UK Short-term Study Visa Checklist
The UK Short-term study visa is for an English language course in the UK. To apply, the course must last longer than 6 months but not more than 11 months. This checklist sets out who qualifies, how course length routes you to a different visa, what it costs and what you cannot do. Based on the official gov.uk guidance.
Three quick facts
- Course window. The English language course must last longer than 6 months but not more than 11 months.
- Fee. It costs £228, plus the healthcare surcharge, which usually costs £776.
- Stay. You can stay for the length of your course plus an extra 30 days, up to a maximum of 11 months.
What to prepare
| Course length check | The course must last longer than 6 months but not more than 11 months. Shorter courses use the Visitor visa; longer courses use the Student visa. |
| Accredited institution | Your English language course must be with an accredited institution — an accredited UK institution, or an eligible overseas provider if you study in the UK as part of an overseas course. |
| Passport and online application | Apply online; the application must be completed before you travel. |
| Healthcare surcharge | Paid as part of the online application; it usually costs £776. |
| Documents list | The published gov.uk pages for this visa do not list a separate documents checklist, so it is not published, so not asserted here — the online application sets what is required. |
Course length decides which visa you need
| 6 months or shorter | You need to apply for a Visitor visa. |
| Longer than 6 months, not more than 11 months | You may be eligible for the Short-term study visa. |
| Longer than 11 months | You need to apply for a Student visa. |
Accredited institution requirement
Your course must be with an ‘accredited institution’. That can be an accredited UK institution or an eligible overseas provider if you are studying in the UK as part of an overseas course. An accredited UK institution must either have a student sponsor licence, or have a valid accreditation and be listed by one of the following:
- Accreditation Service for International Colleges (ASIC)
- Accreditation UK
- British Accreditation Council (BAC)
- Education and Training Inspectorate (in Northern Ireland)
- Estyn (in Wales)
- Education Scotland
- Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI)
- Office for Standards in Education (Ofsted)
- Office for Students
- Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education (QAA)
An eligible overseas provider institution must hold its own national accreditation, offer no more than half of its educational programme in the UK, and offer programmes equivalent to a UK degree.
What you cannot do
- Study on any other course, or change your course, while in the UK.
- Study at a state-funded school.
- Work or carry out any business — this includes paid or unpaid work, work experience and work placements.
- Extend this visa.
- Bring family members (‘dependants’) with you on this visa.
- Apply for most benefits (public funds) or the State Pension.
Photos and related checklists
Check the destination photo standard with the UK passport photo guide and the passport photo checker, and compare sizes on the photo size chart. For other destinations, see the Schengen visa documents checklist, the Germany visa documents checklist, or follow the guide to taking a passport photo at home.
Frequently asked questions
Who can apply for a UK Short-term study visa?
You may be eligible if you are taking an English language course in the UK. To apply, your course must last longer than 6 months but not more than 11 months.
What if my course is shorter or longer?
If your course lasts 6 months or shorter you need a Visitor visa. If it lasts longer than 11 months you need a Student visa.
How much does the Short-term study visa cost?
It costs £228 for a Short-term study visa. You also pay the healthcare surcharge as part of your online application, which usually costs £776.
How long can I stay in the UK?
You can stay for the length of your course plus an extra 30 days, as long as your stay is no longer than 11 months.
Can I work on a Short-term study visa?
No. You cannot work or carry out any business, which includes paid or unpaid work, work experience or work placements.
Can I extend the visa or bring family?
No. You cannot extend this visa and you cannot bring family members (dependants) with you on this visa.
Sources: UK Government (gov.uk), Study English in the UK (Short-term study visa) — gov.uk/visa-to-study-english and its ‘your course’ page, retrieved 2026-09-28. Fees, the healthcare surcharge and rules change, so confirm the current position at gov.uk before you apply.