How to Apply for a UK Short-term Study Visa – A Simple 2025 Guide

Before you apply, make sure you gather all the right documents. Here’s what you’ll need:

• A valid passport with at least one blank page.
• Proof you can support yourself, such as bank statements or payslips from the last 6 months.
• Details of where you’ll stay in the UK and your travel plans—but don’t pay for accommodation or flights until your visa is approved.
• Evidence you’ve paid your course fees or have enough money to cover them.
• A letter of acceptance from your school (like ES London), stating the course name, start and end dates, fees, and any accommodation.
• A TB test result, if required for your country.
• A certified translation for any documents not in English or Welsh.

If you’re under 18, you’ll also need:

• A written consent letter from your parent(s) or guardian covering your visa, travel, and living arrangements.
• Contact details of at least one parent or guardian.
• Proof of where and with whom you’ll be staying, and how they’re connected to you.
• If travelling with an adult, their name must be listed in your application, and you must arrive with them in the UK.

Depending on your situation, you might also need to show your right to be in the country you’re applying from or extra information about your financial sponsor (if someone else is funding your trip).

💱 Financial Tip: To show you can support yourself, it’s recommended to have enough for your course fees plus £1,483/month if studying in London, or £1,136/month outside London (up to 9 months). If your proof of funds is in a foreign currency, it will be converted to pounds using the OANDA rate on your application date. If your currency isn’t listed, the UK will use the monthly consular exchange rate (CER) —so check the right rate before you apply.