refundable if the visa application is refused, or in exceptional cases if it takes longer to process.

• UK Priority Visa has an additional cost of £500

• UK Super Priority Visa has an additional cost of £1000

How can I check the status of my UK student visa application?

The Embassy will evaluate your application before conveying the result to you. Depending on your nationality, it may take 2-3 weeks for your UK student visa processing time. Make sure that everything on your application is completed and not pending in order to avoid rejection. Certain cases may take a longer duration. With the help of your receipt, you will be able to track your application number. A reference number that would have been issued to you on your appointment day will have to be used for the same. Those who will choose SMS services will be intimated via SMS and email.

Check: Living costs for International Students in UK

Scholarships for Studying in the UK

UK’s education system is considered one of the best in the world. However, most international students need financial assistance to pursue their higher education from there. In order to fulfil the aspirations of international students, different types of scholarships are available to study in the UK. Below you will find a list of some of the top fellowships for studying in the UK.

When to Apply for a UK Student Visa Extension? 

Also Read: student visas for study abroad and student visa for prominent international study destinations:

UK Student Visa: Where to apply

The UK Student Visa process of getting a Tier 4 visa is completely online.  Below is the link where you can fill the form – Online visa application form

For Biometrics interview you need to visit the VFS Global’s Visa Application Centre in Delhi:

VFS Global Services Pvt. Ltd.
Mezzanine Floor, Baba Kadak Singh Marg,
Shivaji Stadium Metro Station,
Connaught Place, New Delhi 110001, India

Check the list of all visa application centers

UK Embassy and Consulates Addresses

1. British High Commission New Delhi

Shantipath, Chanakyapuri
New Delhi 110021

Phone: 011-24192100

2. British Deputy High Commission Mumbai

Naman Chambers, 
C/32 G Block Bandra Kurla Complex, 
Mumbai
Bandra (East) 400 051

3. British Deputy High Commission Chennai

   20 Anderson Road

   Chennai 600 006

4. British Deputy High Commission Kolkata

   1A Ho Chi Minh Sarani 

   Kolkata 700071

5. British Deputy High Commission Bengaluru

5th Floor, North Tower
Safina Towers
#3 Ali Asker Road
Bengaluru 560052