UK international student visa guide
Most international students who want to study at Newcastle University International Study Centre will need a UK Student visa. This page explains who needs a visa, how to apply, how much it costs and how long it takes.
Students have access to a wide range of UK visa support – and benefit from a high UK visa success rate of 99%.
Visa guide summary
When to apply: up to 6 months before your programme start date, once you receive your CAS.
Processing time: typically 1-4 weeks after your biometrics appointment.
Key requirements: evidence of your ability to pay tuition fees, living costs and visa fees.
Typical steps and timeline
6 months before programme start date: receive CAS, prepare documents.
3-6 months before programme start date: submit visa application, pay Immigration Health Surcharge, attend biometrics appointment.
1-4 weeks after biometrics appointment: receive visa decision.
Before arrival: set up your eVisa, book travel and accommodation.
Visa support for international students
The International Study Centre provides:
step-by-step visa guidance
application support
FAQs and resources
dedicated contact for individual queries.
Secure your visa in 6 simple steps
Frequently asked questions
Most international students require a UK Student visa if:
their course lasts longer than 6 months
they are studying full time in the UK.
Some students may not need a visa if:
they are a non-visa national studying for less than 6 months
they already have permission to stay in the UK without time limits.
It costs £524 to apply for a UK Student visa (increasing to £558 from 08 April 2026). If you need to pay the Immigration Health Surcharge, this usually costs £776 per year for international students.
When applying for a UK Student visa, international students are required to provide several documents to support their application.
You will usually need:
a valid passport with at least one page that is blank on both sides (for visa printing purposes)
your CAS (Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies)
proof of funds (tuition and living costs)
tuberculosis test results (if required)
parental consent (if under 18).
You may need additional documents depending on your situation. It is recommended that you submit all documents as soon as possible to avoid delays or a refusal.
You can apply between 3 and 6 months before your programme starts, once you receive your CAS. Applying early is recommended to avoid delays.
A Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) is a document issued by your university that you need to apply for a UK Student visa.
Yes, but it depends on your course level:
below degree level: up to 10 hours/week
degree level: up to 20 hours/week
outside term time: full-time work allowed.
Students on short-term or visitor visas usually cannot work.
An eVisa is a digital record of your UK immigration status, replacing physical visa documents like BRPs.
Before travelling, you should:
create a UKVI account
link your passport
check your visa details are correct
generate a share code if needed.
All information is correct at the time of writing, but please check the UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) website for the most up-to-date information.