International student support

Eligibility requirements

You can apply/extend a Student visa from inside the UK if you meet UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) requirements.

In general, you must:

Hold a valid visa
You must currently hold a visa that allows you to apply from inside the UK. Some visa types (such as Visitor visas) do not allow switching to a Student visa.

Have a valid CAS
You will need a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) from the University of Glasgow for your new course.

Meet academic progression requirements
If you are applying to study a new course, you must normally show academic progress, or this must be confirmed in your CAS.

Apply at the right time
Your new course must start before your current visa expires, or within 28 days of its expiry.

Meet financial requirements
You must show you have enough money to pay any outstanding tuition fees and cover your living costs, unless you are exempt.

Students who have been living in the UK with valid immigration permission for 12 months or more may not need to provide financial evidence.

For full details on documents and financial requirements, see the 'Documents and CAS' section below. 

When to apply

You can apply for a Student visa once you have received your CAS for your new course.

If you are applying from inside the UK, you must submit your application before your current visa expires. The date you submit your online application is your official date of application.

Applying before your visa expires is known as making an 'in-time' application.

If you apply in time:

• you can stay in the UK lawfully while your application is being processed
• you can start or continue your studies (in most cases)

You do not need to receive your new visa before your course starts, but you must provide proof of your application to the Immigration Compliance Team.

If you apply late:
If you apply after your visa has expired, you will be considered an overstayer. This can affect your ability to study or work in the UK.

1. Complete your application

Apply online using the UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) Student visa application form. You will need information from your CAS and your supporting documents to complete the form.

2. Pay the required fees

You will need to pay:

The visa application fee: £524 (£558 from 8 April 2026)

The Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS): £776 per year 

You may be able to pay extra for a faster decision.

3. Submit your documents

Follow the UKVI instructions to upload your supporting documents to your online account, or bring them to your biometric appointment as required

4. Meet the financial requirement

You must demonstrate you have enough money to cover your tuition fees and living costs, unless you are exempt (e.g. you’ve been living in the UK for 12+ months on a valid visa).

5. Use the UK ID Check App

If you use this app, then you will normally not need to attend an appointment, and instead you can complete the application using your phone/device. If you do not use the app, you will prompted to make an appointment to enrol your biometric information information (fingerprints and photo) at a UKVCAS Visa application centre in the UK.

6. Receive your decision

You will be contacted by UKVI once a decision has been made.

If your application is successful, check all details are correct. If not report the error to UKVI.

Keep a copy of the email stating that your visa was successful.

Your CAS

You must have a valid CAS (Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies) for your current or new course.

• Check all details are correct before applying.
• Contact Admissions if any information needs updating.
• Your CAS must include an academic progression statement if required.

Prepare your documents

Have your supporting documents ready before submitting your application. Documents must meet UKVI requirements.

Common documents you will usually need:

• Current passport
• Current visa (BRP, visa sticker, or digital status)
• CAS and any receipts for tuition paid after it was issued
• Academic progression evidence if applying for a new course
• ATAS certificate, if required
• Documents for applicants under 18

Financial evidence

You must show you have enough money to cover:

• Unpaid tuition fees (you can deduct any fees you have already paid to the University that are already shown on your CAS)
• Living costs (£1,171 per month, up to 9 months (for example if your programme is 9 months or longer in duration, you must have at least £10,539 to cover your living costs.

Ensure that you read the UKVI guidance here to learn more about the financial requirement: Financial evidence for Student and Child Student visa applicants

Exemption:
If you’ve been living in the UK on a valid visa for 12 months or more, you may not need to provide financial evidence.

If you are relying on a parent, guardian, or official financial sponsor:

• Proof of relationship and a letter of consent (for parents/guardians)
• Official sponsor letter confirming tuition fees and living costs

Translations and currency conversion

Non-English documents must be translated by a certified translator.

If you use a bank account in a currency other than GBP, UKVI will convert the currency using Oanda. The currency conversion will be dated to the date of your visa application (this is the date that you submitted it online and paid the application fee and IHS).

Please see the information on (Student) Dependants here.

You do not receive a physical visa document after your visa is approved. Instead, you will receive an eVisa.

When you receive the email confirming that your visa application was successful, read it carefully. It will show instructions on how to log in to, check and prove your student visa status. You will need to use this account to generate a share code to show us your eVisa. You will also need to show your eVisa any time you travel in and out the UK, and to show to your employer if you work during your studies.

Reporting Errors with Your eVisa

If you notice an error (for example, in your name, visa duration or anything else on your eVisa, report it immediately using the UKVI's form. Errors are usually corrected by UKVI free of charge.

Student Visa conditions

For detailed information on your visa conditions, including work and study rules, refer to the Appendix Student under "Period and conditions of grant for a Student".

Make sure to also check the Immigration Compliance Team webpages for your responsibilities as a Student Visa holder, including attendance and engagement requirements to keep your visa valid. 

This also covers when you need permission from your School Office / Graduate School for any absences or time spent outside the UK during term time, as it can impact your visa status.

Changes to your studies, such as course adjustments, may affect your visa's validity or require a new application. Visit our webpages for common scenarios.

For more information on working during or after your studies on a Student visa, see the International student support webpages.