Short Term Study Visa

What can you do on the Short-Term Study Visa?

Short-Term Study Visa holders can take English language courses lasting six to eleven months.

Since 1 December 2020, the Student Visitor Visa has no longer existed. Instead, non-visa nationals may be able to come to the UK to study on the Standard Visitor Visa for under six months. The Short-Term Study Visa only permits studying English language courses.

The Short-Term Study Visa should not be confused with the Student Visa, which is a separate category. To satisfy the criteria as a genuine short-term student:

• You can only study an approved English Language course that meets eligibility requirements
• If you can prove that your course lasts less than eleven months, you are permitted to stay in the UK for the duration of your stay plus 30 days.

Contact us on +44 (0)333 414 9244 or enquire online for more information or apply for a short-term student visa in the UK. 

Short-Term Study Visa UK Requirements

To apply for this short-term study visa, you must meet the following requirements:

• You are over 16 years old
• You have been accepted on an eligible English language course
• The course is solely an English language course
• The institute or course provider is accredited and registered
• You have sufficient funds to support yourself, including living costs without working
• You can pay for your journey home

As well as this, if you are under 18 years old, you must ensure you have:

• Proof that you have organised a place to stay and made travel arrangements
• Confirmation that your parents’ or guardians’ consent to your studying in the UK

To be granted this visa, you must show that you intend to study solely on the course for which you were granted permission.

In addition, you must leave the UK within 30 days after the end of your course. If you fail to do so, you could be at risk of breaching immigration rules, which may jeopardise future applications.

You are not permitted to work, undertake a work placement or any work experience.

Similarly, you are prohibited from taking on any business or professional activities for the duration of your visa.

What are the course requirements?

To study in the UK on this visa, your course provider must be either an accredited UK institution or an eligible overseas course provider (if you are studying in the UK as part of an international course).

You must ensure that your course provider is an eligible accredited institution.

Your accredited institution must hold a valid student sponsor licence or accreditation and be listed by one of the following bodies:

• Accreditation Service for International Colleges
• Accreditation UK
• British Accreditation Council
• Education and Training Inspectorate (Northern Ireland)
• Estyn (Wales)
• Education Scotland (Scotland)
• Independent Schools Inspectorate
• Office for Standards in Education (Ofsted)
• Office for Students
• Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education

If your course is with an overseas institution, it must meet the following points:

• The course has national accreditation
• Less than half of its programmes are based in the UK
• It offers programmes equivalent to UK degrees

To fulfil the criteria of the Home Office, if you apply for this visa, your chosen course must meet the following points:

• The course does not result in a qualification
• It is not essential for applicants to have academic qualifications
• There is no required level of English language skills
• There is no minimum number of hours of study for your course

Please note that in addition to the Home Office rules, your course provider may require that you meet specific criteria before being accepted on a course.

How to apply for a short term study visa UK

To apply for this visa, you must apply outside the UK (you cannot switch to this visa) and receive a positive decision before travelling to the UK.

Follow these steps to apply for your visa:

• Apply to an eligible course and receive an offer inviting you to study
• Complete the online application form
• Pay the application fee
• Submit your supporting documents
• Provide your biometric information (fingerprints and photograph)
• Submit your application
• Wait for a decision to be issued

Short-term Study Visa Processing Time

Applicants can apply online or in a visa application centre in their home country. Typically, applications take 6-8 weeks to process, so it is advised to submit your application with plenty of time before coming to the UK.

What documents do you need for a Short Term Study Visa application?

As with all visa applications, you will be required to submit supporting documents with your application to provide proof of your eligibility.

Short-term Study Visa Checklist

• Fully completed online application form for a short-term study visa
• Receipt confirming payment of fees and healthcare surcharge
• Valid passport or travel document
• Letter confirming your acceptance to an accredited organisation, stating your details, as well as course details, including the length and nature of the course
• Proof of sufficient funds with enough money to maintain yourself in the UK without recourse to public funds and without working
  • (e.g., bank statements, proof of financial sponsorship, etc.)
• Proof of payment of your course fees
• Your proposed itinerary and where you intend to stay
• Medical certificates (e.g., clean TB certificate if from a country where it is required)
• Certified translations of any document not in English or Welsh
• Biometrics (facial photograph and fingerprints)

Private medical insurance may be recommended if you have specialist medical needs. However, for visas over 6 months, you must pay the UK Immigration Health Surcharge.

If you are under 18, you must submit evidence of travel, accommodation, and care arrangements upon entering the UK.

You must also submit legal written confirmation from both parents or legal guardians (as well as their contact details) confirming their written consent to allow you to study in the UK.

Why Choose IAS for your Short Term Study Visa application?

We eliminate the guesswork and admin hours involved in visa applications, allowing you to concentrate on other aspects of your stay in the UK. 

Our expert legal team has years of experience in UK immigration law, helping you navigate the complexities. From eligibility and arranging the correct visa application to securing and submitting the proper documentation, we can handle all aspects of your Short-Term Study Visa. Alternatively, we can discuss eligibility requirements and other UK visas that might be more suited to your study plans. 

Get in touch with an expert visa solicitor today. Call +44 (0)333 414 9244 or contact us online to arrange a consultation with one of our experienced immigration lawyers.

Common Reasons for Short Term Study Visa UK Refusals

Some of the most common reasons for a Student Visitor Visa refusal include:

• The course is not on the approved list of providers
• The course lasts for longer than eleven months
• The course leads to a recognised qualification
• Failure to pay the healthcare surcharge for the National Health Service (NHS)
• The applicant does not have sufficient maintenance funds
• The applicant intends to work in the UK
• The applicant does not have the funds to pay for their return trip
• The applicant intends to take up a course other than the one they are applying for
• The applicant will require public funds to support themselves
• The application form was incomplete or contained errors
• The applicant intended to spend an extended period of time in the UK
• The applicant intended to have frequent or successive visits to the UK
• The applicant is otherwise ineligible for a visa based on grounds for refusal to the UK

Since 6 October 2021, applying for an administrative review has become possible if your Student Visitor Visa application was refused.

If you wish to apply for an administrative review, you must do so within 28 days of the date of receiving your refusal letter.

If you subsequently receive a positive decision on this, you will not have a refusal recorded on your immigration record, but you must declare it on future applications.

Alternatively, you can re-submit your application, which means there will be an unchallenged refusal on your application that you must declare.

How much does the Short Term Study Visa UK cost?

The Short Term Study Visa application costs are outlined in the table below:

Depending on where your course is, or the type of course, your exact costs may be higher.

The application fee is more expensive than a Standard Visitor Visa lasting six months (which costs £135).

What services does IAS offer?

At IAS, we can simplify the process of applying for a Study Visa. If you are unsure about which visa type is best for you, or which Study Visa you qualify for, one of our expert immigration specialists can advise you on your best option. They can also guide you through the application process for a Student Visitor Visa and ensure that it goes as smoothly as possible.

Our services include:

• assessing and advising on your eligibility under the UK immigration rules for a UK Study Visa;
• examining and collating your documents, ensuring they are sufficient for your application;
• preparing a Letter of Representation to accompany your application. This letter contains the merits of your case, references your supporting documentation and cites relevant UK law;
• completing each part of the application paperwork to the highest standard;
• liaising with the Home Office during your application process until a decision is reached.

Get in touch with IAS by using our online contact form or calling +44 (0)333 414 9244 to arrange a consultation with one of our experienced immigration lawyers.