Quick Answer: To get a UK Student visa in 2026, you need a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) from a licensed sponsor, proof of funds, English at CEFR B2 for degree-level courses, and the £558 application fee plus the healthcare surcharge. You can apply up to six months before your course starts, and decisions usually take about three weeks from outside the UK.
Applying for a UK student visa feels like a pile of paperwork until you treat it as a sequence. Each step unlocks the next, and most refusals trace back to one missed detail, usually funds or dates.
This checklist covers the main UK student visa requirements as they stand in October 2026, with the figures you’ll need and the mistakes to avoid. If you’re still choosing a course, our Course Finder lets you compare options first. Rules change often, so confirm every number on GOV.UKbefore you pay.
What Are the UK Student Visa Requirements in 2026?
You must have an offer from a licensed sponsor, enough money, the right English level and a valid passport. Some applicants need extra documents on top.
• A CAS: Your university or college issues this once you’ve met your offer conditions. You must apply within six months of receiving it.
• Proof of funds: First-year course fees plus living costs (details below).
• English language: CEFR B2 for degree level and above, B1 for courses below degree level. Some nationalities are exempt.
• A valid passport or travel document.
• Where relevant: a tuberculosis test certificate, an ATAS certificate for certain subjects, and parental consent if you’re under 18.
How Much Money Do You Need to Show?
You need your first year’s tuition fees (as stated on your CAS) plus living costs for up to nine months. You also pay the visa fee and healthcare surcharge when you apply.
Item | Amount |
Student visa fee (from 8 April 2026) | £558 |
Healthcare surcharge | £776 per year of visa length (use the GOV.UK calculator to confirm) |
Living costs, London | £1,529 a month, up to 9 months (£13,761) |
Living costs, outside London | £1,171 a month, up to 9 months (£10,539) |
Tuition | First year, as shown on your CAS |
Here’s a worked example. Say you’re studying outside London and your first-year fee is £9,250. You’d need to show £9,250 plus £10,539, which is £19,789, minus any deposit you’ve already paid the university.
The catch is timing. Your money must sit in your account for 28 consecutive days, and the end of that period must fall within 31 days of your application. A last-minute transfer won’t count.
How Do You Apply for a UK Student Visa?
You apply online after your CAS arrives. Follow these steps in order.
1. Accept your offer and meet every condition, such as grades or an English test.
2. Request your CAS from your university or college.
3. Build your funds and hold them for a full 28 days.
4. Prove your English with an approved test, a UK qualification, or a degree taught in English that Ecctis can confirm.
5. Check for extras: a TB test if you’re from a listed country, and ATAS if your subject needs it.
6. Complete the online application, pay the £558 fee and the healthcare surcharge.
7. Book your identity check and upload or hand over your documents.
8. Wait for your decision, and don’t travel until you have it.
When Should You Apply?
Apply as early as you’re allowed. From outside the UK, you can apply up to six months before your course starts. From inside the UK, the window is three months.
Decisions usually take about three weeks from outside the UK and about eight weeks from inside. July to September is the busiest period, so those timelines can stretch. In practice, aim to submit at least two months before your start date so a document query doesn’t cost you your place.
What English Level Do You Need?
Degree-level courses need CEFR B2, while courses below degree level need B1. Your provider can ask for more than the visa minimum, so check your CAS and offer letter.
An HND sits below degree level, so the visa minimum may be B1, but many colleges set a higher bar. Our guide to university routes without A-Levels explains how entry requirements differ between courses.
You can prove your level in three common ways:
• An approved English test
• A UK school qualification or UK degree
• A degree taught in English outside the UK, confirmed by Ecctis
Can You Work or Bring Family on a Student Visa?
You can often work part time, but your visa sets the exact limit. Degree-level students are commonly allowed up to 20 hours a week in term time, so read the condition printed on your own visa. You can’t be self-employed or claim public funds.
Dependants are far more restricted. Only two groups can bring them: students on a government-sponsored course longer than six months, and full-time postgraduates on a research-based course such as a PhD. Undergraduates and taught master’s students can’t.
What Changed for 2026, and What’s Coming?
Costs have risen and post-study time is getting shorter.
• Visa fee: up from £524 to £558 on 8 April 2026.
• Living costs: increased on 11 November 2025 from £1,483 and £1,136 to the current £1,529 and £1,171.
• Graduate route: for applications made on or after 1 January 2027, bachelor’s and master’s graduates get 18 months instead of two years. PhD graduates keep three years.
The trade-off is worth planning around. If you finish your course after January 2027, you’ll fall under the shorter Graduate route.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does a UK student visa take?
Usually about three weeks from outside the UK and about eight weeks from inside the UK. Busy periods can be slower, and some applicants can pay for a faster decision.
Can I get a student visa without IELTS?
Yes. IELTS is one of several approved tests. A UK qualification or an English-taught degree confirmed by Ecctis can also work, and some nationalities are exempt.
Do I need to show my full tuition fees?
You need to show enough to cover one academic year of fees, as stated on your CAS. Any deposit you’ve already paid to the university can be deducted.
Do I need a TB test?
Only if you’re applying from a listed country and your course is longer than six months. Check the current country list on GOV.UK before you book.
Your Next Steps Before You Apply
Start with the two things that cause the most delays: your CAS and your funds. Once your offer conditions are met, ask for your CAS straight away and begin the 28-day clock on your savings.
From there, the rest is routine. Book your English test if you need one, check whether a TB test or ATAS certificate applies, and aim to submit your application at least two months before your course starts.
Not sure which course or route fits you? Browse undergraduate degree options, read our foundation year guide, or talk to our team when you’re ready to apply.