Applying for a student visa

The following guidelines are for information only and are not intended to give comprehensive guidance on student visas.

  • To apply for a student visa you need

  1. A passport.  You should make sure this is valid for the whole time you are intending to be in the UK.
  2. Proof that you are studying on a full time course (minimum 15 hours per week) at a school listed on the UK Department of Education and Science Register of Providers -www.dfes.gov.uk/providersregister - and that you have paid a deposit or the full fees. 
  3. Excel English is on the Register of Providers and will provide a letter confirming you have been accepted on a course at the school.  Check if the Embassy will accept faxed documents or if you need the original letter.
  4. Proof that you have accommodation in the UK. If you book accommodation through the school, we will send you details of your accommodation before you leave your country.
  5. Proof that you have enough money to pay for living in London without working. (For example - bank statements or a bank book showing regular patterns of saving). You should allow about 125 GBP per week for living costs in addition to the cost of your accommodation. 

Please note that this list is not comprehensive. Make sure you take all necessary documents with you when you go to the Embassy. 

You may be given a student visa immediately or you may be given an appointment for an interview.

  • If you are asked for an interview

You need to convince the Entry Clearance Officer (ECO) that you are a serious student.  The ECO may -

  1. want to see evidence of your research into courses (for example - website addresses, emails to and from schools, school brochures). 
  2. ask you why you have decided to study English in the UK and to explain how it will help you in your future life.  The ECO will usually expect you to have studied some English in your own country first (bring evidence of earlier courses, English exams passed, etc).
  3. ask you about the course you are going to follow and why you chose Excel English (use the information on this website).
  4. ask for evidence of your intention to return to your own country (for example - return air ticket, letter from employer or university, details of family commitments).

Remember to

  1. Take all your documents with you.
  2. Ask for an interpreter if you have a low level of English. This will avoid misunderstandings.
  3. Be completely honest. 

Please note that this information is not comprehensive and the ECO retains the right to ask other questions and seek additional information.  Even if all of the information listed is provided in support of the application, this does not constitute an automatic guarantee that a visa will be issued. All applications, whatever their category, are decided on their merits in accordance with the provisions of the Immigration Rules.

  • Working in the UK

If you would like to work part time while you are in London, you should tell the Entry Clearance Officer (ECO) before your student visa is granted.  If you do not have a visa allowing you to work, you cannot change this once you arrive in the UK.  For details of the wording of visas allowing you to work part time visit www.??????

When you are given your student visa, make sure it is for the full length of your stay in the UK and it allows you to take part time work if this is what you want.  If mistakes have been made, tell the ECO. It is better to make changes before you leave your country.
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