What is a Short-Term Study visa?

A Short-Term Study visa allows you to study in the UK for up to 6 months (or up to 11 months for an English language course). It is separate from the full Student visa and has fewer requirements but also fewer rights.

Can I work on a Short-Term Study visa?

No. You cannot work on a Short-Term Study visa. This includes paid and unpaid work, internships, and work placements. If you need to work while studying, you need a full Student visa.

How much does a Short-Term Study visa cost?

A 6-month Short-Term Study visa costs £115 (the same as a Standard Visitor Visa). An 11-month English language study visa costs £200. You do not pay the Immigration Health Surcharge.

Can I extend a Short-Term Study visa?

No. A Short-Term Study visa cannot be extended. You cannot switch to a full Student visa or any other visa from inside the UK. You must leave the UK when your visa expires.

Short-Term Study Visa UK Guide 2026

The Short-Term Study visa is for courses up to 6 months (or 11 months for English language courses). It is cheaper and simpler than the full Student visa but has significant restrictions — no work, no extensions, and no switching. This guide explains when to use it and when the full Student visa is better.

When to Use a Short-Term Study Visa

The Short-Term Study visa is designed for people who want to:

Take a short course (up to 6 months) at a UK institution
Study English in the UK for up to 11 months
Attend a research programme, conference-related study, or training (up to 6 months)

If your course is longer than 6 months (or 11 months for English language) or you want to work while studying, you need a full Student visa.

Requirements

Acceptance on a course. You need a letter from your UK institution confirming your acceptance on the course, the course name, dates, and cost.
Financial evidence. You must show you can pay for your course and support yourself without working. Bank statements from the last 3-6 months are typically expected.
Intention to leave. You must prove you will leave the UK when your course finishes. Evidence of ties to your home country (job, property, family) helps.
TB test. Required if you are from a listed country and applying for the 11-month visa.

Unlike the full Student visa, you do not need a CAS, do not need a SELT English language test, and do not need to meet specific maintenance thresholds.

Costs

6-month Short-Term Study visa: £115
11-month English language visa: £200

You do not pay the Immigration Health Surcharge. This makes the Short-Term Study visa significantly cheaper than a full Student visa. See our visa fees guide for a comparison.

Restrictions

The Short-Term Study visa has several important restrictions:

No work. You cannot work in any capacity, including volunteering in a work-like role.
No extension. The visa cannot be extended. You must leave when it expires.
No switching. You cannot switch to another visa category from inside the UK. If you want to continue studying, you must return home and apply for a full Student visa.
No dependants. You cannot bring family members on this visa.
No NHS access through IHS. You do not pay IHS, so you are not covered by the NHS in the same way as full Student visa holders. Consider travel insurance.

Short-Term Study vs Full Student Visa

Cost: Short-Term Study is much cheaper (no IHS, lower application fee).
Flexibility: Full Student visa allows work, extension, switching, and dependants.
Process: Short-Term Study is simpler (no CAS, no SELT, no specific maintenance thresholds).
Duration: Short-Term Study is capped at 6 or 11 months. Full Student visa covers the course duration.

If you are studying a degree or any course over 6 months (other than English language), you need the full Student visa. For more on document preparation, see our documents checklist.

How to Apply

Complete the online application on GOV.UK.
Pay the visa fee (£115 or £200).
Book and attend a biometric appointment.
Submit your documents (acceptance letter, financial evidence, travel plans).
Wait for a decision (usually 3 weeks).

Next Steps

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