The UK Student visa (previously called the Tier 4 visa) allows students from outside the UK to study at a licensed educational institution. The UK is home to some of the world's best universities, and with a well-prepared application, getting your student visa is straightforward.

Step 1: Get an Offer from a Licensed Sponsor

Your first step is to get an unconditional offer from a UK Higher Education Institution that holds a Student Sponsor License. Once accepted, they will send you a CAS (Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies) reference number — you need this to apply for your visa.

Step 2: Meet the English Language Requirement

You must prove your English language ability. Most universities accept:

• IELTS Academic: Band 6.0–6.5 overall (varies by university and course)
• TOEFL iBT: Generally 80+ overall
• PTE Academic: Score 51–65 depending on requirement

Step 3: Prove Your Financial Capacity

You must show you have enough funds to:

• Pay your course fees (first year or remaining fees)
• Support yourself during your studies — £1,334/month for courses in London, £1,023/month outside London
• Funds must be held for 28 consecutive days before your application

If you have a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) showing your financial condition is met, or if you have an official financial sponsor, different rules may apply.

Step 4: Apply for the Student Visa

You can apply up to 6 months before your course starts (from outside the UK). The online application takes 30–60 minutes. You will need to:

1. Complete the online application at gov.uk
2. Pay the visa fee (currently £363 for applications from India) + Immigration Health Surcharge
3. Book a biometrics appointment at a UKVCAS service point
4. Submit supporting documents

Key Documents Checklist

• Valid passport (must be valid throughout your course)
• CAS reference number from your university
• IELTS/TOEFL/PTE certificate
• Bank statements (28-day rule)
• Academic transcripts and certificates
• Tuberculosis (TB) test results (required for India)
• ATAS certificate (if required for your course)

Processing Time & Decision

The standard processing time is 3 weeks. The priority service (£500 extra) gives a decision within 5 working days. We strongly recommend applying the standard route with adequate time before your course start date.

Let Shree Nand Consultants guide you through your UK student visa application. We have helped hundreds of students from Gujarat secure UK student visas. Contact us for a free consultation.