UK Short-term Study visa

What this visa is for

The Short-term study visa (English language) is for people who want to come to the UK specifically to take an English language course that runs longer than 6 months and no more than 11 months. The course must be English language only. If it contains any other subject, this visa does not apply.

The course must be with an accredited institution. Permission is granted for the length of the course plus an extra 30 days, provided the total stay is no longer than 11 months.

• English language courses only, over 6 and up to 11 months
• Must be with an accredited institution
• Stay covers the course length plus 30 extra days, capped at 11 months total

Who can apply

Applicants must meet all of the following core requirements.

• Be 16 or older
• Have been accepted onto an English language course lasting over 6 and up to 11 months, with no other subjects, at an accredited institution
• Have enough money to support yourself during the stay without working or relying on public funds
• Be able to pay for your return or onward journey
• Applicants under 18 must have parental or guardian consent to study and to their travel and living arrangements

Conditions and restrictions

This visa comes with firm limits that applicants must understand before applying.

• You cannot work or carry out any business. This includes paid or unpaid work, work experience and work placements
• You cannot bring family members (dependants) with you on this visa
• You cannot extend this visa
• You cannot switch into another visa from inside the UK on this route; you must leave and apply for the appropriate visa if you want to stay longer or study something else
• You cannot get public funds (most benefits)

Costs

The application fee is £228.

You must also pay the Immigration Health Surcharge, usually £776 per year, which gives you access to the NHS during your stay. The exact amount depends on the length of your permission.

There is no fixed minimum savings figure published for this route. Instead, applicants must show they can genuinely support themselves and cover course fees and travel.

• Application fee: £228
• Immigration Health Surcharge: usually £776 per year
• Plus enough money to cover living costs, course fees and return travel

Documents you'll need

When you apply, you'll need to provide the following. Any document not in English or Welsh must have a certified translation.

• A current passport or valid travel document
• Written proof of your course, such as a letter of acceptance stating the course name, duration and cost
• Evidence you've paid your course fees, or that you have enough money to pay them
• Evidence you can support yourself, such as bank statements or payslips for the last 6 months
• Details of where you plan to stay and your travel plans
• TB test results, if you're from a country where this is required
• For under-18s: written parental or guardian consent, a parent or guardian's contact details, and proof of suitable accommodation and care arrangements

How to apply

You must apply online from outside the UK before you travel. The earliest you can apply is 3 months before you travel to the UK.

As part of the application you'll book an appointment at a visa application centre to provide your documents and prove your identity. You'll usually get a decision within 3 weeks. A faster decision may be available for an extra fee, depending on your location.

• Apply online from outside the UK
• Earliest application is 3 months before travel
• Attend a visa application centre for biometrics and documents
• Decision usually within 3 weeks

Studying for 6 months or less

This visa is only for courses longer than 6 months. If your English course, or any other short course, lasts 6 months or less, you do not use this route. Instead you come as a Standard Visitor, which allows short study of up to 6 months. Check the Standard Visitor rules for what that route allows before booking a shorter course.