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Tier 4 General Student FAQs

The FAQs below cover the most common questions regarding Tier 4 (General) visa applications from overseas and within the UK.

The information is not exhaustive and we don’t accept responsibility for its accuracy. If you need further details on this visa category, please contact us or visit www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk

A1. How much money do I need to have?
The amount you need depends on the length and place of study and if you can proof that you are an established student.
- If you study a course that is longer than 9 months and you can proof that you are an established student, you need to show £1200 (outside London)/£1600(London) and the outstanding fee of the first year tuition fees ie. the fees that you haven’t paid yet for the first year of your course.
- If you study a course that is longer than 9 months and you cannot proof that you are an established student, you need to show £5400 (outside London)/£7200(London) and the outstanding fee of the first year tuition fees.
A2. What is an established student?
A student has established presence in the UK if he/she:
- has completed a single course of at least six months during his/her last visa
  or
- is currently studying a single course, of which he/she has completed at least six months
  or
- is currently studying and has completed a single course of at least six months during his/her current permission to stay.
and
- his/her last grant of leave ended no more than four months before his/her Tier 4 application was made
  or
- he/she is currently following a course of study.
Please Note: A student cannot amalgamate two or more courses to make up the six months study.
A3. What are the Inner London boroughs?
Camden, City of London, Hackney, Hammersmith and Fulham, Haringey, Islington, Kensington and Chelsea, Lambeth, Lewisham, Newham, Southwark, Tower Hamlets, Wandsworth, and Westminster
A4. Who can provide evidence for maintenance funds?
The funds can be in your name, in your parents' or legal guardian's name. You can also use a joint account as long as your name is on the document used.
A5. What documents do I need to proof the maintenance?
All documents used need to be originals. Any non-English documents need to be sent with a fully certified translation by a translator.

You need to proof that you have held the required funds for at least 28 days. The funds must not drop below the required amount during the 28 day period.

The most common way to proof the funds is with Bank Statements covering a minimum 28 days period. The statements can not be older that 1 month at the time you make the visa application.

For more information on Maintenance Documents, please click here.
A6. What English Tests are accepted by the UKBA?
The most common English tests are e.g. IELTS, PTE, TOEFL

For a complete list of accepted test please click here
A7. Where can I find suitable courses and/or colleges?
Please click here for the course our partner colleges currently offer .
A8. Can I study NVQ under Tier 4?
NVQs are work based courses which normally don’t include class-room sessions. However, if the NVQ course you want to study does include minimum 15 hours class-room sessions per week, such courses would currently be acceptable.
If the course if at level 3 or has a placement element, your training provider needs to be highly trusted.
A9. How much is the UKBA fee for Tier 4(General) visa applications?
From withing the UK: £386 via post or £702 in person
From overseas: £255
B1. When do I have to send my visa extension application?
The last day you can send your application is the last day of your visa (if a working day) We recommend to prepare your application at least 3 months before your visa expires and send it 1 month before the expire date.
B2. I already have got a visa, can I switch into the Tier 4 student category?
You can switch in to the adult student category if you have, or were last given, permission to stay in the following categories:
- Tier 4 (General) Student
- Tier 4 (Child) Student
- Tier 1 (Post-study Work) Migrant
- Tier 2 Migrant
- Participant in the International Graduates Scheme (or its predecessor, the Science and Engineering Graduates Scheme)
- Participant in the Fresh Talent: Working in Scotland Scheme
- Postgraduate Doctor or Dentist
- Prospective Student
- Student
- Student Nurse
- Student Re-sitting an Examination
- Student Writing-Up a Thesis
- Student Union Sabbatical Officer
- Work Permit Holder
B3. How many hours can I work as a Tier 4 Student?
If your visa application was made before 3^rd March 2010
- up to 20 hours a week during term-time.
- full-time during holidays.
- full-time on work placements if placement takes up 50% or less of the course and it is an assessed part of your course
If your visa application was made after 3^rd March 2010 but before 4^th July 2011
- up to 20 hours a week on courses at degree level or above
- up to 20 hours a week on a foundation degree course
- up to 10 hours a week for any other type of course
- full-time during holiday
- If your course has a work placement element you can work additional hours during term-time. The total length of the placement must not be more than 50% of the course. For Example: if you have 15 hours class-room session, you can work up to 15 hours on a work placement.
If your visa application was made after 4^th July 2011:
- students at private education providers will not be allowed to work part-time or during vacations
- students studying at publically funded education providers will be allowed to work 10 hours during term-time and unlimited hours during non-term time.
- students studying at higher education providers (ie. universities) will be allowed to work 20 hours during term-time, if they are studying at degree level or above and 10 hours during term-time for students studying below degree level. All students at higher education institutions will be able to work full-time during vacations.
Please note: the issue date on the visa is not the application date. The application is determined by when the application was sent to the UKBA for in-UK applications or when the payment was made for the application made overseas.

We can help you find a publically funded college or university in the area you are looking for. Just contact us
B4. How long can I stay in the UK?
If your course length is 12 months or longer you get a visa for the full length of your course and 4 months and the end of the course.
B5. Can I change my course of study?
If you stay with your current training provider and the new course you study is the same length as the previous one, you are allowed to change courses without informing the UKBA.

If your new course is shorter you should inform the UKBA by sending an email to: migrantreporting@ukba.gsi.gov.uk
B6. Can I change my training provider?
If you applied for your visa after 5^th October 2009 you need to apply for a new visa in order to change your training provider.
B7. Is there a maximum time I can study in the UK?
If you study below degree level you can stay up to a maximum of 3 years. This does not include any time spent on a pre-PBS student visa. If you study at degree level there is no restriction on the total time you can be in the UK on a Tier 4 visa.
B8. Does the Tier 4 category lead to settlement i.e. does it count towards the years for permanent residence?
No
B9. Can I get married in the UK during my studies?
Yes, but you need to apply for a Certificate of Approval (COA). Click here for more information.
C1. From which category can I switch into Tier 4 (General)?
You can switch into the Tier 4 (General) category from the following immigration categories:
- Tier 4 (General) Student
- Tier 4 (Child) Student
- Tier 1 (Post-study Work) Migrant
- Tier 2 Migrant
- Participant in the International Graduates Scheme (or its predecessor, the Science and Engineering Graduates Scheme)
- Participant in the Fresh Talent: Working in Scotland Scheme
- Postgraduate Doctor or Dentist
- Prospective Student
- Student
- Student Nurse
- Student Re-sitting an Examination
- Student Writing-Up a Thesis
- Student Union Sabbatical
- Work Permit Holder
C2. Can I bring my dependants?
Only those students studying at postgraduate level at Higher Education Institutions e.g. Universities, on courses that are at least 12 months long are permitted to bring dependants to the UK.

Those dependants that applied for their visa before 4th July 2011 are allowed to stay in the UK until the end of their leave. Those dependants can extend their stay, provided they apply at the same time as the Tier 4 (General) Student applies to continue their studies, and within three months of the expiry of their existing leave.
C3. What are Higher Education Institutions?

A higher education institution (HEI) is a 'recognised body' (meaning that it has its own UK degree-awarding powers), or a body in receipt of public funding as a HEI.

Institutions (including further education colleges) which receive some public funding to deliver higher education courses do not fall within this definition of an HEI.

Below you can check if your Education Provider is a HEI:

England
Wales
Scotland
Northern Ireland
All recognised bodies with degree-awarding powers