# UK Student visa — requirements, cost and how to apply

> The UK Student visa needs a CAS, financial evidence, approved English and the health surcharge — apply online before travel.

The UK Student visa (Student Route) lets international students study with a licensed university sponsor. You need a CAS, financial evidence held for a set period, an approved English qualification where required, and you must pay the immigration health surcharge (IHS). Apply online, give biometrics, and apply early. All figures and rules are set by UKVI — confirm on GOV.UK.

## Quick facts
- **Visa:** Student visa (Student Route)
- **Key documents:** CAS, financial evidence, passport, English, TB test (some)
- **Health:** Immigration health surcharge (IHS)
- **Apply:** Online, before travel; give biometrics

## Key takeaways
- You need a CAS (Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies) from a licensed sponsor.
- You must show financial evidence for tuition plus living costs, held for the required period.
- You pay the immigration health surcharge (IHS) to use the NHS during your studies.
- Common refusals come from financial-evidence errors — accuracy is everything.
- The Graduate Route lets eligible graduates stay to work after the course.

## What you need for the Student visa
To apply you need: a CAS from your licensed university sponsor; evidence you can pay your course fees and living costs (held for a continuous period before you apply); an approved English-language qualification where required; and payment of the visa fee and immigration health surcharge. Some applicants also need a tuberculosis test or an ATAS certificate for certain courses. Always confirm your exact requirements on GOV.UK.

## Financial evidence — where applications fail
The single most common reason for refusal is getting financial evidence wrong: the right amount, held in an acceptable account, for the required number of days, with documents that exactly meet the rules. Study UK Now reviews your financial evidence against the current UKVI requirements before you submit, so an avoidable error never costs you your place.

## Timeline and the Graduate Route
Apply as early as the rules allow once you have your CAS. After you finish an eligible course, the Graduate Route lets you stay in the UK to work for a set period. Rules and durations change — Study UK Now keeps your plan aligned to the current guidance and confirms everything against GOV.UK.

## Frequently asked questions
### How much money do I need to show for a UK student visa?
You must show enough to cover your unpaid first-year tuition plus living costs — a set monthly maintenance amount for a set number of months, with a higher figure for London — held in an acceptable account for a continuous period before you apply. The exact amounts are set by UKVI and change, so always confirm them on GOV.UK before relying on a figure.

### How long does a UK student visa take?
Most Student visa decisions are made within a few weeks of your biometrics appointment, though times vary by country and season and priority services may be available. Apply early and check current processing times on GOV.UK.

### Can I bring dependants on a UK student visa?
Dependant rules for Student visa holders have changed in recent years and depend on your course type and level. Because the rules are specific and have tightened, always confirm your eligibility on GOV.UK — Study UK Now will check your individual case.

## Sources
- [GOV.UK — Student visa](https://www.gov.uk/student-visa) — GOV.UK
- [GOV.UK — Student visa: money you need](https://www.gov.uk/student-visa/money) — GOV.UK
- [GOV.UK — Graduate visa](https://www.gov.uk/graduate-visa) — GOV.UK

Canonical: https://studyuknow.com/guides/uk-student-visa
Verified: 2026-05-20