What visa do you need?
Most international Students (Nationals of all countries except the United Kingdom and Ireland) will require immigration permission (a visa) in order to study in the UK.
Most international students on courses of longer than six months will require a Student Visa.
International students on courses of less than six months may be able to study as a visitor in the UK. Some nationalities require a visit visa, while others may be able to enter the UK to study as a visitor without needing a visa.
The table below outlines the appropriate type of immigration permission (or visa) for international students on different types of courses at the University of Westminster.
If you are a UK or Irish national or hold Indefinite Leave to Remain (Settled Status) in the UK, you do not require immigration permission to study in the UK.
If you hold some other type of immigration permission in the UK, whether you can study will depend on the conditions and period of your permission. See the end of this page for more information.
If you are a national of a European Union (EU) member state, Iceland, Liechtenstein or Norway (EEA) or a Swiss national and you do not have pre Brexit Withdrawal Agreement rights (Settled or Pre Settled Status under the European Settlement Scheme), you may need to apply for a Student Visa. Please see our Information for EU/ EEA & Swiss Nationals webpage.
The type of immigration permission you can study with, whether you need a visa, and the process for applying for it will differ depending on the type of course you plan to study, the length of your course and several other criteria.
You can find more information on how to apply for your visa and which visa to apply for on the UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA) website or the UK Government website
If you cannot find the answer to your question on the Home Office or UKCISA website, please contact Student Advice.
| What type of course will you be studying? | Visa type | Does it give you the right to work while studying? | Can you extend this visa inside the UK? |
|---|---|---|---|
A full time degree course (including Masters and Doctorate degrees but not part-time courses) |
(issued for University of Westminster)
| Yes (Student working conditions apply. See UKCISA’s student work information) | Yes, as long as you meet the conditions |
A short course (six months or less) or single semester study abroad programme* | No | No | |
A Study Abroad programme* longer than 6 months | (issued for University of Westminster) | Yes (Student working conditions apply. See UKCISA’s student work information) | Please seek advice |
A Pre-sessional English course leading to a degree course | (issued for University of Westminster)
| Yes (Student working conditions apply. See UKCISA’s student work information) | Yes, as long as you meet the conditions |
Student returning to the UK to re-take an exam | No | No | |
Student retaking part of a course without any timetabled attendance | No | No | |
Student retaking part of a course with timetabled attendance | Yes (Student working conditions apply. See UKCISA’s student work information) | Please seek advice | |
Family member of a Student (with a Student Visa) | (not all students can bring dependants)** | Different rules apply, see UKCISA information | Different rules apply, see UKCISA information |
*A Study Abroad programme is a one or two semester study period at University of Westminster, which is part of your degree studies outside the UK.
**Notes on Student Dependants.
Since 1 January 2024 immigration rule changes mean that most Masters students are no longer able to bring their dependents unless they are in receipt of a Government Scholarship/award, covering living costs and tuition fees.
There are transitional arrangements for dependents who already hold a dependent visa if the student (main applicant) is moving to another course.
PhD students remain eligible to bring dependents.
All students considering bringing their dependants should carefully read the UKCISA guidance ‘Which students can have dependants’.
Student Visas for other institutions
It is not possible to study at the University of Westminster with a Student Visa issued for study at another college, school or university. In some cases, if you receive a CAS from the University of Westminster and can show evidence that you have applied for a new Student Visa in the UK, it may be possible to enrol while awaiting a decision.
Contact us for advice if you need clarification.
Other types of visas or immigration permission
If you have another type of visa or immigration permission (such as a dependant visa or a work visa), you may be able to study at the University of Westminster if there is no prohibition on study.
Examples of other types of visa or immigration permission which do not prohibit study are:
- most dependent visas (dependent of a student, skilled worker etc)
- skilled worker
- UK ancestry
- youth mobility
Many other types of UK visas/ immigration permission do not prohibit study, but you should check the conditions of your own visa/immigration permission to ensure you can study.
You will need to consider whether your visa/immigration permission will cover the full length of your course of study and/or any changes to your circumstances might impact on the validity or extension of your visa.
If you are planning to switch to a Student visa after commencing your studies with another type of visa/immigration permission, your course will need to meet the requirements of the Student Visa and you will need to check whether you can apply for a Student visa in the UK and when you can apply.
Note: If you hold a Graduate Route or s High Potential Individual (HPI) visa, you will not be able to study on a course which meets the requirements of sponsorship under the student visa.
This means that study on most undergraduate and postgraduate programmes is not possible while you hold a Graduate Route or a HPI visa.
If you are switching from a Graduate Route or HPI visa to a Student Visa, you will not be able to start your studies until your student visa has been granted.
Contact us for advice if you need clarification.
Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS)
Find out about the CAS and how to get one.