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This article will provide you with general visa and immigration information about student visas for international students who want to study in Scotland. The country is part of the UK, so the same rules that guide UK Student Visas will also apply.
For more clarity and to create awareness for those who are not aware of the similarity, we will be explaining the process of acquiring a visa to study in the United Kingdom.
1 What you should know about the Scotland Visa
After the UK left the EU, students from EU countries and some other European countries need to apply for the new Student route if they come to the UK after January 1, 2021, but for the others, nothing much has changed, the student visa is still required to get a permit to live and study in the United Kingdom.
There are about 3 types of visas available. The one you will be advised to obtain will depend on the duration of your course and your age. However, if your course or study period is less than 6 months, there is no need for a student visa, all you need is a UK standard visa usually made available for students who will be traveling for a short period.
2 Scotland student visa types for foreign students
There are 3 categories of student visas available for students who will be coming to study in Scotland:
Short-Term Study Visa
Scotland Short-term study visa is for students who will only be in Scotland for short-term study for English language courses, short training, or research. This period the visa is expected to last is 6 to 11 months. The cost of applying for a short-term visa is £200, and you will also need to make an additional £470 to use the health service provided in Scotland.
Child Student Visa
The tier 4 child student visa is for students between the ages of 4 and 17 who will be studying in Scotland. The cost of applying for the Child student visa is £363.
Student Visa (Former Tier 4)
Student Visa, formerly known as Tier 4 visa is the most common visa type and is available for students who are at least 16 years old and have received an offer from a recognized college or university in Scotland.
To be eligible for the Scotland student visa, you must show you have enough money for the program and can speak, read, write, and understand English. If you16 to 17 years old, permission from your parents or guardian will be needed to get the Visa. The student visa is valid for up to 5 years.
The visa is usually available for undergraduate and postgraduate students and the cost of applying for the visa is £363. You will also need to make an extra cost for Health service.
3 Documents needed to apply for a Scotland Student Visa
If you’re under 18, you need written permission from both parents or guardians (or one if they’re solely responsible) for your visa, living arrangements, and travel to the UK. Also, include a birth certificate copy showing the parents’ names.
For candidates who are at least 18 years, here are the documents for the Scotland student visa:
- A current passport or another valid travel document.
- A Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) issued by your course provider (Acceptance letter from school).
- Other documents that might also be needed are:
- A valid ATAS certificate if your course and nationality demand it.
- Evidence of sufficient funds for living expenses and course fees, which will vary based on your situation.
- Documentation establishing your relationship with your parent or guardian if you’re under 18.
- Results of your tuberculosis test.
- Written consent from your financial sponsor if you will not be funding yourself.
4 How to apply for a Scotland Student Visa
1. Apply for admission to Scotland
The first thing we would suggest you should do is to make a list of 5 good schools you are considering and make a decision on which school you would want to study. However, this will depend on the availability of the course you want to study and the location you prefer to stay.
Apply for admission into a school, but it is recommended to apply to more than one school. If accepted, you will be provided a letter of acceptance/offer which you can use to process your admission. You can also take advantage of scholarship opportunities in Scotland but this will depend on whether you are qualified or not as most scholarships are merit-based.
2. Start your student visa application
We have already established that there are 3 student visa types available for students with each having almost the same process.
To apply for the Scotland student visa, visit https://www.gov.uk/student-visa/apply to get started. Alternatively, you can also visit the UK embassy in your country to apply but there is a good chance that they will refer you to the online application since it is more convenient and faster.
5 Can I work in Scotland as a Student on a Student Visa?
Yes, all international students on student visas are allowed to work in Scotland but with few restrictions. During their studies, they will only be entitled to work for not more than 20 hours a week and full-time during holidays. The Scotland government under the administration of the UK GOV encourages students to be more focused on their primary assignment, academic pursuit.
