Before you book your course

Important information for students who need a visa to enter the UK

From 1st April 2009 the application procedure for students has changed.
Please look carefully at the information below. If you have any questions please contact us or look at the following websites:
www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/studyingintheuk/
www.ukvisas.gov.uk

Students now have two options for entering the UK as a student:

1. General Student Visa (GSV)

Students who want to study on a General Student Visa can apply by post (the application form can be downloaded from www.ukvisas.gov.uk) or online via the local British Embassy.

You can apply for a General Student Visa for a course at King Street College from one week up to one year. However usually students apply for a GSV if their course is for more than six months.
You can work for 10 hours per week and extend your visa in the UK.
If your course is less than 6 months you will probably receive a visa for the length of the course plus 7 days.
If your course is between 6 months and 12 months you you will probably receive a visa for the length of the course plus two months.

You will have to supply biometric data to a UK visa issuing centre before you apply for your visa.

When you make your application you will need:

a) A CAS (Confirmation of Acceptance of Studies) statement from a school on the UKBA Register of Sponsors. (King Street College is on the Register)

b) Proof of maintenance funds.
You must have £800 per month for every month you want to study in London up to a maximum of £7,200 for a one year course.
The money can be in your account or, if it is in your sponsor's or parents' account you must have joint access to it.
The money must have been in this account for a minimum of 28 days before you apply for your visa.
If you have not paid for your course in full the balance of the fees must also be in this account.
You can also prove you have the funds by showing a loan in your name or official government sponsorship.

c) Proof of level.
To apply for a General Student Visa.
You have to send the school evidence that you have studied English either in your country or abroad to the level of at least IELTS 4.0. This can be a high school or university certificate or attendance record showing that you studied English; an internationally recognised English language exam (eg IELTS or Cambridge ESOL or TOEFL); or a certificate from a private language school.

You can send us a copy of the document (which must be officially translated if not in English) but you must send the original with the visa application.
Please note: we CANNOT issue you a CAS (Confirmation of Acceptance of Studies) statement until we have seen the document you send us to prove your level of English. You can post, fax or email this to us.

2. Student Visitor's Visa (SVV)

If your level of English is very low or you only want a short course you can apply for a Student Visitor's Visa.

The embassy will interview you and assess your financial situation. They will ask your reasons for learning English.
A student visitor's visa is issued for up to a period of 6 months.
You cannot work and you have to return to your country if you want to change or extend the visa.

If you are from a non-visa national country you can apply for the Student Visitor's Visa for free at immigration in the UK.

You will need a Certificate of Enrolment from us showing the course and accommodation (if applicable) booked and the fees paid.

Please continue to the application form: