Applying for a short-term study visa

After gathering your documents, complete your visa application online and pay for it.

If your course is less than 6 months long

You should apply for a Standard Visitor visa depending on your circumstances. This may be less expensive and, if you are a non-visa national, you may not need to apply for a visa before travelling to the UK.

Find out more about the Standard Visitor visa 

Find out more about the Student visa route

If your course is an English language programme of more than 6 months, but less than 11 months 

Complete your visa application 

You must apply online for a short-term study visa no more than 3 months before the start date of your programme. You must receive your visa before you travel to the UK and cannot arrive in the UK before the start date of your visa. 

You will need to pay the visa fee when you submit your visa application. 

Apply for a short-term student visa 

How to get a faster decision on your application

While completing your application, you may be able to pay extra for a priority service to speed up receiving a decision on your application. However, these services are not available in all countries.

Paying for your application  

You pay online for your visa application after completing it.   

You will pay for:  

• the visa application fee   

• the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) fee  

• any priority services  

Payment methods   

You can pay online on the UKVI website using a debit or credit card. 

Find out more

UKVI short-term study visa guidance

Calculate the fees for your visa application

Next step 

Once you have received your visa you can arrange your travel to the UK. You cannot arrive in the UK before the start date of your immigration permission. 

Travelling to the UK 

What to do if your visa has been refused