UK Student visa 2026: eligibility, dependents rule change, costs (2026)

UK Student visa rules changed sharply in January 2024 — most international students can no longer bring dependents. Here’s the 2026 reality.

Last verified: May 6, 2026.

Eligibility

CAS (Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies) from a UK Student Sponsor — issued by the university/institution
English at B2 level (B1 for below-degree). Most universities accept their internal English assessment as proof
Financial evidence: course fees + maintenance funds (see below) for 9 months held for 28+ consecutive days before application
TB test if from listed country
Genuine student requirement — credibility interview can be requested

Financial requirements 2026

London courses: £1,483/month × 9 months = £13,347
Outside London: £1,136/month × 9 months = £10,224
+ outstanding tuition fees for the first year of study
Held for 28 consecutive days, ending no more than 31 days before application
Joint accounts with parent/guardian acceptable with letter of support + relationship evidence

The 2024 dependents change (still in force 2026)

Effective Jan 1, 2024: dependents (spouse + children) can ONLY come if you’re enrolled in:

A postgraduate research course (PhD or research-based Masters)
A government-sponsored course over 6 months

Undergraduates and most taught Masters students CANNOT bring dependents. This rule excluded ~125,000 dependents who would have come under previous rules.

Working rights during studies

Up to 20 hours/week during term time (full-time during vacations)
Cannot: be self-employed, work as professional sportsperson, fill permanent full-time role
Postgraduate research: often allowed up to 20 hours alongside research

Costs 2026

Visa application: £490 (out-of-country)
IHS: £776/year × course length (e.g., 1-year MA = £776, 3-year BA = £2,328)
Biometric: £19.20
Total for 1-year Masters: ~£1,300 per student

Path forward — Graduate visa

After completing the course, switch to the Graduate visa (2 years for Bachelor’s/Masters, 3 years for PhD). Allows any work without sponsorship. Graduate visa guide.

Common refusal reasons

Financial evidence gaps — e.g., money dipped below threshold during 28-day period
CAS withdrawn by university (low attendance, missed payment)
Genuine student credibility doubt — vague answers about why this course/UK
Insufficient English evidence

The 2024 dependents change: what it really means and the carve-outs

From 1 January 2024, dependents (spouse + children) can only join you on a UK Student visa if you’re enrolled in: (1) a postgraduate research course (PhD, DPhil, or research-based MPhil/MRes), or (2) a government-sponsored course longer than 6 months (Chevening, Commonwealth, Marshall, etc.). This rule excluded approximately 125,000 dependent visas in 2024 alone.

If you started a Masters with dependents already on visa before this date, you keep them. New applications for taught Masters cannot include dependents, even if you’re married. Some students structure their planning around this: do an MRes (research-based, 1 year) instead of a taught MA so dependents qualify, or apply for a PhD program directly with intention to fund self.

Picking the right institution: track record matters

Not all UK universities are equal under Home Office sponsor compliance. Each institution has a Student Sponsor Track Record rating: Track Record (best), Provisional, or No Track Record. Track Record institutions can issue Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) faster, are less likely to have license issues, and the Home Office processes their student visas more quickly.

Russell Group + most pre-1992 universities: Track Record. Safe choice for visa processing.
Most post-1992 universities + colleges of higher education: Track Record after first cohort.
Newer private providers + smaller institutions: Provisional or No Track Record. Higher refusal rate; visa scrutiny more intense.
Compliance failure history: check gov.uk for any institution’s historical compliance issues. Some universities have had license suspensions in past 5 years.

Financial evidence: the trap that catches most students

The 28-day rule says funds must be in your bank account for 28 consecutive days, ending no more than 31 days before your application. Three common ways this breaks:

Funds dipped below threshold: if your balance went below the required amount even for one day, the 28-day clock resets. This is the #1 visa refusal reason for students.
Wrong account holder: funds must be in your name, your parent/guardian’s name (with declaration of support), or jointly. Funds in a friend’s account or family member who isn’t parent/guardian don’t qualify.
Recent transfers: if a parent transferred £15,000 to your account 5 days before applying, the 28-day clock starts from the transfer date, not the original holding date in their account. Plan transfers 60+ days ahead.

The maintenance amount in 2026: £1,483/month for London courses, £1,136/month for outside London, multiplied by up to 9 months of course duration (regardless of actual length). For a 12-month London Masters: £13,347 maintenance + outstanding tuition fees.

What you can do during the visa

Work up to 20 hours/week during term time at any role (with restrictions on self-employment, professional sport, or filling permanent full-time roles)
Full-time during vacations (Christmas, Easter, summer breaks)
Postgraduate research (PhD/DPhil) students: typically allowed up to 20 hours alongside research, though check with your supervisor as some funded positions restrict outside work
Cannot: be self-employed (limited exceptions for postgraduate students), engage in business activities, fill a permanent full-time role, work as a doctor or dentist in training (separate visa needed)

Healthcare during your studies

Student visa holders pay IHS at the discounted student rate of £776/year (vs. £1,035 standard). This gives you full NHS access from day one of arrival. Register with a GP within the first month using your accommodation address (university accommodation, private rental, or homestay).

NHS dental and optical care are not free for adult students — expect to pay NHS charges (~£25 for a check-up, more for treatment) or use student union discount schemes. Mental health support is available through university counselling services + NHS, but waiting times are 4–12 weeks for non-urgent care.

Switching from Student to other UK routes

The Student visa is one of the easier visas to switch from inside the UK. Common paths:

Student → Graduate visa: apply within 90 days of course completion. 2 years post-study work (3 years for PhD). No employer sponsorship needed. Full Graduate visa guide.
Student → Skilled Worker: if you have a job offer with sponsorship and meet the salary threshold (£38,700 or new entrant rate £30,960). Switch from inside UK; no need to leave.
Student → Spouse: if you marry/civil partner a British or settled person. Switch in-country; income evidence rules still apply.
Student → Innovator Founder: if you have an endorsable business idea + endorsement from approved body.
Student → Global Talent: if you can secure endorsement from a Home Office-approved body in your field.

Working in the UK after graduation: the salary reality

Average graduate salaries by sector for 2026 entrants:

Investment banking / consulting (London): £55,000–£75,000 + bonus
Tech (London): £45,000–£65,000
Tech (Manchester/Edinburgh): £35,000–£48,000
Engineering: £30,000–£42,000
Healthcare (NHS, doctor): £36,500 (FY1 starting salary 2026)
Marketing / PR: £28,000–£35,000
Teaching (state school): £31,650 (London) / £30,000 (England outside London)

For Skilled Worker visa qualification, the £38,700 threshold means many marketing, teaching, and lower-paid graduate roles don’t qualify directly. The “new entrant” rate of £30,960 helps for under-26s and recent graduates — this expires once you’re 26 or 4 years past graduation, whichever is sooner.

Cost of UK study: full breakdown 2026

Tuition fees (international rates)

Russell Group humanities/social science Masters: £25,000–£38,000
Russell Group STEM Masters: £28,000–£42,000
Oxbridge Masters: £29,000–£55,000+
MBA at top schools (LBS, Said, Judge): £75,000–£115,000
Bachelor’s degree (3-year): £19,000–£38,000/year
PhD (3–4 years): £19,000–£30,000/year (often funded for STEM)

Living costs (per year, mid-range student lifestyle)

London: £15,000–£22,000
Edinburgh, Bristol, Brighton: £12,000–£16,000
Manchester, Leeds, Birmingham: £9,500–£13,000
Smaller university towns (Norwich, Lincoln, Loughborough): £8,000–£11,000

Visa-related fees

Visa application: £490
IHS at student rate: £776 × course years
Biometric: £19.20
TB test (from listed countries): £65–£120

FAQ

Can I take a gap year mid-course?

Universities allow intermission (interrupting studies) for medical or compelling personal reasons. Your visa requires you to be actively studying, so an unauthorised gap will breach conditions. Get formal intermission approval from your university and notify Home Office.

What if I fail or repeat a year?

Your CAS is for the original course timeline. Repeating a year usually requires a new visa with extended dates — speak to your university’s international office immediately if you’re at risk of repeating.

Can I work as a freelancer or set up a side business?

Self-employment is restricted on Student visa. You cannot register as a sole trader for general business, but specific exceptions exist for postgraduate students doing research-related consulting. Check with UKCISA before any self-employed work.

Will I get British citizenship after my degree?

No. Student visa time alone does NOT count toward ILR or citizenship. The Graduate visa also does not count. Only Skilled Worker, Spouse, or other settlement-eligible visas count toward the 5-year ILR clock.

Accommodation: where international students actually live

The university accommodation lottery is the single biggest stressor for new international students. Key facts: most universities prioritise first-year undergraduates for halls; Masters and PhD students often have to find private accommodation. Major cities have very different markets:

London: private student halls (Unite, IQ, Vita) cost £250–£450/week. University halls (UCL, KCL, LSE) cost £200–£380/week, but limited supply
Edinburgh, Bristol, Manchester: £160–£280/week for private student halls
Smaller university towns: £120–£200/week
HMO (House in Multiple Occupation): shared house with 4–6 other students. Cheaper (£500–£900/month per room) but require 6–12 month lease commitment

Apply for accommodation as soon as you accept your university offer — some places have waiting lists by March for September starts. Universities often guarantee accommodation only if you apply by a deadline (typically June 30).

Universities by international student size and reputation 2026

Top UK universities for international student numbers (2024 data, similar in 2026):

University College London (UCL): ~22,000 international students, exceptionally diverse
University of Manchester: ~16,000 international
King’s College London: ~14,000 international, strong in law/medicine
University of Edinburgh: ~13,500 international, generous postgraduate funding
University of Cambridge / Oxford: <25% international undergrad; international entry primarily through Masters/PhDs

Common Student visa mistakes that delay or refuse applications

These five errors account for ~70% of Student visa refusals (UKVI 2024 data):

Maintenance funds dipped below threshold: a single day below counts. Set up a separate dedicated savings account with the exact amount, untouched for 28+ days
Funds in non-qualifying account: stocks/investment accounts, mobile money apps, cryptocurrency wallets don’t count. Must be regulated bank or building society
CAS issued but not used in time: CAS is valid for 6 months. If you don’t apply within that window, your university must reissue it
Genuine student credibility doubt: course choice doesn’t fit prior education or career, or you can’t articulate why you chose this specific course/UK. Practice answers to: why this course, why this university, why the UK, what’s the post-study plan
Insufficient English proof: universities accept their own English assessment, but for visa purposes you need either a SELT-approved test (IELTS UKVI, Trinity, LanguageCert) at B2 or a degree taught in English in a majority-English country

Working during studies: practical reality and pay scales

UK student work pays well by global standards but isn’t enough alone to cover London living costs. Realistic numbers for 2026:

University library / shop / admin (term-time, 12–15 hrs/wk): £11.50–£14/hour
Bartending / hospitality (London, evenings + weekends): £12–£16/hour + tips
Retail (Saturday + holidays): £11–£13/hour
Tutoring (1-2-1 or online): £25–£55/hour for STEM, less for general
Tech internships (summer): £28,000–£55,000 pro-rata for major firms

Realistic monthly take-home from term-time work: £500–£800 (after tax + NI). Combined with full-time vacation work (4 months/year at £1,800/month): ~£13,000/year. This covers food and transport but not rent — you still need maintenance funds for accommodation.