Visa Regulations

Unless you are a European Economic Area (EEA) or Swiss national, you will need to obtain a visa to allow you to study in the UK. Obtaining a visa is known as entry clearance.

The type of visa you need depends on the duration of your course:

Courses of more than six months

It is compulsory for you to obtain entry clearance as a student before leaving your home country.

Courses of less than six months

You may enter the UK as a student visitor. You do not need entry clearance as a student visitor unless you are a visa national but you will have to satisfy immigration officers that you qualify for entry to study when you arrive in the UK you must be able to show that you have been accepted on a course of study at an educational establishment that is on the Register of Education Training Providers.

You will then be given permission to stay in the UK to study for up to six months.

Please note that as a student visitor to the UK, you will:

• not be allowed to extend your permission to be in the UK as a student or apply for more time as a student visitor
• not be allowed to work
• need to be able to support yourself financially without needing to work or claim welfare benefits

We recommend that you always seek entry clearance before you leave your home country.