# Study in the UK from India: Student visa, intakes and timeline > To study in the UK from India you need an offer from a university that is a licensed student sponsor, a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) from that university, and a Student visa from UK Visas and Immigration. You apply online and give your fingerprints and photo at a visa application centre. - Page: https://travelsorted.grihaam.online/countries/uk - Official visa route: [Student visa](https://www.gov.uk/student-visa) - Last verified: 2026-10-20 ## Quick facts - **Visa route:** Student visa - **Who decides:** UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI), part of the Home Office - **Key document from your university:** CAS — Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies - **Main intakes:** September / October and January / February (some courses start at other times) - **Usual course length:** Bachelor's degrees are usually 3 years (4 in Scotland); taught master's degrees are usually 1 year - **Health cover:** Immigration Health Surcharge, paid as part of the visa application - **Currency:** Pound sterling (GBP, £) - **Teaching language:** English — you usually need to show English language ability ## Intakes September / October · January / February ## What the Student visa route needs from you - [ ] A confirmed place on a course at a licensed student sponsor (your university will confirm it is one) - [ ] A Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) issued by that university - [ ] Proof that you can pay your course fees and support yourself — the official page sets the rules - [ ] Evidence of your English language ability, in the way your university and course level require - [ ] A valid passport and the other documents listed on GOV.UK for your situation - [ ] A tuberculosis (TB) test certificate if the rules for your country and course length require one - [ ] Payment of the visa application fee and the Immigration Health Surcharge - [ ] Fingerprints and a photo (biometrics) at a visa application centre ## What you will do, and when A typical order of play for a September start. Your own dates depend on your university and course — treat this as a planning guide, then confirm every date on the official pages. 1. **12–9 months before you start — Shortlist courses and universities.** Compare courses, entry requirements and application deadlines. Undergraduates usually apply through UCAS; postgraduates usually apply directly to each university. Check that the university is a licensed student sponsor. 2. **9–6 months before — Apply and collect offers.** Send applications with your transcripts, references and personal statement. Offers can be conditional — for example on final results or an English test score. 3. **After you accept an offer — Meet the conditions and request your CAS.** Your university tells you when it will issue your CAS and what it needs first, such as a deposit or English test results. Check every detail on the CAS against your passport. 4. **3–4 months before — Get your evidence ready.** Gather proof of funds in the format GOV.UK asks for, book a TB test if it applies to you, and organise your documents in one folder (your StudentFlow document vault works well for this). 5. **As early as the official page allows — Apply for the Student visa online.** Complete the online application, pay the application fee and the Immigration Health Surcharge, and book your biometrics appointment. GOV.UK states how early you can apply for your course start date. 6. **While you wait — Sort accommodation.** Apply for university halls or look at private student housing and shared rentals. Never pay a deposit for a room you have not been able to verify. 7. **After the visa decision — Book flights, forex and a phone plan.** Book travel once your visa is approved, arrange how you will pay on arrival, and decide how you will get data on day one (an eSIM is one option). 8. **Arrival week — Land, enrol and settle in.** Carry your passport, visa documents, CAS and university letters in hand luggage. Complete enrolment, follow your visa decision’s instructions for proving your status, register with a GP and open a bank account. ## Costs to plan for We do not quote amounts here because they change. Each line below tells you where the real number lives. - **Tuition fees:** Set by each university and course. International fees are published on the course page. - **Living costs:** Rent, food, transport and phone. These vary a lot by city — London is usually more expensive than most other places. - **Visa application fee:** Paid online when you apply. Check the current fee on GOV.UK. - **Immigration Health Surcharge:** Charged for the length of your visa and paid with your application. Use the official calculator. - **Maintenance funds:** Money you must be able to show, held in the way the rules require. The amount depends on your course and location. - **English and TB tests:** Fees go to the approved test centre or clinic, not to the government. - **Flights and luggage:** Fares change with season and how early you book. Check the baggage allowance before you pack. - **Housing deposit and first rent:** Many landlords ask for a deposit and rent in advance. Ask how the deposit is protected. - **Forex and bank charges:** Compare exchange rates and transfer fees, not just the headline rate. ## Official sources - [Student visa — GOV.UK](https://www.gov.uk/student-visa): Eligibility, how to apply, documents - [Money you need — GOV.UK](https://www.gov.uk/student-visa/money-you-need): Maintenance funds rules - [Immigration Health Surcharge — GOV.UK](https://www.gov.uk/healthcare-immigration-application): What it is and how to pay - [TB test for visa applicants — GOV.UK](https://www.gov.uk/tb-test-visa): Who needs a test and where to take it - [UCAS](https://www.ucas.com/): Undergraduate applications ## Study in the UK: common questions ### Do I need a CAS before I apply for the UK Student visa? Yes. The CAS is issued by your university after you accept an offer and meet its conditions. You use the CAS reference number in your visa application, so ask your university when it will be issued. ### Is the Immigration Health Surcharge optional? For most Student visa applicants it is paid as part of the visa application. It gives you access to NHS healthcare while you are in the UK, although some charges, such as dental treatment, can still apply. Check GOV.UK for the current rules and amount. ### When should I apply for the UK Student visa? GOV.UK sets the earliest date you can apply, based on your course start date. Apply as soon as you are allowed and have your documents ready, and check the official page for current processing information because it changes. ### Can I work while studying in the UK? Student visas usually come with work conditions, including limits on hours in term time. Your visa decision lists the exact conditions that apply to you, and GOV.UK explains the general rules. ## Popular universities in the UK - [Imperial College London](https://travelsorted.grihaam.online/universities/imperial-college-london) — London - [King's College London](https://travelsorted.grihaam.online/universities/kings-college-london) — London - [University College London (UCL)](https://travelsorted.grihaam.online/universities/university-college-london) — London - [University of Cambridge](https://travelsorted.grihaam.online/universities/university-of-cambridge) — Cambridge - [University of Edinburgh](https://travelsorted.grihaam.online/universities/university-of-edinburgh) — Edinburgh - [University of Manchester](https://travelsorted.grihaam.online/universities/university-of-manchester) — Manchester - [University of Oxford](https://travelsorted.grihaam.online/universities/university-of-oxford) — Oxford - [University of Warwick](https://travelsorted.grihaam.online/universities/university-of-warwick) — Coventry ## Guides for the UK - [UK Immigration Health Surcharge, explained](https://travelsorted.grihaam.online/resources/uk-immigration-health-surcharge-explained): Most UK Student visa applicants pay the Immigration Health Surcharge with their application. Here is what it is, how it works and what it does not cover. - [UK Student visa from India, explained](https://travelsorted.grihaam.online/resources/uk-student-visa-from-india): To study in the UK for over six months you need a Student visa and a CAS from your university. Here is the route in plain English, with a checklist. --- General information, not legal or immigration advice. Confirm current rules, fees and thresholds on the official pages linked above.