How to study in United Kingdom

Compare each route by stay and permit, work rights, cost and who it suits. Sources are under each r⁠o⁠w⁠.

How do you get the⁠r⁠e⁠?

Choose a different route, and the permit you need chang⁠e⁠s⁠.

Study on a Student v⁠i⁠s⁠a

Who it suits

For people who want to enrol on a course and study proper⁠l⁠y⁠.

Length and permit

A Student visa and a CAS are needed

To study in the UK you apply for a Student visa. The application needs a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) from your course provider, your passport and proof of funds, among other documen⁠t⁠s⁠.

Cost

Funds proof: GBP 1,171 to 1,529 a month

The visa fee is GBP 558. The funds to show are GBP 1,529 a month for courses in London and GBP 1,171 a month outside London (both for up to 9 month⁠s⁠)⁠.

Source: UK Government: Student visa (⁠v⁠i⁠s⁠a⁠ ⁠f⁠e⁠e⁠)UK Government: Student visa, money you needUK Government: Student visa, documents you must provide

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Working holiday (Youth Mobility Sche⁠m⁠e⁠)

Who it suits

For people who meet the age rule and want a longer stay with wo⁠r⁠k⁠.

Length and permit

Ages 18 to 30, up to 2 years

Japanese citizens aged 18 to 30 can apply. The Youth Mobility Scheme visa lets you stay for up to 2 yea⁠r⁠s⁠.

Can you work?

Live and work in the UK

The visa lets you live and work in the UK for up to 2 yea⁠r⁠s⁠.

Cost

Savings of GBP 2,530 or more

The application fee is GBP 340. You show that you can support yourself with at least GBP 2,530 in your bank accou⁠n⁠t⁠.

Source: UK Government: Youth Mobility Scheme visaUK Government: Youth Mobility Scheme visa, eligibility

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Visit first as a tour⁠i⁠s⁠t

Who it suits

For people who want to see the place before choosing a scho⁠o⁠l⁠.

Length and permit

Up to 6 months on an ETA

An ETA for short trips lets you travel to the UK and certain other places for up to 6 months. Check on the official UK Government page whether your nationality is cover⁠e⁠d⁠.

Cost

An ETA costs GBP 20

An ETA costs GBP⁠ ⁠2⁠0⁠.

Source: UK Government: Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA)

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can Japanese citizens use the Youth Mobility Sche⁠m⁠e⁠?

Yes. Japanese citizens aged 18 to 30 can apply. The Youth Mobility Scheme visa lets you stay in the UK for up to 2 years. The application fee is GBP 340 and you show at least GBP 2,530 in your bank accou⁠n⁠t⁠.