How much does a UK Student Visa cost in total?

The visa application fee is 490 GBP. The Immigration Health Surcharge is 776 GBP per year. For a 3-year undergraduate course, the total upfront cost is approximately 2,818 GBP (490 plus 2,328 IHS). Add the English language test (150-250 GBP), TB test (50-100 GBP equivalent), and any document costs for a total of around 3,000-3,200 GBP before tuition fees and living costs.

Do I pay the Immigration Health Surcharge upfront?

Yes. The full IHS amount for the duration of your visa must be paid upfront at the time of your application. For a 3-year course, that is approximately 2,328 GBP. For a 1-year master's course with the wrap-up period, it is approximately 1,164 GBP. This is in addition to the visa application fee.

Can I get a refund on the IHS if I leave the UK early?

Yes. If you leave the UK before your visa expires and your visa is cancelled or curtailed, you can apply for a partial IHS refund for the unused period. The refund process is handled through GOV.UK and can take several months.

Are there any hidden costs I should budget for?

Common costs that students overlook include document translation and certification (100-300 GBP), VFS premium services (50-250 GBP if used), a new passport if yours is expiring (varies by country), and the BRP collection fee (19.20 GBP, included in the visa fee). Also budget for accommodation deposits, which are typically due before you arrive.

UK Student Visa Cost 2026: Full Breakdown

The UK Student Visa involves several separate costs: the visa application fee (490 GBP), the Immigration Health Surcharge (776 GBP per year), English language testing (150-250 GBP), TB testing if required (50-100 GBP), and potentially document translation and VFS premium services. The total upfront cost before tuition and living expenses can easily exceed 3,000 GBP for a 3-year course.

Visa Application Fee

The Student visa application fee is 490 GBP whether you are applying from outside the UK or extending from inside the UK. This fee is non-refundable, even if your application is refused.

The fee is paid online as part of the application process. You pay in GBP, and your bank will convert from your local currency at their exchange rate.

Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS)

The Immigration Health Surcharge gives you access to the NHS during your stay. For Student visa holders, the rate is 776 GBP per year (a discounted rate compared to the standard 1,035 GBP). You pay for the full duration of your visa upfront.

1-year master's course: Approximately 1,164 GBP (the visa includes a wrap-up period, so you pay for more than 12 months)
3-year undergraduate: Approximately 2,328 GBP
4-year undergraduate: Approximately 3,492 GBP

The IHS is calculated based on the length of your visa, not just your course. Since your visa includes extra months at the start and end, the IHS covers these too.

Financial Evidence

You must prove you have enough money for course fees and living costs. This is not a fee you pay to anyone; it is a balance you must hold in your bank account for at least 28 consecutive days:

Course fees: The amount shown on your CAS, minus any deposits already paid
Living costs (London): 1,334 GBP per month for up to 9 months = 12,006 GBP
Living costs (outside London): 1,023 GBP per month for up to 9 months = 9,207 GBP

If you are applying from a country with a different currency, the Home Office converts at the exchange rate on the day of your application. See our guides for Bangladesh and China for country-specific financial advice.

English Language Test

The cost of an approved English language test varies by test and location:

IELTS for UKVI: Approximately 200-250 GBP equivalent
PTE Academic UKVI: Approximately 170-220 GBP equivalent
LanguageCert: Approximately 150-200 GBP equivalent

If your university assesses your English directly (for example, through their own test or your academic qualifications), you may not need to take a separate SELT test. Check your CAS.

TB Test

If you are applying from a country on the UK's TB testing list, you must get a chest X-ray at an approved clinic. The cost varies by country but is typically 50-100 GBP equivalent. Not all countries require this test, so check whether yours does.

Other Costs

Document translation: If your documents are not in English, certified translations cost 20-50 GBP per document. See our translation guide.
VFS premium services: Priority processing, document scanning, and courier services cost 50-250 GBP depending on the service and location.
Travel to the visa application centre: If you do not live near a VFS centre, factor in travel and accommodation costs.
New passport: If your passport is expiring soon, you may need to renew it before applying. Costs vary by country.

Total Cost Summary

For a 3-year undergraduate course outside London:

Visa fee: 490 GBP
IHS: 2,328 GBP
English test: 200 GBP (approximate)
TB test: 75 GBP (approximate, if required)
Translations: 100 GBP (approximate)
Total: approximately 3,193 GBP

This is before tuition fees (typically 12,000-38,000 GBP per year for international students) and living costs. For a complete picture of immigration costs across all routes, see our complete UK visa fees guide and our immigration budgeting guide.

Related Guides

For official fee information, see the GOV.UK Student visa page and the Immigration Health Surcharge page.