Short Term Study Visa

Many students from around the world come to the UK to study for a range of qualifications. Learn about the Short Term Study Visa here.

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A quick look

How long can I stay in the UK?

Your specific length of stay will depend on your course, but this visa is for courses that last from six months to 11 months. In addition, you can stay an extra 30 days after the end the 11 month period.

Where can I study?

The institution you study at must be accredited in the UK, or an eligible overseas provider if you are coming to the UK as part of an overseas study course. The Government’s website has a page where you can find lists of accredited institutions.

What am I allowed to do with a Short Term Study Visa?

You can do the following:

Study your course

What am I not allowed to do with a Short Term Study Visa?

You cannot do the following:

Study another course or change your course
Study at a state-funded school
Undertake any work, such as paid work, unpaid work, work experience, or a work placement
Bring your dependants with you

Apply for public funds or a State Pension; this is known as ‘no recourse to public funds’

Short Term Study Visa

The normal Student Visa is not the only option for overseas students who want to come and study in the UK.

If you want to study in the UK for a shorter period of time, then you can instead apply for a Short Term Study Visa.

However, it should be noted that this visa is only available if you want to study an English language course in the UK. You can not use it to study anything else.

Requirements

Before you apply for the Short Term Study Visa, you should be aware of the requirements for it. If you do not meet them, your visa application will not be successful.

The requirements are:

Be aged over 16
Have been accepted onto an English language course that lasts between 6 and 11 months, and you are not studying nothing else
Be studying a course at an accredited institution
Have enough funds to support yourself without working or benefits, or have family and friends that plan on supporting you during your stay
Be able to pay for your journey out of the UK once you complete your course

However, please note that those aged under 18 will need to provide proof of parental consent or the consent of their guardian as part of their visa application. As they are not legally an adult, they cannot travel alone to the UK without the permission of their parents or guardian.

Under 18s also need to provide proof that they have already made arrangements to travel to the UK, and also for where they plan to stay.

How long does the Short Term Study Visa last?

As the name suggests, the Short Term Study Visa does not last as long as most visas, and is the the shortest of all the various types of study visa.

The minimum amount of time you can be in the UK on this visa is six months, whilst the maximum number is 11 months. You can also stay an extra 30 days if your visa is no longer than 11 months.

If you want to study in the UK for longer, then you will need to apply for a Student Visa, which lets you stay in the UK for either two years or five years depending on what you are studying. However, you will need to be sponsored to do your qualification by a valid Sponsor Licence holder.

Can I bring my dependants?

As the Short Term Study Visa does not allow you to stay in the UK for very long, you will not be able to bring your dependants with you.

Short Term Study Visa fees

The application fee for this visa is £200, regardless of where you are applying from.

Do I have to pay the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS)?

Yes, you will also need to pay the Immigration Health Surcharge, which is usually £776.

The IHS fee is a requirement for any visa that lasts for more than six months, and gives you access to NHS services.

Other information

You can apply up to 3 months before you plan to travel to the UK
As part of your application, you will need to have an appointment at a visa application centre to provide your biometric information
It takes 3 weeks to get a decision, unless you pay to make it faster
Any documents will need to be translated into English or Welsh by a Sworn Translator
If you overstay on your visa, you will be punished

The information contained on this page is sourced from UK Visas and Immigration and is subject to change. While Woodcock Law Limited makes every effort to keep this information current, prices and information cannot be guaranteed and should always be checked on www.gov.uk.

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