VISA REQUIREMENTS
DO I REQUIRE A VISA TO STUDY AT BCC?
KEY FACTS
You can visit the UK as a Standard Visitor for tourism, business, study (courses up to 6 months) and other permitted activities. If you want to study for more than 6 months you’ll need to apply for either a:
- Short-term study visa - for English Language courses up to 11 months
- Student visa - for courses run by licensed student sponsors
STUDYING IN THE UK FOR SIX MONTHS OR LESS
You can visit the UK for up to 6 months to study at an accredited institution (this includes English language courses) with a Standard Visitor visa. You must have a passport or travel document to enter the UK. It should be valid for the whole of your stay.
You must be able to show that:
- you’ll leave the UK at the end of your visit
- you’re able to support yourself
- you’re able to pay for your return or onward journey (or have funding from someone else to pay for the journey)
- you’ll not live in the UK for extended periods through frequent or successive visits, or make the UK your main home
You may need to meet extra eligibility requirements if you’re visiting the UK, you must prove that:
- you’ve been accepted onto a course provided by an accredited UK institution
- the course is no more than 6 months long (unless it’s a distance learning course)
HOW DO I APPLY FOR A STANDARD VISITOR VISA?
You must apply for a Standard Visitor visa before you travel to the UK :
- Want to visit the UK for up to 6 months.
- Pay the application fee (currently £115 for up to 6 months).
- Are visiting for tourism, short study (English courses or training up to 6 months), visiting friends/family, business, medical reasons, or certain other permitted activities.
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If you are under 18, please visit www.gov.uk/standard-visitor-visa/ for further information and the additional requirements
You must apply online, please visit www.gov.uk/standard-visitor-visa. As a part of your application, you need to book an appointment at a visa application centre, please visit www.gov.uk/find-a-visa-application-centre for more information. You will have your fingerprints and photograph ( known as ‘biometric information’) taken at your appointment.
DOCUMENTS YOU MUST PROVIDE:
- A valid passport (with a blank page for the visa).
- Travel plans (flights, accommodation details, if available).
- Proof of funds (bank statements, payslips, sponsor letter if someone is supporting you).
- English Language course confirmation letter from the school or college
SHORT -TERM STUDY VISA - FOR ENGLISH COURSES BETWEEN SIX AND ELEVEN MONTHS
Students who want to study English in the UK or between six and eleven months should apply for a Short-term study visa before travel. should apply for a Short-term study visa before travel.
Short - term study visa:
- Is suitable for any English language courses
- Pay the visa fee: £214 (as of 2025).
- Be able to support yourself financially (tuition fees, living costs, accommodation, return travel).
- You’ll also have to pay the healthcare surcharge as part of your online application. It usually costs £776.
- The earliest you can apply is 3 months before you travel
- Intend to leave the UK when your course finishes.
- If you are under 18, please visit www.gov.uk/visa-to-study-english for further information and the additional requirements You must apply online, please visitwww.gov.uk/study-visit-visa apply as a part of your application, you need to book an appointment at a visa application centre, please visit www.gov.uk/find-a-visa-application-centre for more information. You will have your fingerprints and photograph ( known as ‘biometric information’) taken at your appointment.
Documents you must provide:
- Passport ( you need one blank page in your passport for visa and the passport has to be valid for your whole stay in the UK
- Certified translation of any documents that are not in English or Welsh
- Applicants need to show proof of their financies to cover trip, course, accommodation and living costs while in the UK
- English Language course confirmation letter from the school or college
- Details of previous UK visits or visas (if any).
- Application can be submitted online at www.gov.uk/study-visit-visa
STUDENT VISAS - FOR ENGLISH COURSES LONGER THAN 11 MONTHS
Students who want to study English in the UK for more than 11 months, should apply for a Student visa before travel.
You can apply for a Student visa to study in the UK if you’re 16 or over and you:
- Be 16 or older (different age rules apply if under 18).
- Have been accepted onto a course by a UK-registered Student Sponsor (an accredited institution licensed to sponsor international students).
- Prove you have enough money to pay tuition fees, living costs, and accommodation.
- Be able to speak, read, write, and understand English (level depends on course and visa rules).
- Previous education certificates (sometimes required).
