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For European Economic Area (EEA) National Students
If you are a national of an EEA country (European Union plus Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway) or you are from Switzerland, you can enter the UK as a student with minimum formality; you do not require entry clearance or a visa. You may be asked to show evidence that you have been accepted on to a course, and that you have sufficient funds to support yourself whilst in the UK. You will also need your passport.
For Non-EEA National Students
If you are not from the EEA (European Union, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway) or Switzerland, you will have to meet certain immigration requirements. Nationals from many countries are required to obtain an entry visa or certificate before coming to the UK. They can do this at the British Embassy, High Commission or Consulate. To check if you need a visa, look at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office web page at http://www.ukvisas.gov.uk.
To come to the UK as a student, you will have to produce the following documents.
Important note: Only nationals from certain countries can change from a visitor's visa to a student visa from within the UK, others would have to go home to re-apply as a student. Please ensure that you come to the UK with the correct visa.
A passport
A letter of unconditional acceptance for a full-time course
Evidence of your ability to meet, without working in the UK, the costs of your course, accommodation and maintenance and to support any dependants accompanying you.
The authorities must also believe that you are a genuine student, that you intend to leave at the end of the course and that you have the required qualifications to take the course. It is a good idea to keep all documentation in your hand luggage during travel, as you maybe asked to produce these on arrival in the UK.
Families
The spouse and children of EEA nationals who are coming to study should also be admitted to the UK with minimal formality. The spouse and children (under 18) of non-EEA national students will normally be allowed to enter and remain in the UK for the duration of the student's leave to remain but will have to meet certain requirements.
Requirement for Spouses (husband or wife)
The requirements to be met by a person seeking leave to enter or remain in the UK as the spouse (husband or wife) of a student are that:
ChildrenThe applicant is married to a student who is admitted to the UK as a student.
Both people intend to live together and that the marriage is subsisting.
The student and dependants can maintain themselves financially without using public funds.
There will be adequate accommodation for the students and dependants without using public funds.
The applicant intends to leave after the course.
The applicant does not intend to work unless permitted to do so.
Requirements for Children
The parent must be a student and admitted to the UK as a student.
The child must be under 18 or have current leave to enter or remain in this capacity.
The child is unmarried and has not formed an independent family unit and is not leading an independent life.
Can be accommodated without recourse to public funds.
Will not stay beyond the period of leave granted to his/her parents.
It is advisable to organize accommodation before bringing your dependants to the UK.
If you come to Britain with your family, you may find that childcare is a problem. It is often expensive and oversubscribed. Under British law, children under fourteen are not to be left alone in a house for any length of time, so an older child should not be left to look after a younger child.
Schools
If your course lasts longer than six months your children are entitled to attend school. If the children are of school age (from 5 to 16 years) you should be able to find a school to take them. It is important to note that your local authority may not have vacancies. You will not normally be able to organize a school before you have accommodation.