English · up to 6 months
Standard Visitor
Check whether your nationality needs a Visitor visa, an ETA or neither before travel. Visitor eligibility still applies at the border.
Prepare for the UK
Your UK student visa checklist: choose your route before you apply
Course length changes everything. Identify the Visitor, Short-term Study or Student route first—then prepare the provider, money and documents that belong to that route.
Up to 6 months
Visitor study route
Over 6 to 11 months
Short-term Study visa
Short-term Study
No paid or unpaid work
Step one
Choose the route before the paperwork
The correct answer depends on nationality, course length and the exact provider. Start here; do not build documents for the wrong route.
English only · over 6 to 11 months
Short-term Study
The course must be with an accredited institution. You cannot work, extend this route, change course or bring dependants through it.
Longer or sponsored study
Student visa
You normally need an eligible course, a licensed Student sponsor and a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies. Not every English school can issue one.
Preparation journey
Eight decisions, in the right order
Work from the route down. Each step should agree with the next—dates, fees, funding and study purpose must tell one consistent story.
Step 1
Measure the course duration
Use the exact course dates; six months and eleven months are critical route boundaries.
Step 2
Check nationality requirements
Confirm whether you need a visa, an ETA or another permission before travelling.
Step 3
Verify the institution
For Short-term Study, confirm current accreditation. For Student, confirm sponsor status and CAS eligibility.
Step 4
Check the route restrictions
Understand work, dependant, extension and course-change rules before committing money.
Step 5
Build a realistic budget
Cover fees, accommodation, living expenses and return travel without assuming UK employment.
Step 6
Prepare route-specific evidence
Keep acceptance or CAS evidence, financial records, accommodation details and translations consistent.
Step 7
Resolve TB and under-18 rules
Check residence-country TB requirements and prepare consent and care arrangements where applicable.
Step 8
Apply at the correct time
Short-term Study normally opens three months before travel; Student applications outside the UK may open six months before the course.
Document desk
Build the file before opening the form
Gather these before you apply
0 prepared · 10 applicable.
Tick items off as you gather them, then print this checklist to keep with your documents. The live ticked state is designed for printing; the complete guide below is also downloadable as a PDF.
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Application risks
Common mistakes to remove early
Choosing a visa before checking course length
Assuming an ETA covers every type of study
Using a non-accredited provider for Short-term Study
Assuming Short-term Study permits part-time work
Using Student-route maintenance figures for the wrong route
Missing TB, translation or parental-consent evidence
Verified sources
Finish on the official website
General guidance only—not immigration or legal advice. Rules, fees and processing times change. These sources were reviewed on 9 August 2026 and must be checked again when you apply.
Take this guide with you
Download this page as a PDF
Save the complete preparation journey, checklist, financial guidance, application risks and official-source links for offline reference.
Page information
Page last updated:
The information available on this page is for information purposes only. Rules, requirements and processing arrangements can change. Always refer to the official websites mentioned above before making an application or financial commitment.