Study Visa UK Requirements: Your Complete Guide

Securing your UK study visa really comes down to ticking four major boxes. You’ll need a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) from your university, solid proof you can cover your tuition and living costs, evidence of your English language skills, and of course, a valid passport. Get these four things right, and you’re well on your way to a successful application.

What Are the Core UK Study Visa Requirements?

Think of your UK study visa application like building a house. You need a solid foundation and four strong corner pillars. If one of those pillars is weak, the whole structure is at risk of failing. The UK Home Office wants to be certain of a few things: you're a genuine student, you're academically ready for your course, you can support yourself financially, and your English is good enough to thrive.

It all starts with getting that acceptance letter from a UK university. Once you’ve accepted their offer, the university provides you with a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS). This isn't a paper document they post to you; it's a unique reference number that serves as your official sponsorship for the visa. It's the absolute bedrock of your application.

UK Student Visa Requirements at a Glance

Before we dive deeper, let's quickly summarise those four essential pillars. Getting these right is non-negotiable for a successful application.

Requirement Pillar	What It Means for You
Confirmation of Acceptance (CAS)	This is your official, electronic 'invitation' from a licensed UK university confirming you have a place on a course.
Proof of Financial Capacity	You must show you have enough money to pay for your first year of tuition fees and your living expenses for up to 9 months.
English Language Proficiency	You need to prove your English is up to scratch, usually by taking an approved test like the IELTS for UKVI.
Correct Supporting Documents	This includes your current passport, academic certificates, tuberculosis (TB) test results, and any other documents requested.

Nailing each of these components is crucial. Let's break them down further.

The Four Pillars of Your Application

First up, after your CAS, is the financial proof. This is a big one. You have to prove you have enough cash to pay for your first year's tuition fees plus a specific amount for living costs. Many applications stumble right here, so getting the numbers and the documentation perfect is absolutely critical.

Next, you need to show you can handle the language. For most Nigerian students, this means taking a Secure English Language Test (SELT), like the IELTS for UKVI, and hitting the score your university requires.

Finally, you gather your paperwork. The list might look a bit daunting at first, but it revolves around a few key items. For a complete checklist of everything you'll need, our detailed guide on the study visa UK requirements breaks it all down for you.

At the end of the day, you need to convince the UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) officer of two simple things: that your main reason for coming to the UK is genuinely to study, and that you have the money to do it without needing to work illegally or access public funds.

With these four pillars—your CAS, finances, English test, and documents—all sorted, you can build a really strong case. Each part is just as important as the next, and we'll explore them in more detail to make sure you're completely ready.

Navigating the UK Points-Based System

Getting your UK student visa isn't some game of chance; it's really a matter of simple arithmetic. The UK government uses what’s called a Points-Based System (PBS), and for a Student visa, the magic number is 70 points. Think of it as a checklist where you have to tick every box to succeed. If you don't hit that 70-point mark, your application simply won't move forward.

The great thing is, the scoring is completely transparent. It’s not a mystery. Once you understand how these points are awarded, you'll know exactly what UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) is looking for, allowing you to build a rock-solid application from the ground up.

How the 70 Points Break Down

The 70 points are split across three non-negotiable categories. You can't just be strong in one area to make up for a weakness in another; you have to satisfy the requirements for all three. It’s an all-or-nothing system.

Here’s the simple breakdown:

50 points come from your Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS).
10 points are for meeting the financial requirements.
10 points are for demonstrating your English language skills.

As you can see, your CAS isn't just another piece of paper—it's the absolute core of your application, making up more than 70% of the total points. Without a valid CAS, you're not even in the game. The other 20 points are just as critical, proving you can financially support yourself and communicate effectively during your studies.

This image neatly summarises the key eligibility requirements you need to meet.

The picture really drives home how your university acceptance and financial stability are the two pillars of a successful UK study visa application.

The Power of Your CAS

Your Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) is the golden ticket that secures those massive 50 points. It’s a unique reference number your university gives you once you’ve accepted their offer. This number tells the Home Office that a licensed institution has vouched for you and confirmed you have a place on a genuine course.

Your CAS statement holds critical information that must be flawless:

Your personal details, like your name, date of birth, and passport number.
Your course information: the title, level, and start and end dates.
First-year tuition fees and any amount you've already paid towards them.
The method your university used to assess your English language proficiency.

Crucial Tip: I can't stress this enough: triple-check every single detail on your CAS statement before you hit submit on that visa application. A tiny mistake, like a typo in your name or an incorrect fee listed, can be grounds for refusal. If you find an error, get in touch with your university’s admissions team right away to get it fixed.

It's also worth remembering that the goalposts can move. Recent changes to immigration policy have had a real impact on applicants from many countries, including Nigeria. Keeping up-to-date with the latest UK immigration new rules is essential to make sure your application aligns perfectly with the current requirements.

At the end of the day, the Points-Based System is just a formal checklist. By methodically providing the evidence for each category, you’re showing the UKVI that you are a serious, credible student who is ready for your UK education. Once you've confidently secured your 70 points, you're ready to apply.

Proving You Have Sufficient Funds

This is often the most stressful part of the entire application and, frankly, it’s where many genuine students stumble. Proving you have enough money isn’t just about having the cash; it’s about showing it in the very specific way the UK Home Office demands.

Get this right, and you’ve secured a crucial 10 points towards your visa. Think of it this way: the Home Office needs to see that you can comfortably pay for your course and support yourself without needing to work illegally or access public funds. Your bank statements are the hard evidence that proves you're a credible and financially secure student.

How Much Money Do You Really Need?

The amount you need to show isn't a random figure pulled from a hat. It's a straightforward calculation based on two key things: your tuition fees and your living costs.

Tuition Fees: You must show you have the money to cover your first full year of tuition. You'll find this exact amount on your Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS). If you've already paid a deposit to your university, that amount is subtracted from what you need to show.
Living Costs (Maintenance): You also need to prove you have a set amount for your living expenses for up to nine months. The required amount all comes down to where your university is.

Location of Study	Required Monthly Living Cost	Total for 9 Months
Inside London	£1,334 per month	£12,006
Outside London	£1,023 per month	£9,207

Let's take a real-world example. If your course is at the University of Manchester (which is outside London) and your first-year tuition is £18,000, your calculation would be: £18,000 (tuition) + £9,207 (living costs) = £27,207 in total.

Understanding the 28-Day Rule

This is a non-negotiable rule that catches so many applicants out. The total amount of money you calculated above must be held in your (or your parent's/guardian's) bank account for a minimum of 28 consecutive days. The statement you provide must have a closing date that is no more than 31 days before you submit your visa application.

Key Insight: During this 28-day period, the balance must never drop below the required amount. Not for a single day. Not even by a single Naira. If it dips, even for a few hours before being topped back up, the 28-day clock resets, and you risk an instant visa refusal.

This rule exists to prove the funds are genuinely yours and not just borrowed to make your account look good for the application. Financial stability is a huge part of proving you're a credible student. It's tougher than ever to get a UK study visa; there was a significant 14% drop in sponsored study visas granted last year. Nigeria fell to fourth place among source countries, behind China, India, and Pakistan, largely due to stricter financial checks. You can explore more data on these shifting international student patterns to really grasp the current climate.

Acceptable Sources of Funds

The Home Office is incredibly specific about where your money can come from. You can't just use funds from any source.

Accepted sources generally include:

Personal Savings: Money held in a bank account under your own name.
Parental/Guardian Sponsorship: Funds in your parents' or legal guardians' accounts. For this, you'll need your birth certificate to prove the relationship and a signed letter of consent from them.
Official Financial Sponsorship: This could be a scholarship from your university, funding from your home government, or sponsorship from an approved international company.
Student Loans: A loan from a recognised financial institution is fine, but the loan must be in your name.

It's absolutely vital that the bank and the statement format you use are acceptable to UKVI. Funds from sources like stocks and shares that can't be accessed immediately, or money held in certain types of financial institutions, are usually not accepted. Always double-check the latest guidance to ensure your proof of funds meets the strict study visa UK requirements.

Meeting the English Language Requirement

Demonstrating your English skills is the final piece of the puzzle, bagging you the last 10 points you need for your visa. Think of it as proving to the UK Home Office that you won't just be sitting in lectures, but actively participating. They need assurance that you can keep up with fast-paced seminars and write compelling essays right from the start.

For most students, this means sitting for a Secure English Language Test (SELT) from a provider approved by the government. The most recognised test is the IELTS for UKVI, which is tailored specifically for visa applications. Getting a good score is non-negotiable, so solid IELTS preparation is something you should seriously consider.

Required Test Scores and Levels

So, what score do you actually need? It all hinges on the academic level of your course. If you’re aiming for a degree-level programme or higher (like a Bachelor's or Master's), you'll need to prove your English proficiency is at the B2 level of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).

To put that into perspective, for an approved SELT, this usually means hitting these minimum scores:

IELTS for UKVI: An overall score of 5.5, with no less than 5.5 in each of the four components—reading, writing, listening, and speaking.

A word of warning: your university might have its own, higher English requirements for admission. Always double-check what they expect. Ultimately, the score stated on your CAS is the one that the visa officials will look at.

Are You Exempt From Taking a Test?

Now for some potentially great news. You might be able to skip the English test entirely, which could save you a fair bit of time and money.

The Home Office grants exemptions to nationals of certain majority English-speaking countries. As the UKVI officially recognises Nigeria as a majority English-speaking country, you may not need to provide a test result.

You could also be exempt if you’ve already earned a degree-level qualification that was taught in English. So, if you completed your Bachelor’s degree in Nigeria, this might be all the proof you need. Your university will be the one to assess this and state it on your CAS.

This is a huge advantage for many Nigerian students, but remember that the visa landscape is always in flux. While UK Home Office statistics show an overall 10% drop in sponsored study visas in the year to March, the situation for Nigerian applicants is showing signs of recovery after a steep decline. It’s a good reminder of how quickly policies and application numbers can change.

How Your University Can Assess You

In some cases, the university you’ve applied to can assess your English language abilities directly. If they are satisfied that you meet the B2 level, they will simply confirm this on your CAS, and that's all the Home Office needs to see.

So how does this work in practice?

Your university might look at your previous qualifications, such as your WAEC results.
They could ask you to sit for an internal English test or attend an interview.
They may simply accept your previous degree taught in English as sufficient evidence.

The golden rule is to keep an open line of communication with your university's admissions team. They will give you the clearest guidance on their specific study visa UK requirements for English and point you in the right direction.

Your Essential Document Checklist

Think of your visa application like building a case in court. Each document is a piece of evidence, and you’re the one who has to prove you’re a genuine student. If you leave out a key piece of evidence, or if it isn’t presented correctly, you could lose the case. This checklist isn’t just a to-do list; it’s about understanding why each document matters.

Getting your papers in order is half the battle. Seriously, mastering the art of organizing documentation will save you a world of stress. A neatly organised file, digital or physical, helps you avoid that last-minute panic and ensures you meet all the strict study visa UK requirements.

Core Documents Everyone Needs

These are the absolute must-haves. Don't even think about applying without them, as they form the very foundation of your application. Missing any of these means an instant refusal.

Current Passport or Travel Document: This is your primary ID. It needs to have at least one completely blank page for the visa sticker and must be valid for your entire course.
Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) Reference Number: You won’t get a physical letter for this. Instead, your university will give you a unique number. The visa officer punches this into their system to see all the details about you, your course, and the fees you’ve paid.
Proof of Financial Capacity: This is where those bank statements or loan letters we talked about come in. They must show you've held the required amount for 28 consecutive days, proving you can support yourself and earning you those vital 10 points.
Proof of English Language Proficiency: This could be your official test result, like an IELTS for UKVI certificate. Alternatively, your CAS might state that the university has assessed your English and is satisfied it meets the standard.

Situational Documents You Might Need

Now, let's talk about the 'it depends' documents. Your personal situation dictates whether you'll need these. Overlooking them when they apply to you is a classic, and entirely avoidable, reason for getting a visa refusal.

Tuberculosis (TB) Test Certificate: If you're applying from Nigeria, this is mandatory. You have to get tested at a UK Home Office-approved clinic before you submit your visa application to prove you're free from TB.
Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) Certificate: This is specifically for postgraduate students in certain science, engineering, or technology fields. Don’t worry about guessing; your university will clearly state on your offer letter if you need to get an ATAS certificate.
Parental Consent for Under-18s: If you’re 16 or 17, you need a formal letter from your parents or legal guardians. It has to confirm they support your application, your travel plans, and your living arrangements in the UK.

Pro Tip: If any of your documents aren't in English or Welsh, you absolutely must get them officially translated. You'll need to submit the original document, the certified translation, and a statement from the translator confirming their credentials and that it's an accurate translation.

It's encouraging to see that despite recent changes, the interest from Nigerian students remains strong. In fact, there was a 64% increase in UK study visa applications from Nigeria in the first quarter of this year compared to the last. This surge means more competition, making it absolutely critical that your application is perfect from the get-go.

The Application Process: Timelines and Fees

Getting your timing right is absolutely crucial when you apply for your visa. Once you've gathered all your documents, the last leg of the journey is submitting the application, paying the fees, and then the waiting begins. Knowing the timeline isn't just about being patient; it’s about smart planning to sidestep any last-minute panic.

You can apply for your Student visa up to six months before your course starts, and honestly, you should aim to apply as soon as you get your Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS). Procrastinating here is a classic mistake that can throw a wrench in your plans before you've even left home.

Key Timelines You Need to Know

After you've hit 'submit' on your online application and had your biometrics taken, the wait for a decision starts. The standard processing time for a Student visa application from outside the UK is usually about three weeks. But think of this as more of a guideline than a guarantee.

Things can get really busy during the peak season, which is typically from July to September. During these months, those timelines can easily get longer. This is exactly why applying early is so important. If you leave it too late, you risk missing your university enrolment date, which is a stressful and entirely avoidable situation.

Breaking Down the Costs

There are two main costs you absolutely have to plan for when applying for your UK study visa. You'll need to have these funds ready to go when you submit your application, so it's essential to budget for them properly.

Visa Application Fee: The fee for a Student visa from outside the UK currently stands at £490. This price can change, so it’s always a good idea to double-check the official UK government website for the latest figure before you apply.
Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS): This is a compulsory fee that grants you access to the UK's National Health Service (NHS) while you're studying. For students, the IHS costs £776 per year of your visa. You have to pay for your entire stay upfront.

So, if you're coming for a three-year undergraduate degree, your IHS bill would be 3 x £776, which comes to £2,328. This is a hefty sum, so make sure it's a firm part of your initial budget.

Crucial Insight: A simple but expensive error is getting your IHS calculation wrong or not having enough money set aside for both the visa and the full surcharge. The application portal simply won't let you move forward without the full payment, causing delays that could jeopardise your start date.

Common Pitfalls and How to Avoid Them

Aside from applying too late or messing up your funds, another potential stumbling block is the credibility interview. Not everyone gets called for one, but you absolutely have to be ready just in case. It's a brief interview where a visa officer checks that you are a genuine student.

They’ll likely ask about your course, why you chose that particular university, and how you're paying for your studies. Giving fuzzy or inconsistent answers can raise a red flag. For a more detailed look at the application steps and how to steer clear of common mistakes, check out this guide on how to apply for a student visa.

At the end of the day, a smooth application comes down to being prepared. By understanding the timelines, budgeting correctly, and getting ready for any possibility, you're setting yourself up for success and a hassle-free start to your UK education.

Frequently Asked Questions

When you're deep in the UK student visa application process, it’s only natural for questions—some of them quite specific and tricky—to pop up. Getting straight answers is key to keeping things stress-free. Here, we'll walk through some of the most common queries we see from students.

Can I Work in the UK on My Student Visa?

This is probably one of the first questions on every student's mind. The short answer is yes, you generally can, but there are strict rules you absolutely have to follow.

If you’re studying a degree-level course at a recognised university, you’ll usually be allowed to work part-time. This typically breaks down as:

Up to 20 hours per week while your course is in session.
Full-time during official university holidays, like Christmas or summer break.

Sticking to these hours is non-negotiable. Working even slightly over your permitted hours is a serious breach of your visa conditions and could put your right to study in the UK at risk. Always double-check the exact conditions printed on your visa sticker or your Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) as soon as you get it.

What Is a Credibility Interview?

The mere mention of a credibility interview can make students nervous, but it helps to know what it’s for. It's a short chat, usually over a video call, with a UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) official to verify that you're a genuine student. Not everyone gets called for one, but you need to be ready just in case.

Think of it this way: the UKVI wants to make sure you're coming to the UK for genuine academic reasons, not just using the student route as a backdoor for other purposes. The interviewer's job is simply to confirm that you’ve done your homework.

To pass with flying colours, you just need to be yourself and speak honestly about your plans. Be prepared to talk about why you picked this specific course, what drew you to this particular university, how it all ties into your future career, and how you’re funding it all. Being vague or giving answers that don't quite add up will raise immediate red flags.

It’s less of an interrogation and more of a focused conversation about your academic journey. The best preparation is to have clear, confident answers that reflect your true intentions.

What Happens If My Visa Is Refused?

Getting a visa refusal notice is gut-wrenching, but it doesn't automatically mean your dream is over. The very first thing you must do is sit down and read the refusal letter from start to finish. It will spell out exactly why they denied your application, pointing to the specific immigration rules they believe you didn't meet.

Understanding the why is everything. Maybe there was a simple mistake in your financial documents, you stumbled during the credibility interview, or you filled out a section of the form incorrectly. These are all common reasons.

If you genuinely believe the Home Office made a mistake—for instance, they missed a key document you definitely included—you might have the option to apply for an Administrative Review. This isn't a new application; it's a formal request for a different official to look over the original decision and check for errors. You can't submit new evidence here. In many other cases, your best bet is to submit a fresh application, making absolutely sure you've corrected the problem that caused the first refusal.

Planning a move abroad is a huge undertaking that demands solid preparation and information you can trust. JapaChat is Nigeria's AI immigration expert, built to provide instant, reliable answers for all your visa and relocation questions. Stop the guesswork and start planning your future with confidence by visiting JapaChat today.