UK Higher Education Paperwork: Student Finance and Student Visas
Financing university studies and securing educational visas in the UK involves designated public loan bodies and UKVI.
Higher education students in the United Kingdom fund tuition fees and living maintenance through statutory student finance agencies (Student Finance England, Wales, Scotland, or Northern Ireland). Repayment obligations are income-contingent and only begin after graduating above specific statutory income thresholds. International students accepted to licensed sponsor universities must obtain a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) before applying for a Student Visa. Our guides detail tuition loan applications, repayment plans, post-study Graduate visas, and proof of student status.
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Get a place with a licensed student sponsor. Get your CAS. Show you have £1,529/month for living costs in London. You must hold the money for 28 days. This amount rises to £1,570/month from 30 November 2026 onwards. Apply online and give your biometrics. After you graduate, the Graduate route lets you stay and work for 2 years. If you apply from 1 January 2027 onwards, you can stay for 18 months. Budget 2026 says graduates of high-compliance universities with strong job outcomes will keep 2 years, but no list of universities has been published yet, so plan for 18 months.
6 steps · About 3 weeks · £558 visa + £776/year health surcharge (2026)2026-Latest
Your plan number depends on when and where you studied. It can be 1, 2, 4, 5, or postgraduate. Your plan changes everything. It sets the salary level where repayments start. It sets the percentage taken. It also sets the date the debt is wiped. Two minutes on the government repayment site tells you which plan you are on.
6 steps · 15 minutes to check · Free to check; repayments only above your plan threshold2025-Latest
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions and essential rules for students in United Kingdom.
When do I start repaying my UK student loan?
You only begin repaying your student loan the April after you graduate or leave your course. Repayment starts only when your income exceeds the specific threshold for your repayment plan (e.g., Plan 2 or Plan 5). Repayments are deducted automatically via PAYE.
How many hours can international students work in the UK on a Student Visa?
Students enrolled in full-time degree-level courses at higher education institutions can work up to 20 hours per week during term time, and full-time during official university vacation periods.
What is the UK Graduate visa route?
The Graduate visa allows international students who have successfully completed an eligible undergraduate or master's degree to stay and work in the UK for 2 years without requiring job sponsorship. Doctoral graduates can stay for 3 years on the same basis.
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