Student Visa Extension Guide
If your course is taking longer than planned or you are progressing to a higher-level qualification, you may need to extend your Student visa. This guide covers the requirements, costs, academic progression rules, and how to apply.
- Section
- Student & Graduate
- Reading time
- 10 min
- Last checked
- 2 September 2026
- Source
- The published Immigration Rules and GOV.UK guidance, linked throughout this guide.
- Rowan does not
- Look at your own case, tell you which route to choose, or say what the Home Office will decide. This guide shows the published rules and where to read them.
In short
- Your institution must issue a new CAS for the extension.
- Apply before your current visa expires to maintain legal status.
- You must show academic progression (moving to a higher-level course) in most cases.
- The extension costs £558 plus the discounted Immigration Health Surcharge at £776 per year.
- Consider the Graduate route or Skilled Worker visa if you are finishing your studies.
You can extend your Student visa to complete your course or progress to a higher qualification. Your institution must issue a new CAS, and you must apply before your current visa expires. There are rules about academic progression and maximum study time that affect eligibility. This guide explains everything you need to know.
When Can You Extend?
You can extend your Student visa in two main scenarios:
- Completing your current course. If your course takes longer than originally planned (for example, you need to resit exams, repeat a year, or your research extends), you can apply for more time.
- Progressing to a new course. If you are moving to a higher-level qualification (for example, from a bachelor's degree to a master's degree), you can extend without leaving the UK.
In both cases, your educational institution must confirm your continued studies by issuing a new Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS).
Academic Progression Rules
The academic progression requirement is one of the most important rules for Student visa extensions. In general, your new course must be at a higher academic level than your previous course. For example:
- Foundation year to bachelor's degree: allowed
- Bachelor's degree to master's degree: allowed
- Master's degree to PhD: allowed
- Bachelor's degree to another bachelor's degree: generally not allowed
Exceptions
There are some exceptions to the progression rule:
- Resitting or repeating. If you need more time to complete your current course, you do not need to show progression — you are continuing, not starting a new course.
- Intercalating medical students. Medical and dentistry students can intercalate to a bachelor's degree during their course.
- Sponsored by the government. Students sponsored by their government or an international scholarship scheme may be exempt.
Your institution's international student team can advise on whether your specific situation qualifies.
Maximum Time Limits
There are limits on how long you can study in the UK on a Student visa:
- Below degree level: Maximum 2 years
- Degree level and above: Maximum 5 years (with some exceptions)
- PhD: Maximum 8 years
- Medicine, dentistry, veterinary science: Extended time limits apply
These limits include all time spent on Student (and the former Tier 4) visas, not just the current course. If you have been studying in the UK for several years, check that you have not reached the limit before applying to extend.
Requirements for Extension
- New CAS from your institution. Your university or college must issue a new Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies.
- Financial requirement. You must show you can cover your tuition fees and living costs. The maintenance requirement is currently £1,529 per month (London) or £1,171 per month (outside London) for up to 9 months.
- English language. If you met the English requirement for your initial visa, you generally do not need to provide new evidence for the extension (if you are continuing at the same institution).
- Academic progression (if moving to a new course).
- ATAS certificate (if your subject requires Academic Technology Approval Scheme clearance).
Costs
- Application fee: £558
- Immigration Health Surcharge: £776 per year (discounted student rate)
- Biometric enrolment: Free if using the IDV app
For example, a 1-year extension would cost approximately £1,334 (£558 + £776). A 2-year extension would cost approximately £2,110 (£558 + £1,552).
How to Apply
- Get your CAS. Contact your institution's international student team and request a new CAS.
- Complete the online application. Apply on GOV.UK.
- Pay fees. The application fee and the Immigration Health Surcharge are paid during the online process.
- Complete biometrics. Use the IDV app or book a UKVCAS appointment.
- Upload documents. Submit your CAS, financial evidence, and other supporting documents.
- Wait for a decision. You remain on Section 3C leave while the application is processed.
After Your Studies: Next Steps
Once you finish your studies, you have several options:
- Graduate route. If you complete a degree at a UK university, the Graduate route gives you 2 years (3 for PhD) to work in the UK without needing a sponsor. For applications made on or after 1 January 2027, the Graduate route lasts 18 months, and PhD graduates keep 3 years.
- Skilled Worker visa. If you find a job with a licensed sponsor, you can switch to a Skilled Worker visa from inside the UK.
- Other visa routes. Depending on your circumstances, you may qualify for other routes such as the Global Talent visa or a family visa.
Next Steps
Talk to your institution's international student team as early as possible. They can advise on academic progression, issue your CAS, and help with the application process.
Related guides:
Questions and answers
Can I extend my UK Student visa?
Yes, you can extend your Student visa if you need more time to complete your current course or you are progressing to a new course. Your institution must issue a new Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) and you must apply before your current visa expires. There are rules about academic progression that limit how long you can study in the UK.
How much does a Student visa extension cost?
The Student visa extension application fee is £558. You also pay the Immigration Health Surcharge at £776 per year (students get a discounted rate). The total depends on the length of your course. For example, a 1-year extension would cost approximately £1,334.
What is the academic progression rule?
The academic progression rule means your new course must be at a higher level than your previous course, unless there are specific exceptions. For example, you can extend to move from an undergraduate degree to a master's degree, but you generally cannot extend to do another undergraduate degree at the same level.
Can I switch from a Student visa to a work visa?
Yes. If you find a job with a licensed sponsor, you can switch from a Student visa to a Skilled Worker visa from inside the UK. Alternatively, if you complete a degree at a UK university, the Graduate route gives 2 years (or 3 years for PhD graduates) to work in the UK without a sponsor. For applications made on or after 1 January 2027, the Graduate route lasts 18 months, and stays 3 years for PhD graduates.
What if my course takes longer than expected?
If your course overruns, your institution can issue a new CAS and you can apply for an extension. You need to apply before your current visa expires. If you have already exceeded the maximum time allowed for study at your level, the extension may be refused. Speak to your university's international student team for guidance.
This guide is general information about published immigration rules. It is not advice about an individual application under s.82 Immigration and Asylum Act 1999, and Rowan is not regulated by the Immigration Advice Authority. Immigration rules change several times a year. For advice on a particular situation, contact an adviser authorised by the Immigration Advice Authority or an immigration solicitor. Always check GOV.UK for the authoritative current rules.