A complete guide to UK study visa 2025 for Iranian students

Studying in England is one of the most popular options for Iranian students; “Study in England” and “England study visa” are phrases that are frequently seen in Iranian online searches every year. Prestigious universities, advanced educational environment, the possibility of international interaction and employment prospects after graduation are the main reasons for this choice. In this guide for Ogo Academy, we explain step by step the path from choosing a university to entering England.

In this text, in addition to the process and documents, costs, localized tips for Iranian volunteers, common mistakes and best practices are also discussed.

Continue with the following sections.

Why studying in England is still a strong option for Iranian students

Studying in England has several advantages: the high quality of universities, the global acceptance of degrees, the possibility of international networking and post-graduation opportunities that many countries do not have. Graduates from British universities are often sought after in the global job market.
On the other hand, Iranian students have the opportunity to acquire international skills in an English-speaking environment and return with a global resume.
However, it should not be entered blindly: there are costs, visa complications, the need for careful planning and compliance with regulations. This guide will help you make a smart choice.

The role of study visa in facilitating study in England and future professional path

Having a “UK study visa” is the key to officially entering British universities and using their facilities. This visa not only allows entry, but also provides conditions for limited work while studying, the possibility of continuing to stay after graduation and connection to professional paths.
For Iranian students, this issue is especially important: with the right visa, they can take advantage of scholarships, international facilities, student work opportunities, and even networking. Therefore, it is very important to choose the route, consider visa conditions and plan carefully.

Getting to know the UK student visa route

Main visa for full-time international students (substitute Tier 4)

The UK student visa, formerly known as Tier 4 (General), is now issued under the Student Route. This visa is the main entry route for international students who intend to study full-time for a bachelor’s, master’s or doctoral degree.
Holders of this visa must be admitted to an educational institution with a sponsorship license (Licensed Sponsor). This authorization guarantees that the university or college in question is accredited by UKVI and has the right to issue “CAS” or Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies.

UK student visa has many advantages:

• residence permit during the study period and for some time after its completion;
• The possibility of working part-time (up to 20 hours per week) during the academic semester;
• Access to the National Health Service (NHS) by paying the Immigration Health Surcharge;
• The ability to extend and change the type of visa to work or research after studying.

Eligibility Requirements: Age, Type of Course and Licensed Institution

To receive this visa, the candidate must be at least 16 years old and enrolled in one of the full-time courses at a licensed institution. Acceptable courses include:

• Undergraduate and Postgraduate
• Pre-university courses (Foundation Year)
• Some English language courses with a duration of more than 11 months

Applicants must prove that they have the financial ability to pay for tuition and living expenses, and that their English language skills are at a level set by the UKVI (usually equivalent to B2 on the CEFR for university courses).
Finally, after reviewing the documents, the university issues a CAS number, which is necessary to complete the visa form on the UK government website.

How to get your university acceptance and CAS number

The first step in studying in England is to get admission from one of the universities with a Student Sponsor license. For this, you must apply through the universities official website or the UCAS system. After receiving the “Conditional Offer”, it is necessary to submit documents such as English language certificate (IELTS Academic or equivalent), academic transcripts, motivation letter (Personal Statement) and letters of recommendation.

Once you have completed all the admission requirements and paid the advance tuition, the university will issue you a CAS (Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies). This 14-digit number is actually the official confirmation of the British government, without which it is not possible to start the visa application process. The information entered in the CAS must be accurate and error-free, as any inconsistency may cause the visa application to be delayed or even rejected.

Important note: CAS validity is usually six months and can only be used for one visa application. So, be sure to check the issue date and deadline.

The right time and place to send the visa application (based on the place of residence)

If you are outside the UK, you can apply for a UK study visa up to six months before the course start date. But if you are currently in the UK (for example on a student or short-term visa), you must apply no later than three months before your current visa expires.

The visa application process is completely online through the official website of the British government. After completing the form, you must pay the case review fee and the IHS fee. Then the appointment for fingerprinting and presentation of documents is booked at one of the VFS Global centers.

Especially for Iranian applicants:
Currently, the biometric process and delivery of Iranian students’ documents is done through the VFS Global office in Ankara or Istanbul. It is recommended to book your appointment early to avoid delays. Also, payment of fees can be made through international cards or valid currency transfer services that are compatible with the embargo conditions.

Amount of financial capacity required for tuition and living expenses (2025 update)

To get a UK study visa, you must prove that you have the financial ability to pay for your tuition and living expenses. According to the latest regulations of the UK Immigration Office in 2025, the amount of financial means is divided into two parts:

1. University Tuition: The tuition amount mentioned in the CAS letter must be paid in full or at least in advance.
2. Cost of living:
   • If you are studying in London: You must have £1,348 per month in your bank account for each month of stay (up to 9 months).
   • If you are studying in other cities in the UK: you must show £1,023 per month for each month of stay (up to 9 months).

Calculation example:
A student studying at the University of Manchester (outside London) should have approximately £9,207 in their account for 9 months, plus the annual course fees (eg £18,000).

Important note: The bank account must be in the name of the applicant himself or his parents, and its balance must be maintained for at least 28 full days before the visa application date without reduction.

Cost difference in London and other UK cities

The cost of living in London is about 30-40% higher than other cities. The following table shows an average comparison:

This difference in cost has a decisive role in choosing the city of study. Many Iranian students choose cities such as Manchester, Leeds, Newcastle, Sheffield, or Nottingham instead of London for better cost management.

Special guide for Iranian students:
Due to banking restrictions and sanctions, opening an international account or transferring funds to prove financial means can be challenging. Ogo Academy can guide you in choosing legal and embassy-approved methods (such as using a parent’s account or transferring currency through authorized institutions).

After arriving in the UK: work rules, extension of stay and career paths

After receiving a study visa and entering the UK, international students are allowed to work on a limited basis while studying.
According to the new rules of 2025:

• Undergraduate and graduate students in prestigious universities can work up to 20 hours per week during the semester and full-time during public holidays.
• For short-term or language courses, work permits are not usually issued.

Working in professional sectors related to the field, such as research assistant or internship in industrial companies, is the best option to strengthen the resume.
However, it should be noted that any violation of working conditions (such as working overtime or in illegal jobs) can lead to visa cancellation.

Dependents:
From 2024, the UK government has imposed restrictions on family gatherings. Only students in master’s research and doctorate degrees are allowed to bring their spouses and children under 18 years old. Companions are allowed to work full-time, but separate financial capacity must be shown for each person.

“Graduate Route” and the impact of new reforms on the future of students

One of the most important benefits of studying in England is the possibility of staying after studying through the Graduate Route visa.
This route allows students who have successfully completed their course to remain in the UK after graduation and look for work or go directly into employment.

According to the new regulations:

• Bachelor and Master graduates can stay in the UK for up to 2 years.
• PhD graduates have a 3-year residency.
• This type of visa cannot be extended, but its holders can continue to apply for a Skilled Worker Visa.

Changes in 2025:
The British government has tightened some conditions to control immigration, including raising the minimum salary required to obtain a work visa. However, international students remain an important part of the UK’s educational development programs and the graduate pathway remains open.

Best practices and professional advice for success in the student visa process

One of the common mistakes among Iranian applicants is the late start of the application and visa procedures. While the actual process should start from 6 to 9 months before the start of the academic course.
With proper planning, you can avoid time pressure, extra costs and unnecessary stress. It is recommended to follow the following steps:

1. 9 to 12 months before the start of the course: choosing a field, checking universities, preparing documents and resume.
2. 6 to 8 months before: sending the university application and tracking the admission.
3. Up to 6 months before: payment of tuition fee in advance and receipt of CAS number.
4. 4 to 5 months before: preparation of financial and language documents.
5. 3 months before: Visa application registration and biometric appointment booking.

Note: Early planning will give you the opportunity to make corrections in case of errors in the documents or changes in the embassy’s rules.

Using valid documents and re-examining the accreditation of the educational institution

The quality and reputation of the chosen university has a direct impact on the success of the visa. Only institutions that are on the official Student Sponsor List are allowed to issue CAS. To be sure, always check the official UK government website to see if your institution is on this list.

Pay attention to the following points when preparing documents:

• All documents must be translated into official English and have a valid translation stamp.
• Issue dates, funding amount, and CAS information must match exactly.
• Any discrepancy or discrepancy—even small—can lead to rejection of the application.
• Avoid providing bank or financial documents that cannot be traced to their origin.

Iranian applicants should note that the British Embassy is not active in Iran and all processes are carried out through the offices of VFS Global in Türkiye. Selecting the biometric time, sending physical documents and receiving the passport is done through international mail. Ogo Academy can help you arrange documents, pay online and choose the right appointment time.

Common mistakes in the visa and study application process in England

One of the most common reasons for UK student visa rejection for Iranian students is the failure of financial documents. UK Immigration checks very strictly that the funds shown in the account are real, stable and traceable.
Common mistakes in this section include the following:

• Opening a new bank account less than 28 days before the visa application.
• Depositing the amount of money in several installments or from unknown sources.
• Providing a bank printout with an unofficial translation or without a translation seal.
• Showing balance in rial or dollar currency without official equivalent to pound sterling.

Professional suggestion:
It is better to complete your bank account at least two months before registering the visa application and keep the required funds in the account continuously. Any withdrawal or transfer of funds within 28 days may result in rejection of the application.

Mistake in selecting the visa type or registering the application in the wrong direction

Some applicants mistakenly believe that they can enter the UK on a tourist visa and then change the visa type to study. This is illegal and will result in permanent rejection in the immigration case.
Student Route Visa applications should only be made through the official UK government website directly with the university’s CAS details.

Other common mistakes include the following:

• Using informal institutions to file visa applications.
• Sending incomplete or typographical documents in the online form.
• Disregarding the time of CAS validity and the start date of the academic course.
• Failure to pay the “Immigration Health Surcharge” at the same time as the online form.

Any discrepancy between the translated documents and the information recorded in the visa system (eg name, date of birth or passport number) can lead to a lengthy review or final rejection. It is better to review the form carefully and with the guidance of Ogo Academy consultants before final submission.

Frequently asked questions about UK study visas

Can I bring my spouse or children to the UK with me?

From 2024, the British government has imposed restrictions on accompanying students’ family members. According to the new law, only students studying for Research Master’s or PhD are allowed to bring their spouses and children under 18 years old.
Companions must provide separate proof of financial ability:

• For each spouse or child, an amount of £680 per month (up to 9 months) must be shown in the bank account.
  If your spouse or children travel with you, they will be allowed to work and study.

If my study period is less than six months, do I need to get a student visa?

For short-term courses (less than six months), you can use a Short-Term Study Visa instead of a student visa.
This visa is designed for English language courses or short specialized courses.
But note:

• This type of visa cannot be extended.
• You will not be allowed to work or change the course of study with it.
  If your goal is to continue studying long-term, it is better to apply for a Student Route visa from the beginning.

How much is the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) and why should it be paid?

Every UK student visa applicant is required to pay an amount called Immigration Health Surcharge at the same time as they register an online application, in order to benefit from the British National Health Service (NHS) during their stay.
In 2025, this amount for students is equal to:

• £524 per year per person.
  Payment of this fee is mandatory and the visa application is not considered complete without it.

Are there new changes in UK student visa rules in 2025?

yes Some important changes have been announced in 2025:

1. Restrictions on issuance of companion visas for education-oriented master’s students.
2. An increase in the minimum balance required for financing (from £1,265 to £1,348 in London).
3. A language certificate from a UKVI approved center is required.
4. Intensification of the investigation of the origin of bank funds in countries under sanctions, including Iran.

These changes have been implemented in order to control immigration and maintain the quality of education, and Iranian applicants must prepare their documents more accurately than before. Ugo Academy provides the latest updates to the applicants.