The
British Government warmly welcomes people from overseas who want to study
and train in the United Kingdom.
When you arrive in the United Kingdom, you may be questioned by an
Immigration Officer so take all relevant documents in your hand luggage.
DO I NEED A VISA?
If you
are a national of one of the countries listed
(check list) or if you are
stateless or hold a non-national travel document or a passport issued by
an authority not recognized by the UK you must have a valid UK visa on
each occasion you enter the UK, unless you qualify for exemption. It is
not possible to switch from visitor to student status once in the UK. You
must therefore have the correct visa before you travel. Other nationals do
not have to have a visa to study in the UK. However, you will have to
satisfy the immigration officer on arrival in the UK that you qualify for
entry. If you are in any doubt about your eligibility you are advised to
apply for a visa before you travel.
THE RULES
You must be able to support and accommodate yourself and any dependants
and pay for your studies without working in the UK and without recourse to
public funds, except that:
• it is acceptable for support and accommodation and the cost of your
studies to be provided by relatives or friends in the UK; and
• the
income from part time work provided and guaranteed by a publicly funded
institution of further or higher education in the United Kingdom at which
you are studying may be taken into account when assessing your financial
means. It is not necessary to have finalized your arrangements but you
must intend to study at a university, a publicly funded college of further
or higher education, independent school or other genuine private
educational institution. You must also be able to follow your intended
course. Your course of study should occupy the whole or a substantial part
of your time (at least 15 hours a week organized daytime study of a single
subject or of directly related subjects leading to a particularly
qualification).
What are public funds?
If you come to live or stay in the United Kingdom, you must be able to
support and accommodate yourself without claiming certain state benefits.
These are:
• Income Support and Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA);
• housing and homelessness assistance;
• Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit;
• Working Families' Tax Credit;
• a social fund payment;
• Child Benefit; or
• any disability allowance.
Can I extend my stay as a
student? If you are already studying here, you can apply to extend your
stay as a student.
If you are a visa national, you cannot stay on as a student unless you
entered the United Kingdom with a student or prospective student visa.
Am I allowed to
work? You
may take part-time or holiday work but you must not:
• work for more than 20 hours a week during term time, unless your work
placement is part of your studies and your education institution agrees.
• do business, be self-employed or provide services as a professional
sports person or entertainer; or
• work full time in a permanent job.
Can I bring my husband or wife
and children with me? Your husband or wife and any of your children under 18 can come
to the United Kingdom with you during your studies as long as you can
support and accommodate them without help from public funds.
Is my husband or wife allowed
to work? Your husband or wife will be allowed to work if you were given
permission to stay in the United Kingdom for 12 months or more.
Can I come to the United
Kingdom to arrange my studies? You may come to the United Kingdom as a prospective student to
arrange your studies for up to six months. You will need to show that:
• you plan to enroll on a course of study within six months of arriving;
• you can pay for your course and support and accommodate yourself and any
dependants without working or help from public funds; and
• you plan to leave the United Kingdom when you finish your studies or
when your permission to stay ends if you are not able to qualify to stay
in the United Kingdom as a student.
Can I get medical treatment? If you come from a country with a health-care agreement with
the United Kingdom, or you are enrolled on a course for six months or
more, you may be able to get medical treatment on the National Health
Service (NHS) Short-term students who are here for less than six months
and visitors are not entitled to free medical treatment, and you will be
charged for any treatment you receive. Please make sure you have enough
health insurance to cover your stay.
Do I have to register with the
police? If you have to register with the police, we will stamp this
requirement in your passport. You must register within seven days of
arriving in the United Kingdom
The
British Government warmly welcomes people from overseas who want to study
and train in the United Kingdom. 
If you
are a national of one of the 
• the
income from part time work provided and guaranteed by a publicly funded
institution of further or higher education in the United Kingdom at which
you are studying may be taken into account when assessing your financial
means. It is not necessary to have finalized your arrangements but you
must intend to study at a university, a publicly funded college of further
or higher education, independent school or other genuine private
educational institution. You must also be able to follow your intended
course. Your course of study should occupy the whole or a substantial part
of your time (at least 15 hours a week organized daytime study of a single
subject or of directly related subjects leading to a particularly
qualification). 
