Short-Term Study Visa
The short term student visa is for those who want to come to the UK to study for a short period of time on a course that does not include a work placement or work experience.
There are 3 short term student visa routes:
- short-term student (6 months) – for applicants aged 16 and over for a maximum of 6 months’ study
- short-term student (11 months) – for applicants aged 16 and over for a maximum of 11 months’ English language study only
- short-term student (child) – for applicants aged under 16 for a maximum of 6 months’ study
NOTE: Tier 4 student (Points Based System) visa route should be used to come to the UK to study:
- an English language course that lasts longer than 11 months
- any other course that lasts longer than 6 months (other than distance learning, which is addressed under “Studying at a UK Institution by distance learning”)
- a course that includes a work placement or work experience, with the exception of electives, as in paragraph A57D(a)(iii) of the Immigration Rules
To be eligible to apply under short-term visa route applicants must:
- be genuinely seeking entry to study as a short-term student
- be aged 16 or over
- have been accepted:
- on a course of study by an accredited institution
- by a UK higher education institution (HEI) to undertake research or learn about research (short-term student (6 months only)
- to undertake an elective course linked to their graduate level study, where they are studying medicine, veterinary medicine and science, or dentistry as their principal course of study at an overseas HEI
Applicants for short term student visa must not intend to study at an academy or state-funded school (e.g. one which provides free education and is funded mainly from public funds).
- intend to leave the UK within 30 days of the end of their course or at the end of the 6 month or 11 month period of leave granted, whichever is the earliest
- maintain and accommodate themselves out of funds available to them
- meet the cost of their onward or return journey
- hold a valid entry clearance as a short-term student (when they arrive in the UK) if they are a visa national seeking to come to the UK for any length of time, or if they are a non-visa national seeking to come to the UK for more than 6 months
- hold a valid tuberculosis (TB) certificate (required depending on country of residence (list of countries is here )
- If the student is aged 16 or 17, they must also:
- show that suitable arrangements have been made for their travel to, reception and care in the UK
- have a parent or guardian in their home country or country of habitual residence who is responsible for their care and who confirms that they consent to the arrangements for the applicant’s travel, reception and care in the UK
