The Tier 4 (General) category only permits full-time study at an education institution which is the holder of a Tier 4 sponsor licence.  You can find out the further requirements under Tier 4 in the UKBA Tier 4 Policy Guidance.

You can apply in a number of ways, for example, by post, by courier, in person and online. Staff at the visa application centres will tell you about the ways in which you can apply.  To find out if it is possible to apply online in your home country, please visit the UKBA website.  You should apply for a Tier 4 (General) visa in the country of which you are a national or where you legally live. 

To apply for a Tier 4 (General) visa you will now have to apply using the VAF 9 form and Appendix 8.  You must complete both forms.  Further information about this category can be found on the UKBA website. 

Most people obtaining a visa to travel to the UK will now need to provide biometric information, including fingerprints, and have a digital photograph taken.  You will need to go to your nearest visa application centre in person to do this.  Please refer to UKBA for full information - you can find more information on biometrics once you have entered your country into the 'country finder' page

In some countries, if you are applying for a visa to stay in the UK for more than 6 months, you may need to be tested for active tuberculosis before your application can be accepted. You can find out if you need to be tested by looking at the 'tuberculosis testing' page of the UKBA website once you have entered your country into the 'country finder' page.

You may find this UKBA Guide to Supporting Documents useful in your preparations.  There is also a useful guide available on the UKCISA website.  Common documents required to apply for a Tier 4 (General) visa are:

• Your passport or travel document
• The application fee: This cannot be refunded and you must normally pay it in the local currency of the country where you are applying.
• 1 recent passport-sized (45mm x 35mm) colour photograph of yourself meeting the UKBA guidelines
• ATAS certificate: If you are a non-EU/EEA national and you plan to undertake postgraduate study in the UK in certain science, technology or engineering subjects you may need to obtain an ATAS certificate before you apply for Entry Clearance to come to the UK.  Also, if you are already in the UK and are studying one of the relevant subjects you must obtain an ATAS certificate before you can apply for an extension to your student visa in the UK.  You must apply for the ATAS certificate before making an application by completing the ATAS online application form at least 8 weeks before you plan to make an application for Entry Clearance or an extension to your student visa.  Only those studying the subjects on the ATAS list are required to provide this certificate.  For a list of courses which require ATAS please see the Foreign and Commonwealth Office website.
• Supporting documents relevant to your application including:
  - the CAS which will come from the University
  - the original documents stated in the 'evidence used to obtain the offer' section of your CAS
  - financial documents to show evidence of how you will fund your studies and living costs in the UK

Certain nationals who are applying for Tier 4 entry clearance in their country of nationality do not need to provide evidence of their finances or their qualifications used to obtain their offer with their visa application.  The UKBA term for these regulations are the 'differentiation arrangements' which apply to 'low risk students' only.  You are a low risk student if:

• you are applying to study at a Highly Trusted Sponsor (University of Glasgow is a highly-trusted sponsor) AND
• you are a national of any country listed in paragraph 11 of the current Tier 4 Policy Guidance AND
• you are applying for entry clearance in your country of nationality

However, you must ensure that you collect the documents, even if you do not need to submit them with your application because UKBA have the right to request your documents at any time and you must complete a declaration stating that you have the required documents and will provide them if requested by UKBA.

When you get your visa please check it to ensure that your personal details are correct, the type of visa granted is correct and that it is valid for the date on which you want to travel and for the correct duration.

If you are coming to the UK to study on a course for less than 6 months, it may be possible for you to apply for a Student Visitor visa.  Further information on this category of visa can be found at the UKBA website.

Remember that a Student Visitor visa:

• does not permit employment - paid or unpaid
• does not permit work placements
• has a maximum duration of 6 months
• cannot be extended
• does not permit 'switching' into another visa category from within the UK

To apply for a Student Visitor visa, you will have to apply using the VAF1D application form.

You can check the UKBA website for information and a UKBA Guide to Supporting Documents.  There is also a useful UKCISA guide on Making an Application as a Student Visitor.

Common documents required for a Student Visitor application are:

• Your passport or travel document
• The application fee: This cannot be refunded and you must normally pay it in the local currency of the country where you are applying.
• 1 recent passport-sized (45mm x 35mm) colour photograph of yourself meeting the UKBA guidelines
• Letter from university with details of your unconditional offer
• Financial evidence showing how you will fund your studies and stay in the UK
• Other supporting documents relevant to your application

When you get your visa please check it to ensure that your personal details are correct, the type of visa granted is correct and that it is valid for the date on which you want to travel and for the correct duration.