What type of Visa do I need?

Most types of immigration permission allow you to study in the UK.

If your main purpose for coming to the UK is to study on a full-time course including the Pre-sessional English Programme then you should apply for a Student visa.

If your main purpose for coming to the UK is to study English language in the UK for courses lasting longer than 6 months and up to 11 months then you should apply for 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.

If you want to study in the UK

Your course length, type and place of study affects which visa to apply for:

• A Standard Visitor visa lets you do a short course of study that lasts no longer than 6 months.
• A Short-term study visa lets you come to the UK to study an English language course that is over 6 months and up to 11 months.
• A Student visa is usually for a longer course. You must be sponsored by a licensed college or university and have a confirmed place. You may be able to do some work on this visa.

If you are unsure which visa you should apply for or whether your current visa permits you to study then please contact iss@northampton.ac.uk for advice.