Postgraduate Studentships - Search for funding opportunities.
Postgraduate Studentships - Search for funding opportunities.
Our annual health check on the study visa process includes some important updates when you apply for a student visa in 2025. These include increased living and study costs plus a new online visa system.
Applying to study in the UK if you are an international student requires planning. Our scholarship winner Prashant has recently started his masters degree as an international student, so he understands the pressures of managing the points based student visa system.
The UK operates a points based visa system for students. All entry is managed by the UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI), and students make up around 36% of net migration applicants to the UK (as of Dec 2023).
A visa can be issued to a student according to a ‘points based’ system. This is made up of three parts, so when you have achieved the necessary points your visa can be issued. A student visa requires: -
Your CAS or Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies is issued by the university admitting you. It shows you have met the course requirement, approved qualification requirement, level of study requirement, and place of study requirement.
Students who are not coming from a majority English-speaking country and who are entering a University for degree level study need to provide evidence that they are proficient in English to the level of CEFR B2 (for example, IELTS 5.5 in each of the four components). There are exceptions, depending on the type of course and your evidence.
All students must provide evidence that you have the financial means to support yourself. Starting January 2, 2025, the amount of money required in order to satisfy this requirement has been increased:
Living costs: Students studying in London will need to show they have £1,483 per month, while students studying outside London will need £1,136 per month
Maintenance fund: Students must have the required amount in their bank account for at least 28 consecutive days before applying for a visa.
Financial documents: Students' financial documents must be up to date.
The evidence of financial health is designed to ensure you can study and live in the UK when you are here. It is better to be realistic about the costs of completing your masters degree before you start.
If you experience financial difficulty during your course then your options are limited, and you may have to return to your country before completing your degree.
The UK will replace physical student visas with an online record of immigration status, also known as an eVisa. This system will apply to everyone requiring a visa for the UK, whether for study or work.
The new eVisa is not specifically targeting international students. Migrants already living in the UK will be required to set up a digital account that will replace the old paper visa system in time.
Students applying to study in the UK with their partner or child will need to prove they have enough money to support themselves and their dependents. The new requirements reflect the rising cost of living in the UK.
Rules regarding visa applications for family members and dependents were tightened earlier this year.
Currently you can apply to bring family members or dependents if you are intending to study a postgraduate research programme such as a PhD or Doctorate, or a research-based higher degree.
The UK supports visa application centres worldwide, and these are published on the GOV.UK website.
Applying to study in the UK if you are an international student requires planning, so the earlier you start the process the better.
Remember to prepare everything and give it plenty of time. Read how our current Masters Compare Scholarship holder applied, and shared with us about his visa approval process.
If you follow the steps and prepare all the necessary evidence you need then it will be less stressful.
It’s too early to tell yet if the new online eVisa system will be more efficient for processing applications, so keep up to date with the latest news about scholarship opportunities and masters courses by subscribing to our regular newsletter.
