Eligibility

This page tells you whether you can come to study in the United Kingdom as a student visitor.

If you are coming to the United Kingdom as a student visitor, you must genuinely be seeking entry to study here for the limited period you tell us you require. This period must not exceed six months.

Additionally, you must have been accepted on a course of study that will be provided by an organisation which is:

• the holder of a sponsor licence for Tier 4 of the points- based system; or
• accredited by an accrediation body approved by the UK Border Agency; or
• an overseas higher education institution which offers only part of its programmes in the United Kingdom, holds its own national accreditation and offers programmes that are of an equivalent level to a United Kingdom degree.

You must also:

• leave the United Kingdom at the end of the visit you told us about;
• support and pay for accommodation for yourself and any dependants, without help from public funds; or
• make sure that you and your dependants will be supported and accommodated by relatives or friends, and not take employment; and
• be able to meet the cost of your return or onward journey.

You must not:

• take employment in the United Kingdom;
• engage in business, produce goods or provide services within the United Kingdom, including selling goods or services direct to members of the public;
• study at a government-funded school;
• be a child under the age of 18;
• undertake part-time or full-time vacation employment;
• undertake a work placement or internship (paid or unpaid) as part of your course of study; or
• extend your stay in the United Kingdom.

For further information, see General visitors.

If you are an education provider and you want to know how to obtain a sponsor licence and accreditation, see How do I sponsor a migrant?