Entering or Staying to Study

The immigration rules provide for children and adults to apply for leave to enter or remain in order to study in the United Kingdom.

Tier 4

Applications from students wishing to undertake a course of study in the UK fall under Tier 4 (General) of the points-based system. (Slightly different rules apply to those who applied for permission to stay as a student before 31 March 2009 and student visitors who come to the United Kingdom in order to undertake a short course of up to six months in duration and do not wish to work during their stay.)

Tier 4 requirements

There are three principal requirements for Tier 4 (General) applications. First, an applicant must be offered a place on a course at a UK institution which is registered on the Home Office's Register of Sponsors and obtain a Certificate of Acceptance for Studies from the sponsoring institution.

Secondly, the applicant must show that he/she has sufficient funds in order to satisfy the Home Office that course fees will be paid and the student will be able to support him/herself (and any dependants) during the period of study without having recourse to public funds. The general rule is that in order to meet this requirement an applicant will need to provide evidence of cash funds in a bank account. (The amount depends on the location and duration of the course.)

Thirdly, applicants have to demonstrate an appropriate level of English depending upon their course of study. The rules and guidance in this area are complex and subject to frequent change.

Please note that many applicants encounter problems in providing the correct evidence to prove that they have met the maintenance requirements. The Home Office's guidance notes set out detailed specifications for the supporting documents that must be provided. Failure to adhere to the letter of these requirements is likely to lead to an application being refused. You may therefore wish to obtain legal advice in order to verify your compliance.

Further information about the requirements under Tier 4 (General), including the maintenance requirements, is available here.



Those who obtain a Bachelors, Masters or PhD degree in the United Kingdom may be eligible to apply for two years leave under the Tier 1 (Post-Study Work) category of the points-based system. Further information about this is available here.

It is expected that this category will be abolished in April 2012.