Tier 4 Student Visa: Study in the UK

Tier 4 of the UK Points Based System replaces the UK Student Visa and is intended to allow fee-paying international students to enter the UK for the purposes of study. Approved educational establishments will need to provide the student with a certificate of sponsorship, in much the same that that an employer does for Tier 2 Visa applications. Educational establishments will therefore need to be approved by proving that they are a genuine educational establishment and they will still be obliged to report students that do not commence studies or do not attend subsequent to commencing the course.

Tier 4 UK Student Visa Categories

There are three categories of student visa that you will be able to apply for to study in the UK. Each category has its own set of criteria that must be met.

General Student
This category includes students studying in Britain at or above degree level in a publicly funded institution, or engaging in more than 15 hours of study per week. In this category you are permitted to work for 20 hours each week during term time and full-time during holiday periods. If you have any dependants they will be able to join you.

School Student
This category includes students in full time study at an independent UK school up to the age of 18. Working hours are the same as the general student category but dependents are not permitted.

Study Through Work
Students on courses of work experience or placements. Working hours will be the same as the other two categories and dependents will be permitted in instances where the principal applicant will be in the country in excess of 12 months.