UK is a highly popular destination for pursuing higher education and every year, many Hong Kong students apply to study in the UK. If you are planning to study abroad in the UK, it is important to pay attention to the following information! In this article, we have compiled several important details regarding the application process for studying abroad in the UK. Applying for a student visa can be a complex process, but the information below will help you easily master the application techniques, and prepare you for your study journey.

Application Requirements for UK Student Visa

The applicant must meet the following conditions:

• Be at least 16 years old.
• If under 18 years old, must have parental consent. Students studying in independent schools must apply for a Child Student Visa.
• Must have unconditional offer from a recognized student sponsor.
• Must have sufficient funds to pay for tuition and living expenses, but there is no need to submit financial proof proactively.
• Must provide English language proficiency proof that meets the requirements (Degree level or above: CEFR B2, Below degree level: CEFR B1).

Only the following types of courses are eligible for this Student Visa application:

• Daytime courses below degree level (RQF level 3/4/5), such as Foundation, Diploma, etc., with at least 15 hours of classes per week.
• Full-time courses at degree level or above (RQF level 6/7/8), i.e. Bachelor’s degree or above.
• Part-time courses at postgraduate level (RQF level 7/8), i.e. Master’s or Doctorate.
• Recognized foundation programmes (for doctors and dentists).
• English language courses (CEFR B2 or above).

Don’t forget to check if you are eligible before applying, so that you can have a smooth and wonderful experience studying abroad in the UK!

Documents for UK Student Visa

Here are the documents that you will need to prepare for your UK study abroad application process.

1. A valid passport
2. Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) from a recognized educational institution
3. Proof of financial support (not required for applicants from Hong Kong or BNO holders)
4. Parental consent letter and proof of relationship (only for applicants under 18 years old)
5. Tuberculosis test results
6. Financial sponsor’s consent letter (if tuition and living expenses will be covered by someone else)
7. ATAS certificate (required for certain sensitive research programs)”

Application Time for UK student Visa

If you wish to apply for a UK study visa from outside the UK, you must submit your application within 6 months before the start of the course. However, you must have already received an unconditional offer and a CAS to apply, as conditional offers are not accepted. You can submit your required documents, pay the fees, and provide your biometric information (fingerprints and photo) through the online system. Generally, the application result will be announced within 3 weeks.

If you are already in the UK and wish to switch to a study visa from another visa, you can apply as early as 3 months before the start of the course. It’s important to note that you must apply before your existing visa expires and the course must start within 28 days after your existing visa expires. The processing time for applications submitted within the UK is approximately 8 weeks.

Process of Applying for UK Student Visa

Currently, the UK study visa must be applied through an online system. Here are the steps for applying from outside the UK:

1. Obtain an unconditional offer from a recognized educational institution and receive a CAS reference number.
2. Apply for the visa within 6 months and check the latest Student Visa application requirements and required documents on the Gov.uk website.
3. Prepare the required documents and submit the application through the online system, and pay the visa fee. Dependents must submit their own separate application.
4. Visit the UK visa application center in North Point or Quarry Bay to provide fingerprints and a photo.
5. The result is usually issued within 3 weeks, and there may be an interview during the approval process. If necessary, you can also pay for priority processing service.
6. When approved, you will receive a Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) with your biometric information (fingerprints and photo).
7. You can enter the UK one week before the course starts (for courses less than 6 months) or one month before (for courses longer than 6 months) after your visa is approved.

Fees for UK Student Visa

• Visa application fee (per person): If applying from outside the UK, it is only £348(around HKD 3444), but if applying within the UK, it will be £475(around HKD4700).
• Proof of financial support for 9 months: Outside of London- £1,023 per month (around HKD10124) or in London- £1,334 per month (around HKD13201).
• Healthcare surcharge: £470 (around HKD4651) per person per year.

Validity Period for UK Student Visa

The validity period of a UK study visa depends on the type and length of the course, as well as the applicant’s previous education in the UK. For applicants over 18 years old, a Student Visa for degree courses is generally granted for up to 5 years. For courses below degree level, such as diplomas or foundation courses, a visa for up to 2 years can be obtained. If the course is not completed or the applicant continues their studies before the visa expires, they can apply for an extension.

After completing a bachelor’s or above degree course, graduates can apply for a Graduate Visa and continue to reside in the UK for at least 2 years. The Graduate Visa is considered a type of short-term work visa, which can be used by applicants while searching for a job. Once a job is found, it can be converted to a long-term work visa, such as the Skilled Worker Visa.