The Short-term Student Visa (English Language) is a route for persons aged 16 and over who want to study an English language course in the UK for between 6 and 11 months without a student sponsor but at an accredited institution.  

If you wish to study an English language course that will last longer than 11 months then you should apply for a Student Visa or Child Student Visa instead.

If you wish to study a course or complete a period of research that will last less than 6 months then the UK also offers a shorter 6-month Short-term Student Visa.  This route can also be used by persons who wish to re-sit an examination, retake a module or take an oral examination as part of a PhD qualification.  There is also a Short-term Student (Child) route which is available to persons under the age of 16.

Requirements for a Short-term Student Visa (English Language)

In order to qualify for a Short-term Student Visa (English Language) you will need to satisfy UK Visas and Immigration that:

• You are aged 16 or over;
• You are outside the UK;
• You have been accepted onto an English language course (that does not include any other subject) at an accredited institution that will last no longer than 11 months;
• You have paid your course fees or have enough funds to pay your course fees;
• You do not intend to undertake a course of study of longer than 11 months, study at an academy or state-funded school, make the UK your main home, work in the UK or engage in any business or professional activities in the UK;
• You intend to leave the UK within 30 days of the end of your English language course, or at the end of 11 months, whichever is sooner;
• You can maintain and accommodate yourself adequately without receiving public funds;
• You have enough funds to meet the cost of your return or onward journey from the UK;
• You have the consent of your parents if you are 16 or 17 years old.

The exact requirements you will need to satisfy will vary depending on your circumstances.  You may want to speak to an immigration lawyer for expert advice.

Course requirements for a Short-term Student Visa (English Language)

You will need to provide written evidence from your course provider that you have been accepted onto an English language course (that does not include any other subject) that will last no longer than 11 months.

The Short-term Student Visa (English Language) is an unsponsored route.  However, applicants must be applying to study at an accredited institution.

An accredited institution is one which has been independently assessed by a Home Office approved inspection body as meeting required educational standards.

Financial Requirement for a Short-term Student Visa (English Language)

You will need to have paid your course fees or have enough funds to pay your course fees.

You will also need to be able to demonstrate that you can maintain and accommodate yourself adequately without receiving public funds.

You will also need to demonstrate that you have enough funds to meet the cost of your return or onward journey from the UK.

English Language Requirement for a Short-term Student Visa (English Language)

There is no English language requirement for a Short-term Student Visa (English Language).

Study requirement for a Short-term Student Visa (English Language)

You must not intend to do any of the following during your time in the UK as a Short-term Student (English Language):

• undertake a course of study of longer than 11 months;
• study at an academy or state-funded school;
• make the UK your main home;
• work in the UK;
• engage in any business or professional activities in the UK.

Genuine Student Rule

In order to qualify for a Short-term Student Visa (English Language) you will need to satisfy UK Visas & Immigration that you are a genuine short-term student.

You will need to satisfy the Home Office that you genuinely intend to study on an English language course at an accredited institution that will be completed during your stay, that you have given a true account of how long you intend to study in the UK, that you do not intend to study at an academy or state-funded school, that you do not intend to use frequent and successive periods of study as a means to live in the UK or to circumvent the requirements of the Student or Child Student routes and that you intend to leave the UK within 30 days of the end of your declared period of study, or before your visa expires, whichever is soonest.

Switching into the Short-term Student (English Language) route

An application for a Short-term Student (English Language) Visa can only be made from outside the UK. It is not possible to switch into the Short-term Student (English Language) route from within the UK.

Duration of Stay on a Short-term Student Visa (English Language)

If you Short-term Student Visa (English Language) application is successful then you will be granted a visa for 11 months. 

Conditions of Stay as a Short-term Student (English Language)

Short-term Student visa holders are not entitled to work or receive public funds.  They may also only study on the course for which they have been granted permission.

Extension of Stay as a Short-term Student (English Language)

It is not possible to extend a Short-term Student (English Language) Visa.

Settlement in the UK as a Short-term Student (English Language)

The Short-term Student (English Language) route is not a route to settlement.

Switching into the Student Visa route

Short-term Student (English Language) visa holders are not permitted to switch into the Student Visa route from within the UK.  Any application for a Student Visa in order to study on a further or higher education course in the UK would need to be submitted from outside the UK.

Dependent family members of Short-term Students

Short-term Students are not eligible to bring a dependant partner and / or dependant children to the UK.

How our immigration solicitors can help

Our immigration solicitors regularly assist international students to move to, or extend their stay in, the UK in order to pursue their education.

Our barristers are experts in the immigration options for students and will guide you through the complex Home Office rules and policies.

We pride ourselves on being approachable and proactive in understanding and meeting our clients’ needs. We are a highly driven team, dedicated to providing clear and reliable immigration advice to students as part of a professional and friendly servic