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- Courses
- Access to Higher Education
- Degree Pathways
- Digital Skills
- Progression Courses
- Functional Skills
- Employability Skills
Your Future Starts Here
- Courses
- Access to Higher Education
- Degree Pathways
- Digital Skills
- Progression Courses
- Functional Skills
- Employability Skills
- …
- Courses
- Access to Higher Education
- Degree Pathways
- Digital Skills
- Progression Courses
- Functional Skills
- Employability Skills
Standard Visitor Visa for Study and
Short Term Study Visa
Visa Guidelines for Short-term Study
Before you travel to the UK, it's important that you understand whether you will need a visa to study in the UK. If you do need a visa to study, don't worry - the UK welcomes international students but you must make sure that you have done everything correctly.
EC Reading is accredited by ASIC (Accreditation Services for International Colleges and Universities)
This means we can support your visa application to enter the UK to learn English for up to 11 months. There are different requirements depending on your nationality (citizenship) and how long the English language course is.
Do I need a visa to study in the UK?
The UK government has a very simple web page which will help you to answer this question.
Choose your nationality from the first page, then select the "Study" option from the next page. Finally, choose whether your course is more or less than 6 months.
If this web page says "You will not need a visa to come to the UK" then you can travel and enter the UK without applying in advance. You may still need to show evidence from us that you are studying at an accredited school, which we are, but that is all.
If this web page says "You’ll need a visa to study in the UK" then you will need to apply for a visa before you travel. You will need a letter from us, and you will need to provide evidence to explain your reason for wanting to study in the UK and your ability to cover the costs of your course and accommodation.
If you are not sure whether you will need a visa to study in the UK, please just ask us. We are happy to help you more personally; we just need to know your age and nationality.
Standard Visitor Visa for courses lasting from 1 week to 6 months
The Standard Visitor Visa can be used for those coming to the UK for short periods of study (up to 6 months) at an accredited institution.
If you are a citizen of EU, EEA or Switzerland
You can stay in the UK as a student at an accredited institution for up to 6 months without a visa. When you arrive in the UK, you need to show evidence that you will be learning with us. We can supply a letter on official headed paper to show border control officials.
If you are a citizen of outside EU or EEA
You need a Standard Visitor visa. Find out how to apply for a Standard Visitor visa here. We can supply a letter on official headed paper with the necessary details to prove you will be learning English with us.
Information about Standard Visitor Visa can be found here.
Some nationalities from outside the EU or the EEA can enter the UK to learn English for up to 6 months without a visa.
Check if your nationality is on this list here. If your nationality is on this list, you need a letter from the school to show immigration officials that you will be learning with us.
Check on this website.
What documents do I need to apply for a Standard Visitor Visa for study?
- The completed Student Visitor Visa application form.
- A valid passport (or travel document).
- Two passport sized colour photographs.
- Visa Letter from Egraduate College Reading – you will receive this from us after you have paid your complete fee.
- Evidence of money to support yourself – you must have enough money to pay for living costs without working (bank statements or payslips).
Visa Limitations
A Standard visitor visa is generally easier to obtain than a Student visa but does have some limitations. These are as follows:
- You cannot switch into another visa category once you are in the UK. This means you must leave the UK on or before the visa expiry date.
- UK immigration rules change frequently and as such we are not able to guarantee that the current rules will be in place for the duration of your programme.
- You are not allowed to work in the UK.
- You are not covered under the NHS (National Health Service). This means you will need to make sure you have adequate medical insurance to cover your stay in the UK.
- You cannot bring dependants with you
Apply for a Standard Visitor Visa for short term study
If you need a visa, you must apply online before you travel to the UK. You must apply online before you come to the UK. The earliest you can apply is 3 months before you travel to the UK.
You can access the online form at the following link:
https://www.gov.uk/standard-visitor-visa/apply
Once you’ve started your application you can save your form and complete it later.
Proving your identity and providing supporting documents
As part of your online application, you need to book an appointment at a visa application centre. You’ll have your fingerprints and photograph (known as ‘biometric information’) taken at your appointment.
Allow time to attend your appointment, as the visa application centre could be in another country. The visa application centre may keep your passport and documents while processing your application.
How long does it take to get the visa?
Once you’ve applied online, proved your identity and provided your documents, you’ll usually get a decision within 3 weeks.
Visa Application Fees
Standard Visitor Visa (up to 6 months): £115
Short-term Study Visa (from 6-11 months): £200
Healthcare Surcharge: £776
Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA)
You can apply for an ETA if you are a national of Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia or the United Arab Emirates.
It costs £10 to apply.
For more information please visit this web page.
Short-term Study Visa for English language courses lasting between 6 and 11 months
There is no difference in this process based on nationality or country of origin.
Whether you are a citizen of the EU, EEA, Switzerland, or from outside these regions, you need a Short-term study visa. With a Short-term study visa you can stay in the UK for the length of your course, plus an extra 30 days, as long as your stay is no longer than 11 months. We can supply a letter on official headed paper with the necessary details to prove you will be learning English with us.
Information about Short-term Study Visa. Click here.
How to apply for a Short-term Study Visa. Click here.
More information about visa application process. Click here.
For English language courses lasting longer than 11 months
You need a Student visa. This type of visa is called Tier 4 (General) Student visa. We do not support applications for this visa type.
Disclaimer
The information on this page is for guidance only. If you are unsure about your visa status, or for the most up-to-date information, please contact your local embassy or visit www.gov.uk/government/organisations/uk-visas-and-immigration
About Us
Egraduate College is a remote-first education provider specialising in pathway education for higher education institutions (HEIs). With a focus on assisting international students, Egraduate College offers valuable opportunities for individuals to pursue their academic aspirations at renowned HEIs primarily in the United Kingdom, as well as in the United States and Europe.
Accreditations
Egraduate College Reading (EC Reading) is accredited by ASIC (Accreditation Services for International Colleges and Universities).
Our courses lead to internationally recognised qualifications awarded by UK Awarding Organisations such as Open College Network South East Region (trading as Laser Learning Awards) and Accredited Skills for Industry.
Contact Us
Davidson House
Forbury Square
Reading RG1 3EU
United Kingdom
Tel: +44 (0) 1182287360
E: study@
Mobile/WhatsApp:
+44 (0) 7546912480
Copyright © 2020-2024 - Egraduate College Ltd. Registered in England and Wales.
Egraduate College is registered with the UK Register of Learning Provider (UKRLP Reference Number: 10087926).
ICO Registration Reference: ZA862540