How to get the UK Study Visa for Indian Students?

Studying abroad can be a life-changing experience that opens up new perspectives and gives you access to top-notch education. Indian students seeking a top-notch education, a diverse culture, and international chances frequently choose to study in the UK. But getting a UK study visa is a necessary step before starting this thrilling journey. We will lead you through the prerequisites, application process, and helpful hints to make sure your application is successful as an Indian student seeking a UK study visa in this thorough guide.

The following three UK study visas, or UK visa types, are important for students who want to spend more than six months studying there:

Short-Term Study Visa– For people who wish to learn English for up to 11 months, there is a short-term UK study visa.
Student-Visa- Students who are traveling to the UK to pursue higher education fall under this visa category. Previously known as a Tier 4 Student Visa, it was also known as a Tier 4 (General) Student Visa.
Child Student Visa- Children who want to attend an independent school in the UK and are between the ages of 4 and 17 are eligible for this visa. Before that, it was known as the Tier 4 (Child) Student Visa.

UK Student Visa Eligibility

An authorized student sponsor must have extended an offer to a student for full-time academic study.
A student must have the necessary funds to maintain themselves while enrolled in the course.
A student must be proficient in speaking, reading, writing, and comprehending English.
A student must get parental permission if they are 16 or 17 years old.

UK Student Visa Cost

The cost of the UK Student Visa, formerly known as the Tier 4 (General) Student Visa, is £363 (about Rs 37,082) for students who are applying from outside the UK. Depending on how long you stay, there is also a healthcare surcharge that you must pay. Below is a list of acceptable payment options.

Using a MasterCard or Visa credit or debit card online.
Via demand draught at specific Standard Chartered Bank branches and the visa application center.
The Visa Application Centre and a few Standard Chartered Bank locations, using cash.

UK Student Visa: Documents Requirement

UK Student Visa Requirements: In contrast to applying for a tourist visa, applying for a student visa necessitates carrying a lot more documentation. Along with the required documentation, applicants also require supporting evidence from their academic and financial lives. There are further some requirements that one needs to be aware of and fulfill. Before heading to the consulate for the visa interview, make sure to consult the UK Student Visa Checklist.

Before applying, you need to have the following paperwork:

Unfinished application for a student visa
You must demonstrate your parent’s or guardian’s approval if you are under the age of 18.
An official and unequivocal offer of a place on a program of study will be made to you in the form of an acceptance letter (CAS, or Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies), which will be sent by your approved education provider. Before you apply, the visa letter must not have been issued more than six months earlier. Within six months of getting their CAS, students must apply for a study visa for the UK.
A visa letter is not a guarantee that your application will be approved. The applicant must satisfy all category requirements as well as any additional immigration laws.
Proof of funds – Your first academic year’s course fees and a maximum of nine months’ worth of living expenses are covered by the funds you must present. Whether you are applying as an adult or child and whether you will be studying in or outside of London will determine how much money you will need. You need to provide proof that you’ve had the money for at least 28 days. The conclusion of the 28-day window cannot be earlier than one month before the application deadline.
But if a student has been present in the UK for at least a year on a valid visa, they are exempt from the requirement to provide evidence of financial stability when applying for a visa.
The confirmation receipt for payment of the visa fees
If your nationality and course require one, get an ATAS certificate.
Payslips
Original test results or provisional credentials
Score reports for tests like the TOEFL, GMAT, and IELTS, etc.

Types Of Courses Valid Under UK Student Visa

An ongoing program that would assist students in earning a credential below the degree level and scheduled daytime study for at least 15 hours per week
A full-time program leading to a degree or a higher level of qualification
A full-time course that would assist in obtaining a degree-level or higher certificate and uses the same platform as a UK higher education program.
A part-time course that would assist in earning a degree-level or higher qualification
A reputable foundational course for postgraduate doctors or dentists
A course in English at the B2 level or higher according to the Common European Framework of Reference

UK Student Visa Process: How to Apply

Step 1- Checking your eligibility for a student visa is the first step. You must demonstrate that you have:

a reserved spot at the college, institution, or school you plan to attend. A ‘confirmation of acceptance for studies’ (CAS) is what it is known as.
enough money (sometimes referred to as “maintenance or funds”) to pay for your tuition and living expenses while studying in the UK.

Step 2- Prepare your documents.

Step 3- Apply online: On the official UK Visa website, you must register and set up an account. You must print and sign your completed online application after you’ve finished filling it out. To make a reservation at the visa application center, use the online appointment calendar. You will get an email with your application number once you have finished your online application.

Step 4- Deposit the application cost. You can pay for your visa application fee in 4 different ways.

Payment at Standard Chartered Bank: You can make your payment at some Standard Chartered Bank locations. A demand draught will be issued by the bank in the name of the “British High Commission.
Demand draught from a nationalized or foreign bank – To pay your fee, you might obtain a demand draught from a nationalized or foreign bank. There may be a fee from the bank for this service. The “British High Commission” must be listed as the payee on the demand draught.
Payment at the Visa Application Centre: When you submit your visa application, you may pay the visa application fee there.
Online payment is accepted. You can pay your visa application fee online with a credit or debit card from Visa or MasterCard.

Step 5– On the scheduled date, visit the visa application center. To submit your application, your facial photograph, and your fingerprints, you must schedule and show up for an appointment at the visa application facility.

UK Student Visa for Part-Time Work

You may work up to 20 hours per week for (UK Student Visa) and work full-time during breaks or summer vacations if you are enrolled in a bachelor’s degree program or higher at a UK college that is included on both the official “UKBA Sponsor list” and the list of “recognized bodies.” Students should be aware that if their course is below the level of a UK degree (such as foundation or pre-sessional English), they may work up to 10 hours per week. Additionally, those who have a short-term study visa cannot work.

UK Students Visa: Dependents

International students will no longer be allowed to bring their families or dependents into the country while enrolled in a non-research Master’s degree program.

For the same time period as the original applicant, the wife or children are granted a Dependent Visa. For the time being, this only applies to applications for master’s degrees. Your program must be at least 9 months long and RQF level 7 or higher. Dependents are not permitted for undergraduates traveling to the UK.

Dependents apply under “dependent on a Points Based System migrant” status if they hold a student visa. Each dependent must submit their own application and pay their own fee.

You must demonstrate an additional £845 (inside London) or £680 (outside London) for each dependent for each month that you are asking for maintenance money, up to a total of nine months’ worth. If you already have a scholarship, you may use it to offset the costs of maintaining your dependents. Funds must be designated for your dependents, according to the scholarship letter.