Do I need a short-term study visa or Tier 4 visa?
Short-term study visas are primarily for short courses of less than six months duration for example, for a short English language course or for study as part of a study abroad or exchange programme. However, it is also possible to apply for an extended short-term study visa if you are coming to study an English language course for up to 11 months.
In some cases, it may also be possible to apply for a short-term study visa if you are outside of the UK and need to come back to complete your degree course and you will be coming back to the UK for less than six months (for example, to resit exams), or if you are coming to the university for a short period as part of a degree course via distance learning.
If you are coming to the UK to study a full-time degree course at the University of Brighton then you normally will need to apply for a Tier 4 visa, unless we have advised you otherwise. If you are coming to study one of our pre-sessional courses before you start your degree course, you should also apply for a Tier 4 visa.
Short-term students are not permitted to work while they are in the UK. This includes unpaid work that is part of your course.
Short-term students cannot extend their visas or switch into another immigration category from within the UK.
Please contact us if you are unsure if you need a Tier 4 or short-term study visa.
How to apply
Find out more about how to apply on the Home Office website.
If you are non-visa national (any national who is not on the visa national list) then you can apply for leave to enter as a short-term student on arrival at the airport.
Please note that you must be absolutely clear that you are seeking leave to enter as a short-term student. If you are admitted as a standard visitor (ie. a tourist) you will not be permitted to study in the UK and the university will be unable to enrol you. In order to be granted leave to enter as a short-term student you must provide the Immigration Officer with evidence that you meet the requirements as if you were applying for the visa.
If you are coming to study an English language course that is over six months long as a short-term student you must apply for the extended short-term study visa prior to travelling, even If you are a non-visa national.
If you are a visa national you will need to apply for your short-term study visa before travelling to the UK. You do not need to do this from your country of nationality or residence; you can apply from any country where you are lawfully present.
Requirements and evidence
The university will provide you with a short-term study visa letter. To request this letter please email us.
You also need to provide evidence that you can afford to pay for your tuition fees, accommodation and other living costs while you are in the UK. There is no fixed amount of money you need to show, although as a guide, the requirements for a Tier 4 visa are that you have £1,015 for each month of your course plus your tuition fees.
For more information on the requirements and documents needed on the Home Office website.
See also information on the UKCISA website for short-term students.