There is a Tier 4 (General) student visa and the Tier 4 (Child) student visa that can be acquired to study in tier 4 licensed sponsor institutes in the UK. For those wishing to study in the UK for a short period, there is a short-term study visa that one can apply for.

The undergraduate and postgraduate courses in UK are usually of a lesser duration and this helps cut the tuition fees and living expenses. The full-time undergraduate courses are generally of three years, while the postgraduate courses are usually of one year or more duration.

The student visa under this category is for students who intend to participate in a full time course at a UK institution of any post-16 education program. The Tier 4 – Student (Adult) visa is a flexible visa type that permits the applicants to undertake both short and long-term courses given that the course duration is at least 6 months..

Qualifying candidates must have a valid offer of enrolment from an affiliated educational institution. The applicant must demonstrate the efficiency to sustain and accommodate his/her self (or be sustained and accommodated by a host) in the UK during the study trip. The candidates are also required to prove that they are capable of paying the course fees.

An array of specific requirements are set by the UK Home Office that all applicants must meet in order to apply for a Student visa under the Tier 4 (Adult) category.

The candidates are required to submit a proof of acceptance in to a recognised course of study at an approved UK institution (sponsor), licensed by the UK Home Office. Applicants are also required to provide evidence of having sufficient maintenance funds to support their stay in the UK without undertaking employment, other than part-time and vacation jobs allowed as per the regulations for adult students.

The UK Home Office grants a Tier 4 – Student (Adult) visa to the eligible candidates in line with the duration of the initial course of study.

The visa under this category offers student the benefit of strengthening their academic base in the UK. A Tier 4 – Student (Adult) visa allows the applicants to work between 10 to 20 hours per week during term periods, depending on the course of study. Visa holders may also undertake full-time jobs in vacation periods.

After fulfilling the additional eligibility criteria, graduate level students may be able to apply for a working visa category. This might eventually lead to settlement in the UK.

The Tier 4 – Student (Child) visa is applicable for students, between the ages of 4 and 17 years, intending to study at a UK educational institution. The Tier 4 (Child) Student visa is flexible and allows students to study in a full time course of at least 6 months in duration.

The applicants must intend to be educated in a UK independent, fee-paying school. A licensed education provider acts as a sponsor who confirms the enrolment offer to the applicant. The candidates must prove their ability to maintain and accommodate themselves (or be maintained and accommodated by a host) while they study in the UK and they must show that they are able to pay their course fees.

The UK Home Office has set specific eligibility criteria that all aspiring applicants must meet in order to be entitled for a Student visa under the Tier 4 (Child) category.

Applicants are required to establish that they have been accepted into a recognised course of study at an approved UK institution authorised by the UK Home Office. Applicants will also be required to provide evidence that they have sufficient maintenance funds to support their stay in the UK. A Tier 4 Student (Child) applicant must have their parents’/guardians’ written approval for their travel, reception, and care arrangements.

Successful applicants are granted a visa in accordance with the duration of the course they wish to attend. The Tier 4 (Child) Student visa offers visa holders the advantage of developing an educational base in the UK.