The UK is one of the most popular destinations for international students, and getting a UK student visa is mostly a matter of preparation: the right documents, the right amount of money in the right account for the right length of time, and the correct fees. Costs went up in April 2026, and the post-study Graduate Route is about to get shorter, so older guides are often wrong.
This guide sets out the UK student visa requirements and costs for 2026, explains the money rules that cause most refusals, and covers what changes for graduates from January 2027.
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Who needs a UK student visa
You need a Student visa if you are 16 or over, from outside the UK and Ireland, and coming to the UK for a course longer than six months, or for any course at degree level that leads to a qualification. The course must be with a university or college that holds a student sponsor licence.
UK student visa costs in 2026
From 8 April 2026, the main costs are:
- Visa application fee: £558, whether you apply from outside the UK or inside it.
- Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS): £776 for each year of your visa, plus £388 for any extra period of up to six months. It gives you access to the NHS.
The IHS is paid upfront for the full length of the visa, which runs a little longer than your course. For a typical one-year master’s, the visa usually lasts about one year and four months, so the IHS is £776 plus £388, which is £1,164. Together with the application fee, that comes to £1,722 before any other costs.
Add the cost of an English test if you need one, a tuberculosis test if you are from a country where it is required, and document translations.
Proof of funds: the rule behind most refusals
You must show that you can pay your course fees for the first year, minus any deposit already paid, plus living costs:
- Studying in London: £1,529 a month, for up to nine months, which is a maximum of £13,761.
- Studying elsewhere in the UK: £1,171 a month, for up to nine months, which is a maximum of £10,539.
London means the City of London and the 32 London boroughs. The money must be held for at least 28 consecutive days, and the end of that period must fall within 31 days of your application. If your balance drops below the required amount even for a single day in those 28 days, the application can be refused.
The funds can be in your account or your parents’ account, with a letter of consent and proof of the relationship. Sponsored students and those with official financial sponsorship may need to show less.
A worked example
Say you have an offer for a one-year master’s in Manchester with tuition of £18,000, and you have already paid a £5,000 deposit. For your UK student visa you would need to show:
- remaining tuition: £18,000 − £5,000 = £13,000;
- living costs outside London: £1,171 × 9 = £10,539;
- total proof of funds: £23,539, held for 28 consecutive days.
On top of that you pay the £558 application fee and £1,164 in IHS, which is £1,722, plus your flights, tuberculosis test and English test. Studying the same course in London would raise the living-cost part of the proof of funds to £13,761.
Work out these numbers early. Families often need time to move money into the right account and leave it there for the full 28 days.
Credibility interviews
Some applicants are asked to attend a short interview, by video or in person, to check that they are genuine students. Expect questions about why you chose this course and university, how it connects to your previous study or work, how you will pay for it, and what you plan to do afterwards. Answer in your own words, keep your answers consistent with your application, and know your course details well. A confident, specific answer about your plans is the best defence against a refusal on credibility grounds.
Documents you need
- A valid passport.
- A Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) number from your university.
- Proof of funds, as above.
- Proof of English, if your university requires a Secure English Language Test.
- A tuberculosis test certificate, if you are a resident of a country on the UK’s list, which includes Pakistan, India, Bangladesh and Nigeria.
- Academic documents listed on your CAS.
- Parental consent if you are under 18.
English language requirements
For degree-level courses, universities can assess your English themselves, which is why some accept tests that are not on the government’s approved list, such as the Duolingo English Test. Where a Secure English Language Test is required, it must come from an approved provider, such as IELTS for UKVI or PTE Academic UKVI. Our comparison of IELTS vs PTE vs TOEFL vs Duolingo explains the differences.
How to apply
- Receive your CAS from your university after accepting an unconditional offer.
- Check your funds and leave them untouched for 28 days.
- Apply online on GOV.UK up to six months before your course starts, if applying from outside the UK.
- Pay the fee and the IHS.
- Prove your identity, either through the UK Immigration: ID Check app or at a visa application centre, where your fingerprints and photo are taken.
- Wait for a decision, usually within three weeks when applying from outside the UK.
The UK now issues eVisas, a digital record of your immigration status, instead of physical residence cards for most people. You will need a UK Visas and Immigration account to view and share it.
Working while you study
Students on a degree-level course can usually work up to 20 hours a week during term time and full-time during official holidays. Below degree level, the limit is 10 hours a week. You cannot be self-employed or work as a professional sportsperson.
Bringing family
Since January 2024, only students on postgraduate research courses, such as a PhD, and some government-sponsored students can bring dependants. Students on taught master’s courses can no longer bring a partner or children on their visa.
The Graduate Route after your degree
The Graduate visa lets you stay and work in the UK after finishing your degree. The application fee is £937, and you pay the IHS at the standard rate of £1,035 a year.
The length is changing:
- Apply on or before 31 December 2026: two years for a bachelor’s or master’s.
- Apply from 1 January 2027: 18 months for a bachelor’s or master’s.
PhD graduates can stay for three years. If you finish your course in late 2026, plan your Graduate Route application timing carefully.
Common reasons for refusal
- Funds held for fewer than 28 consecutive days, or dipping below the required amount.
- Bank statements older than 31 days at the date of application.
- Missing or inconsistent documents, such as a CAS that lists qualifications you have not provided.
- A missing tuberculosis certificate where one is required.
- Doubts about whether you are a genuine student, often raised at a credibility interview.
Frequently asked questions
How much is the UK student visa fee in 2026?
£558 from 8 April 2026, plus the Immigration Health Surcharge of £776 a year.
How much money do I need to show?
Your first year’s unpaid course fees plus £1,529 a month in London or £1,171 a month elsewhere, for up to nine months, held for 28 consecutive days.
Can I bring my spouse on a master’s degree?
Not on a taught master’s. Dependants are only allowed for postgraduate research students and some government-sponsored students.
How long is the Graduate Route?
Two years for bachelor’s and master’s graduates who apply by 31 December 2026, and 18 months for those who apply from 1 January 2027. PhD graduates get three years.
Is Duolingo accepted for the UK student visa?
Duolingo is not an approved Secure English Language Test, but some universities accept it when they assess English for degree-level courses.
If you are applying with a scholarship, see our Chevening Scholarship guide. Official guidance is on the GOV.UK Student visa page.
