From March 2009 adults wishing to study in the UK must apply for a Tier 4 Student Visa.

The Tier 4 Student Visa allows international adult students to study in UK with a Tier 4 licensed sponsor*.

Do I qualify?

To be able to travel to the UK as a student you will have to meet a points score of 40 points. These points are scored as follows:

Visa letter from an approved education provider/licensed sponsor	30
Maintenance fees to cover course fees and living expenses	10

What is a visa letter?

A visa letter is a letter of offer from the education provider who is your immigration sponsor. This will include information about you, your sponsor, the course you intend to undertake and your finances.

Will I be allowed to work?

If you are issued with a Tier 4 Student Visa you are allowed to take employment of up to 20 hours per week.

You are not allowed to engage in the following:

• Work for more than 20 hours per week during term time unless it is for a work placement and is part of the study programme agreed with your education provider

• Conduct business, be self-employed or provide services as a professional sports person or entertainer

• Work full-time in a permanent job

Settlement

The Tier 4 Student Visa will not allow you to apply to settle in the UK, however may allow you to switch into another category of visa upon successful completion of your studies, for instance Tier 1 Post Study Work

How long will my visa be issued for?

Type of course	Length of course	Length of stay allowed
Degree level or above	12 months or more	The full length of the course plus four months after the end of your course
Degree level or above	Six months or more, but less than 12 months	The full length of the course plus two months after the end of your course
Course to prepare you for study (known as pre-sessional)	Less than six months	The full length of the course plus one month after the end of your course
Short course (not one to prepare you for study)	Less than six months	The full length of the course plus seven days after the end of your course
Below degree level	12 months or more	The full length of the course (up to a maximum of three years if you are 18 years old or over) plus four months after the end of your course
Below degree level	Six months or more, but less than 12 months	The full length of the course (up to a maximum of three years if you are 18 years old or over) plus two months after the end of your course
Postgraduate doctors and dentists on a recognised Foundation programme	Maximum of three years	The full length of the course (up to a maximum of three years) plus one month after the end of your course

How much money do I need to study in the UK?

Length of course	Where you will study	Maintenance (funds) needed
Nine months or less	In London	Course fees and £800 to cover living costs for each calendar month of the course
Nine months or less	Outside London	Course fees and £600 to cover living costs for each calendar month of the course
More than nine months	In London	First year of fees and £7,200 to cover living costs for nine months in the United Kingdom
More than nine months	Outside London	First year of fees and £5,400 to cover living costs for nine months in the United Kingdom

* A licensed sponsor is the university or college that you have chosen to enrol with. A full list of Tier 4 licensed sponsors can be found here

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