Student visas, immigration, and English language tests
Visas and English language tests apply to many international applications. Find out what you need to do and when to apply for yours.
Visas and English language tests apply to many international applications. Find out what you need to do and when to apply for yours.
If you live outside the UK, you’ll need to get a student visa to study here – including if you’re an EEA or Swiss national. Once you’ve been offered a place on a course, the course provider will advise you on how to apply for your student visa from UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI).
However, there are a few things you need to do first before you can send off your visa application.
If you're in the UK, you can only take a SELT with one of the following providers:
If you're outside of the UK, you can only take a SELT with one of the following providers:
When you arrive at passport control here in the UK, you should expect Border Force officers to ask you simple questions about your studies or your stay in the UK. To help you plan for your first arrival in the UK as a student and what to expect, UKCISA offers helpful preparation and arrival guidance here.
You might be able to apply for other visas after your course if you’d like to stay in the UK to work. After completing your studies in the UK, international students may be eligible to apply for the Graduate visa or Skilled Worker visa.