UK Student Visa Requirements

Document Checklist

The documents listed below are generally required for a UK Student Visa application. Individual requirements may vary depending on your nationality, the type of course, and your personal circumstances. Vortex Ease will provide you with a personalised document checklist during your consultation.

Identity & Travel Documents

• Valid passport - your passport should have at least 6 months of validity beyond your intended travel date to the UK
• Passport-size photograph meeting UKVI's specified dimensions and quality requirements

Academic Documents

• University or college offer letter confirming your accepted place on a course
• CAS reference number issued by your UKVI-licensed institution
• Transcripts and certificates from previous academic qualifications (as required by your institution or UKVI)

Financial Evidence

• Bank statements showing you hold the required amount of funds for the stipulated holding period (typically 28 consecutive days)
• Official financial sponsor letter (if your fees and living costs are being funded by a third-party sponsor such as a government body or employer)

English Language

• English-language evidence accepted by your sponsoring institution, such as a UKVI-approved SELT reference number or a qualification or test accepted by the university for degree-level study, unless an exemption applies

Financial Requirements

To meet the financial requirement, you must demonstrate that you can cover both your tuition fees and your living costs for the duration of your course (up to a maximum of 9 months of living costs). The funds must generally be held in your account - or an official sponsors account - for a consecutive 28-day period ending no more than 31 days before your application date. The exact amounts required are set by UKVI and are subject to change. For courses in London, a higher living cost figure applies compared to outside London. Vortex Ease will always advise you on the current figures relevant to your application.

Acceptable forms of financial evidence include bank statements from a regulated financial institution, official financial sponsor letters, and government or international scholarship award letters. Offshore funds, money held in fixed-term bonds, or overdraft facilities are generally not acceptable. Our team will review your financial evidence before submission to avoid common pitfalls.

English Language Requirements

The evidence you need depends on your course level and your sponsoring institution. If you are studying at degree level or above, a licensed Higher Education Provider can assess your English itself and record this on your CAS. This allows many UK universities to accept a broader range of English tests and qualifications. For study below degree level, or whenever your sponsor specifically requires one, you will normally need a Secure English Language Test (SELT) taken with an approved provider and at an approved test centre.

• IELTS - Main English Test: IELTS remains one of the most widely recognised options. Choose IELTS for UKVI when your university or visa circumstances require a SELT; many universities also accept IELTS Academic for degree-level admission. Always follow the exact test type and score stated in your university offer.
• UKVI-approved SELTs: The approved four-skills options for the Student route include IELTS for UKVI, PTE Academic UKVI, LANGUAGECERT Academic SELT or General SELT, Skills for English UKVI (outside the UK), and Trinity Integrated Skills in English (ISE) at approved UK centres. The exact test and level must match your circumstances.
• Additional tests accepted by some UK universities: Depending on the institution and course, accepted evidence may include IELTS Academic, TOEFL iBT, PTE Academic, Cambridge B2 First, Cambridge C1 Advanced, Cambridge C2 Proficiency, Trinity ISE, LANGUAGECERT Academic, Oxford ELLT, Oxford Test of English Advanced, Skills for English, Kaplan Test of English, Password Skills Plus, and the Duolingo English Test.
• Acceptance and scores vary: Each university sets its own overall and component scores, validity period, permitted test format, and course-specific rules. An online or home edition accepted by one institution may not be accepted by another, and pre-sessional or foundation courses may have different requirements.
• Possible exemptions: Some applicants can meet the requirement through nationality, an eligible qualification, or a degree taught in English. The evidence required depends on where the qualification was awarded and how the university records its assessment on the CAS.