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Entering or Staying to Study

Anyone wishing to study in the United Kingdom must be able to show that they have been accepted for a course of study with an organisation which has been registered by the Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills. The Register of Education and Training Providers can be found here.

Student visitors

If your course is for a period of less than six months then you can apply to enter as a "student visitor". Student visitors are not permitted to take employment or extend their stay. Visa nationals need to apply for entry clearance in this category and, although non visa nationals do not need entry clearance, they must satisfy the immigration officer on arrival that they meet the relevant requirements.

Obtaining leave to ENTER as a student

Unless you are a non visa national and you plan to study on a course for less than six months, you must obtain prior entry clearance before coming to the United Kingdom as a student.

You will need to be able to satisfy the immigration authorities that:

  • You intend to follow a full-time degree, a weekday full-time course involving 15 hours organised daytime study in a single subject or related subjects or a full-time course of study at an independent fee-paying school.
  • You intend to leave once the course has finished (though this need not be the case when taking courses at degree level or above)
  • You do not intend to take a full time job or engage in business (although students may work part time for up to 20 hours per week in term time and full time during vacations)
  • You are able to meet the cost of your course, accommodation and maintenance without taking employment and without recourse to public funds.

For further information see the UK Border Agency web site.

Obtaining leave to REMAIN as a student

If you are in the United Kingdom you can apply for further leave to remain as a student if you can show that you already have permission to be in the country as a student or prospective student but an extension will not be granted beyond a maximum of two years if you study on "short" courses, which are courses of less than one year's duration or uncompleted longer courses. It is also possible to switch status if you intend to follow a course at degree level or above but this is limited to people with leave in certain categories which are listed here.

An application for further leave to remain as a student should be made on Form FLR(S). Certain applicants currently need to apply for a "biometric immigration document" but this requirement will be extended to all applicants in the future and, in the meantime, all applicants must provide information in section 7 of the application form relating to these new identity cards.
Student Nurses
There are specific rules governing applications by student nurses. See sections 63 to 69 of the immigration rules relating to students on the Border and Immigration Agency web site.
Postgraduate Doctors & Dentists
The Home Office ‘Working In The UK’ site has specific guidance for applications from postgraduate doctors and dentists.
See also:
Your spouse/civil partner and children
Your spouse/civil partner and children will usually be allowed leave to enter with you for the duration of the course - provided you can show that you have the means to support and accommodate them without recourse to public funds.

...the immigration specialists
©2008 Wesley Gryk Solicitors LLP. Last updated 3 July 2008