What it costs and how to apply

• £15,000–£29,000Tuition

  International fees are set per course and academic year.

  More detail

  Pathway programmes in this guide cost about £15,000–£29,000; taught master’s degrees from about £18,700 in London partner centres to £25,000–£35,000 at research universities. Fees rise each academic year.

• £1,570 a monthLiving costs for the visa

  For applications made from 30 November 2026 you show £1,570 a month in London or £1,203 a month elsewhere, for up to 9 months (£14,130 or £10,827), held for 28 days in a row with the 28-day period ending within 31 days of your application.

  More detail

  Applications before that date use £1,529 and £1,171.

• £558Visa fee and healthcare surcharge

  £558 to apply for a Student visa from outside the UK, plus the Immigration Health Surcharge of £776 a year for students, paid up front for the whole visa length: about £1,164 for a one-year master’s (the visa runs about 17 months) and £2,716 for a three-year bachelor’s.

  More detail

  It gives you free NHS treatment.

• Deposits

  Most universities and colleges ask for a tuition deposit before they issue the CAS (Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies) that you need for the visa.

  More detail

  Deposits are usually counted against your first-year fee.

• £600–£1,000 a monthAccommodation

  University halls or pathway-college residences cost about £600–£1,000 a month outside London and more in London; many are bills-included.

• Family

  Only postgraduate research (PhD-level) students and government-sponsored students can bring a partner or children on a Student visa for courses starting from 1 January 2024.

  More detail

  Taught master’s students cannot.

Your journey with MultiPath in 7 steps

1. PlanFree consultation

   We look at your results, English level, subject, budget and city preferences, and map the routes open to you: direct entry or a pathway.

2. PlanChoose and apply

   We prepare your application and send it to the university, college or provider through our partner channels. No fee is paid to apply.

3. ApplyOffer

   Conditional offers list what you still need (final results, English test). Meet the conditions and the offer becomes unconditional.

4. ApplyDeposit and CAS

   Pay the tuition deposit; the institution issues your CAS number, which you need for the visa.

5. ApplyVisa application

   Apply online from the country you live in, up to 6 months before your course starts; pay the £558 fee and the £776-a-year healthcare surcharge, give biometrics and show your funds.Decisions usually take 3 weeks; a priority service costs extra.

6. GoTravel and arrival

   Book accommodation and airport pick-up. You can arrive up to 1 month before a course that lasts more than 6 months.

7. GoEnrol and settle in

   Orientation week, enrolment, your eVisa (linked to your UKVI account; there are no longer paper residence permits), a UK bank account and your first classes.

Student visa essentials (GOV.UK, checked 23 October 2026)

• Who applies

  Students aged 16 or over with an unconditional offer and a CAS from a licensed student sponsor (every university and pathway college in this guide).

• When

  Up to 6 months before the course starts. Decisions usually take about 3 weeks from outside the UK; a priority service may be available for a fee.

• Fee

  £558 per applicant, plus the Immigration Health Surcharge at the student rate of £776 a year for the whole visa period (a 12-month master’s is charged as 1.5 years, about £1,164).

• Money to show

  First-year tuition still unpaid, plus living costs for up to 9 months: £1,570 a month in London or £1,203 elsewhere for applications from 30 November 2026 (£1,529 / £1,171 before that), held for 28 consecutive days ending within 31 days of the application.

• English

  Degree-level courses: CEFR B2, assessed by the university (typically IELTS 6.0–6.5 or an accepted alternative). Below degree level (International Foundation Year, pre-sessional): CEFR B1 proven with a Home Office-approved Secure English Language Test such as IELTS for UKVI, LanguageCert SELT, PTE Academic UKVI or Skills for English UKVI.

• Work

  Degree-level students at a higher-education provider with a track record of compliance: up to 20 hours a week in term time; below degree level 10 hours; full time in vacations. No self-employment or professional sport.

• Family

  Dependants only for postgraduate research (PhD-level) students and government-sponsored students; £845 (London) or £680 (elsewhere) a month per dependant.

• After graduation

  Graduate visa: 2 years if you apply by 31 December 2026, 18 months if you apply from 1 January 2027, 3 years after a doctorate. Fee £937 plus the health surcharge.

• Other checks

  Apply from the country where you live.

Immigration rules change. The rules above are those published by UK Visas and Immigration on the verification date; the rule that applies to you depends on the date you apply and on your course. We check every case before you apply.