UK Student Visa: Complete Guide for 2026
Everything international students need to know about the UK Student Route visa — requirements, costs, timelines, and how Paideia supports your application.
What is the UK Student Route visa?
The UK Student Route is the standard visa for international students studying at a UK university. To apply, you must have a CAS (Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies) from a UKVI-licensed sponsor — UWS is fully authorised to issue this.
Who needs it?
Most international students from outside the UK and Ireland require a Student Route visa.
Financial requirements
You must show evidence of:
- Tuition fees for your first year of study
- Living costs — approximately £1,334/month in London or £1,023/month elsewhere, for 9 months
Your Paideia adviser will guide you on exactly what financial evidence UKVI requires for your application.
How Paideia supports your visa application
- Pre-application document review — we check everything before you submit
- CAS guidance — we explain your CAS letter in full
- Financial evidence guidance — exactly what UKVI requires
- Biometric appointment preparation — what to bring, what to expect
Paideia has a 99% visa success rate — built on thorough preparation and advisers who know exactly what the authorities require.