To travel to the UK to attend a university, school, or education course, most foreign visitors will need a visa, an Electronic Visa Waiver (EVW), or an eTA visa waiver. This is a mandatory requirement for most nationalities and must be fulfilled before traveling to a British port of entry.

To explain how to travel to the UK as an overseas student, this page will help you better understand:

  • Who is eligible for a UK student visa
  • What kind of visas students must hold to enter the UK
  • What documents you will need for a student visa

What documents are required for a UK study visa?

To be approved for a UK study visa, visitors will need to meet a number of important prerequisites. These vary according to the educational purposes.

For short-term visas, applicants can register online and will only need to provide travel information and identification documents when registering. This applies to applicants who are eligible for the UK eTA and the EVW.

The main requirements for an eTA or EVW include:

  • Submission of a completed application form
  • Provide a valid passport
  • Provide travel itinerary details
  • Provide an accommodation address (EVW only)
  • Payment of visa fees

For long-term visas, applicants will need to provide more detailed documentation. You must also go to a UK consulate or embassy to apply for this travel authorization.

What study visas are available for Education in the UK?

There are several ways in which applicants can successfully obtain travel authorization to stay in the UK for study purposes. The exact type of visa needed ultimately depends on the amount of time visitors intend to reside in the country for study purposes.

Students can enter the country with one of the following documents:

  • Tier 4 Student Visa
  • Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA): Short-term study only
  • Electronic Visa Waiver (EVW): Short-term study only
  • Travel Visa

In the case of an eTA, the applicant will need to complete an online application at least 3 working days before their intended arrival date in the UK. Once approved, the visa waiver is then sent directly to the applicant’s email address and guarantees several short stays in the country.

EVW has a similar application process but is single-use. However, it allows a stay in the country for up to 6 months.

Applicants who are not eligible for the eTA or EVW system will instead need to apply for a visitor or study visa at a British consulate or embassy nearest to them. This involves an interview to assess eligibility and submitting additional documentation. For longer courses of study it may also be mandatory to provide proof of sponsorship from an authorised institution in the UK.

Who is eligible for a UK study visa?

Anyone wishing to study in the UK and is not a citizen of one of the countries with a visa-waiver travel arrangement with Great Britain must hold a valid visa or visa waiver.

Foreign students will be able to obtain a visa or visa waiver based on specific criteria.

The easiest option for students who are about to undertake a study lasting a few months is with an Electronic Travel Authorization. This is expected to be launched shortly for citizens of the European Economic Community and other nationalities eligible for the visa-free travel program.

For citizens of Qatar, Kuwait, Oman and the United Arab Emirates, it is also possible to apply online for an electronic visa waiver (EVW) to stay a maximum of 180 days in the country for short-term studies.

Other foreign nationals will be able to visit the UK for short courses or for professional training on a visitor visa. However, this type of visa cannot be used for:

  • Courses of study lasting more than 30 days
  • Living in the UK long-term
  • Obtaining Sponsorships from Government Entities

For all other courses of study, travelers will need to obtain a Tier 4 study visa. This can also be obtained from a foreign mission in the UK no earlier than 3 months before travel to Britain.