Studying in the United Kingdom
This section explains how you can come to the United Kingdom as a student or student visitor.
Under tier 4 of the points-based system, all students except student visitors must now apply as either an adult student or a child student.
Our quick guides contain more information on applying, and we have published detailed policy guidance for students applying on or after 31 March 2009.
If you are currently in the United Kingdom as a student under the immigration rules that were in place before 31 March 2009, these old rules still apply to you until you permission to stay runs out. See Chapter 3 of our immigration directorate instructions for more information.
If you have recently graduated and want to work in the United Kingdom, see post-study worker for information about whether you are eligible and how to apply.
Our service standards set out how quickly we aim to decide applications for living in the United Kingdom as a student under tier 4. The service standard is that we will decide 75% of applications within four weeks.
