There are many learners who wish to apply for a Scotland Student Visa. It is a norm for students to travel outside their home country to pursue their education, and if Scotland is on one’s radar, a Student visa is a required document that lets you study in a foreign country.
In this case, we are looking at How to Apply for Scotland Student Visa. Foreign students interested in studying in Scotland are required to enter the country with this document so that they can proceed to study in the country.
So, if you want to find out how to carry out the student visa process, ensure you read through to the end. These tips will help you follow the process to get a student visa for Scotland.
How To Apply For Scotland Study Visa (Step By Step Guide)
Reading this article on How to Apply for a Scotland Student Visa provides you with all the needed information to apply for a Scotland Student Visa, including a list of the documents you will need.
Also, we will highlight the steps involved in applying for a Scotland student visa.
Scotland is a country within the United Kingdom; as such, all visa applications are processed via the Embassy of the United Kingdom.
Students who are willing to school in Scotland have to apply for a Student Visa. This document allows foreign students to enter and reside in the United Kingdom for the duration of their study in an educational institution.
Importantly, since the exit of the United Kingdom from the European Union Zone, students from all other countries outside the EU will need to apply for a visa so that they can study in Scotland.
Types Of Scotland Student Visa
You might be wondering what type of student visa you need to study in Scotland. Know that the type of visa you’ll need to apply for depends on the type of course you will be studying in the country, as well as your length of stay to study in the country and your age.
Below are the different categories of student visas you can apply for. They include:
- Student Visa (Former Tier 4)
- Child Student Visa.
- Short-Term Study Visa.
#1. Student Visa (Former Tier 4)
The Student Visa was introduced to replace the Tier 4 (General) student visa. It is designed to cover the majority of international students interested in studying an undergraduate or postgraduate course in Scotland.
How Long You Can Stay In Scotland As A Student?
Your length of stay depends on the length of your course and what study you’ve already completed in the UK. Plus, if you’re 18 or over and your course is at degree level, you can usually stay in the UK for up to 5 years.
But, if your course is below degree level, you can stay in the UK for up to 2 years.
Fees And Costs of Student Study Visa In Scotland
If you are applying from outside the UK, the cost of a student study visa is £348.
#2. Child Student Visa
The child student visa is designed for students between the ages of 4 and 17 years old. So, you can apply for a Child student Visa If you want your child to come to study at an autonomous fee-paying school in the United Kingdom. This visa has substituted the Tier 4 (Child) student visa.
You will be required to show you’ll have access to enough money to support your stay in the UK and as well pay for your course. Also, you must present the consent of your parent or legal guardian to study in the UK. You’ll need to prove this during your application process.
How Long You Can Stay With Child Student Visa In Scotland?
Your length of stay in the UK largely depends on your age, the date you apply, and the length of your course. If you are under 16 years when you applied, you can stay throughout your course length (up to 6 years) plus 4 months afterward, and if you are 16 or 17 when you applied, you can stay throughout your course length (up to 3 years) plus 4 months afterward.
Fees and Costs of Child Student Study Visa
The cost to apply for a child student visa is £348 from outside the UK.
#3. Short-Term Study Visa
A short-term study visa is best if you’ll be studying a short course in the UK. Interestingly, applying for a short-term study visa has its own advantages, as you’ll have no restrictions on your ability to work or carry out any business activities in the country.
In addition, the visa was introduced for students who will be studying English language courses that last no longer than 6 months and up to 11 months.
How Long You Can Stay With Short-Term Study Visa
It may interest you to know that you will be able to stay in the UK for the length of your course. Also, you can stay for an extra 30 days as long as your stay is no longer than 11 months.
Scotland student visa cost
The cost of a short-term study visa is £186. There may be other fees associated with a student visa Scotland cost, but this is a good estimate.
How To Apply For Scotland Student Visa
Applying for a Scotland student Visa is not complex. It is done online. All you need do is follow the certain steps required of you to apply for a Scotland student visa, as discussed below.
Step 1: Gain admission
The first step is to apply for admission into an educational institution in Scotland. This will enable you to apply for a tier 4 student visa. This means you will need to make your findings and choose the school you would like to attend in Scotland. Then, you can apply to be admitted into the educational institution.
Step 2: Gather Required Documents
Once your admission status is confirmed that you have been admitted to study in a school within Scotland, you will be sent a Confirmation of Acceptance (CAS) letter.
Once you’ve acquired your CAS letter, collate all necessary documents because you will be required to submit these documents after you fill out the online visa application form and book your visa appointment.
Step 3: Fill out your Visa Application Form
Once you’ve successfully signed up on the website for the United Kingdom Immigration Service, you will then be required to fill out the visa application form. ensure you fill this form honestly and accurately to reduce your chances of being denied the student visa.
Step 4: Choose an Appointment Date and Pay the Visa Fee
Having filled out your visa application form, the next step is to the date and time for your visa appointment and pay the visa fee. This fee must be paid to complete the online visa application process otherwise the process will not be continued.
Step 5: Go to the Visa Application Center
On the scheduled appointment date, go to the visa application center in your home country with the necessary documents. It is during your appointment that you will submit your documents, your biometric data will be collected and as well you will be interviewed.
Step 6: Wait for the Results and Retrieve Your Documents
Upon the completion of your visa application process, you will be able to collect your documents or they will be sent back to you through a courier service.
However, should your visa application be denied, you may appeal this decision. But, the appeal does not in any way guarantee that your visa application will be granted.
Document Requirements for Student Visa Scotland
The document requirements for the three Scotland student visas outlined and discussed above are similar. So, you will be required to present the following during your application. They are:
- A recent passport or other valid travel documentation
- A Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies from your course provider
- Proof of financial support showing you can meet up with all expenditures, both personal and educational needs
- A valid ATAS certificate is required by your course and nationality
- Proof of parental or legal guardian consent (if you’re under 18)
- Proof of your relationship to your parent or legal guardian (if you’re under 18)
- Your tuberculosis test results
- If your study is sponsored, you will need to provide written consent for your application from your financial sponsor and living costs for the last 12 months
Scotland Student Visa Requirements
From the discussion so far, you are now conversant with the various Scotland study visa requirements that you can apply including the documents required for the application process, including the step-by-step guide to help you through the application process.
Ensure that you read through and follow the processes outlined and discussed to get a favorable outcome. These tips will help you learn how to get a student visa for Scotland in the best way possible.
