UK Student Visa

UK STUDENT VISA FOR SWISS RESIDENTS

The UK Student Visa category allows Swiss citizens (and non-Swiss citizens) residing in Switzerland aged 16 or over to pursue further or higher education in the UK.

For children aged 4 to 17 wishing to study at an independent school, a Child Student Visa is required.

Requirements for a UK Student Visa for Residents of Switzerland

To qualify for a UK Student Visa in Switzerland, you must satisfy UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) that you:

Age: Are aged 16 or over;
Course Offer: Have an unconditional offer for an approved course from a licensed student sponsor in the UK;
English Proficiency: Can read, write, speak, and understand English to at least CEFR Level B2 (degree level or above) or CEFR Level B1 (below degree level);
Financial Sufficiency: Have sufficient funds to support yourself and pay for your course without relying on public funds;
Parental Consent: Have parental or legal guardian consent if you are 16 or 17 years old.

The specific requirements may vary depending on your circumstances. Consulting a specialist UK immigration lawyer is advisable for expert advice.

For expert advice and assistance with your UK Student Visa application, contact our UK immigration lawyers in Switzerland on +41 21 588 07 70 or complete our enquiry form.

Course Requirements for a UK Student Visa from Switzerland

Eligible courses for Switzerland-resident UK Student Visa applicants include:

Full-time courses leading to a qualification below degree level (RQF levels 3, 4, or 5) with at least 15 hours per week of organised daytime study;
Full-time courses leading to a qualification at degree level or above (RQF levels 6, 7, or 8);
Full-time courses at degree level or above (RQF levels 6, 7, or 8) equivalent to a UK higher education course, as part of a longer overseas course;
Part-time courses leading to a qualification above degree level (RQF level 7 or above);
Recognised foundation programs for postgraduate doctors or dentists;
English language courses at level B2 or above in the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages.

Who Else Can Apply for a UK Student Visa from Switzerland?

As a Swiss citizen (or non-Swiss citizen) residing in Switzerland you can also apply for a UK Student Visa if you are:

Extending your stay under the Doctorate Extension Scheme (must currently have permission on a Student or Tier 4 (General) Student visa and your course must lead to a PhD);
Taking up a full-time elected position as a Student Union Sabbatical Officer.

Place of Study Requirements for a UK Student Visa for a Swiss Student

Unless your course includes a work placement, study abroad program, or pre-sessional course, all study must take place at your student sponsor’s premises or a partner institution in the UK.

Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) for International Students from Switzerland

As a student from Switzerland, once you have been offered an unconditional place, your education provider will issue a CAS reference number. You should apply for your UK Student Visa within six months of receiving your CAS. The CAS must not have been used in a previous application that was either granted or refused and must contain specific information about your course and payments.

Financial Requirement for a UK Student Visa Application in Switzerland

When you apply for UK Student Visa from Switzerland, you must demonstrate that you have enough funds to pay for your course fees and support yourself financially in the UK.

UK Course Fees for International Students from Switzerland

You will need sufficient funds to cover any outstanding course fees for one academic year (up to 9 months). Any paid course fees can be offset against this requirement, provided they are confirmed on your CAS or through a receipt from your student sponsor.

Living Costs for International Students from Switzerland

You will need enough funds for living costs in the UK. The amount varies based on your study location:

Inner London: £1,334 for up to nine months;
Outside London: £1,023 for up to nine months.

For the Doctorate Extension Scheme, you need a total of £2,530 for London or £2,030 for outside London. Funds must be held for at least 28 consecutive days ending no more than 31 days before your application date.

Special Categories

Certain applicants automatically satisfy the financial requirement, including those who:

Have been in the UK with valid leave for at least 12 months;
Are applying as a Student Union Sabbatical Officer;
Are postgraduate doctors or dentists on recognised foundation programs;
Are British Nationals (Overseas) or from specified countries under the ‘differential evidence requirement’ (though evidence of funds may still be requested).

English Language Requirement for a UK Student Visa from Switzerland

Residents of Switzerland need to demonstrate English proficiency at CEFR Level B2 (degree level or above) or CEFR Level B1 (below degree level), usually through a Secure English Language Test (SELT) from an approved provider. Exceptions apply for nationals of majority English-speaking countries and those with equivalent qualifications taught in English.

Genuine Student Rule

UKVI interviews most Student Visa applicants to ensure they are genuine students. Expect questions about your immigration and education history, course details, reasons for studying in the UK, post-study plans, and personal and financial circumstances.

Switching into the Student Route

Swiss nationals (and non-Swiss nationals) from Switzerland can switch into the Student route from within the UK if you have valid leave to remain, except if you were last granted permission as a Visitor, Short-term Student, Parent of a Child Student, Seasonal Worker, Domestic Worker in a Private Household, or outside the Immigration Rules (unless explicitly granted to find a new student sponsor).

Apply for a UK Student Visa in Switzerland

You should apply for a UK Student Visa from Switzerland no more than six months before your course starts. From inside the UK, apply no more than three months before your course starts. The course must begin within 28 days after your previous leave expires.

Student Visa Processing Times in Switzerland

Expect a decision within three weeks for applications from Switzerland and within eight weeks for applications from within the UK.

Travel from Switzerland to the UK on a Student Visa

If approved, you can travel from Switzerland to the UK up to one week before your course starts (if it lasts six months or less) or up to one month before (if it lasts more than six months).

Duration of Stay on a UK Student Visa

For degree-level courses, Swiss students can stay in the UK for up to five years. For below-degree-level courses, you can stay for up to two years. Exceptions apply for certain subjects. The duration includes the total period of your leave, not just the course length.

Working on a Student Visa

Full-time degree-level students can work 20 hours per week during term-time and full-time outside term-time. Students on below-degree-level courses can work 10 hours per week during term-time and full-time outside term-time. Part-time students are not permitted to work.

Dependent Family Members of International Students

Courses starting before 1 January 2024

Dependents can join:

Full-time postgraduate students (RQF level 7 or above) on courses lasting nine months or longer;
Government-sponsored students on courses longer than six months;
Doctorate Extension Scheme students.

Dependents need funds of £845 per month (up to nine months) for London courses or £680 per month (up to nine months) for courses outside London. Funds must be held for 28 consecutive days ending no more than 31 days before the application date.

Courses starting on or after 1 January 2024

International students from Switzerland cannot bring dependents, except for those on PhD or research-based higher degree courses. Existing dependents can extend their stay.

Extension of Stay as a Student from Switzerland

Students and their dependents from Switzerland can extend their stay if they have an unconditional offer from a licensed student sponsor and, generally, are studying at a higher academic level. Proof of funds is required if they have been in the UK for less than 12 months.

Settlement in the UK as a Swiss Student

The Student route does not lead directly to settlement but can extend into other immigration routes that do.

Switching from a UK Student Visa into Work Routes

Degree-level students from Switzerland can switch to work routes before completing their course, with employment starting after course completion. PhD students from Switzerland can switch after 24 months of study. Possible work routes include Skilled Worker, Graduate Trainee, and Global Talent, among others.

How Our UK Immigration Lawyers in Switzerland Can Help

Through the Swiss office of our UK immigration law firm, we are delighted to offer a comprehensive range of UK immigration legal services to Swiss citizens (and non-Swiss citizens) residing in Switzerland.

Our UK visa and immigration services for Swiss nationals (and non-Swiss nationals) residing in Switzerland encompass expert guidance on all UK visa routes for Swiss residents, along with a fully-managed UK visa application preparation service tailored for Swiss citizens (and non-Swiss citizens) in Switzerland.

Our immigration barristers assist international students with their UK visa applications and extensions. Experts in immigration options for Swiss students, we provide clear and reliable advice, ensuring a professional and friendly service.

For assistance with your UK Student Visa application in Switzerland, contact our immigration lawyers on +41 21 588 07 70 or complete our enquiry form below.

WE CAN ALSO ASSIST WITH

Applications by Swiss Citizens and non-Swiss Citizens for Extension of Stay as a Student

If you have previously been granted permission as a Student or a Tier 4 (General) Student and you are applying from within the UK to extend your stay for the purpose of undertaking further studies then, unless an exception applies, you will need to demonstrate that:

You have successfully completed your previous course of study; and
The course for which your new CAS has been issued is at a higher level than your previous course

Further details regarding the academic progression requirement, including a list of those who are exempt, can be found in our post: Extending a Student Visa: The Academic Progression Requirement Explained.

Applications by Swiss Nationals and non-Swiss Nationals for Settlement by Students

The Student category does not lead to settlement in the UK. The length of time that you may stay in the UK will vary according to the type of course that you will be studying.

If you are 18 years old or over and your course is at degree level, you will usually be able to stay in the UK as a Student for up to 5 years.

If your course is below degree level, you will usually be able to stay in the UK on the Student route for up to 2 years.

There are exceptions to the above rule, including, for certain subjects such as architecture, medicine, dentistry, veterinary medicine and science, law and some music courses.

Student Visa holders may be eligible to extend their stay into other immigration routes which can lead to settlement.

If you have spent 10 years continuously and lawfully in the UK then you may qualify for indefinite leave to remain on the basis of 10 years Long Residence.

Applications by Family Members of Swiss Students

The following Students can bring a dependant partner and / or dependant child to the UK:

A full-time student on a postgraduate level course (RQF level 7 or above) that lasts 9 months or longer;
A new government-sponsored student on a course that lasts longer than 6 months;
A Doctorate Extension Scheme student.

Partners and children must each have either £845 a month (for up to 9 months) available to them for courses in London or £680 a month (for up to 9 months) available to them for courses outside London.

In either case, the money must be held for at least 28 consecutive days ending not more than 31 days before the date of the dependent visa application.

Partners and children who have been in the UK with a valid visa for at least 12 months or who are from a country listed under the ‘differential evidence requirement’ where the main applicant is applying at the same time, do not need to satisfy a maintenance funds requirement.

Applications for Graduate Visas by Students from Switzerland

The Graduate Visa allows international students who have completed an eligible UK degree to stay in the UK to work, or look for work, for two years (three years for those being awarded doctorates) after they have completed their studies.

The Graduate Visa does not lead directly to settlement, but graduates on the route are able to switch into other work-based routes which can lead to settlement.

In order to qualify for a Graduate Visa, you will need to satisfy UK Visas & Immigration that:

You have successfully completed a UK degree, or other eligible course;
You have studied at a Higher Education Provider which is a student sponsor with a track record of compliance;
You have held permission as a Student, which was granted to study the relevant qualification in the UK, for a minimum period of time;
You are applying from within the UK and have valid leave as a Student or Tier 4 Student at the date of application;
You have not previously held permission on the Doctorate Extension Scheme (DES), or the Graduate route;
You do not fall for refusal on grounds of suitability.

The exact requirements you will need to satisfy will vary depending on your circumstances. You may want to speak to an immigration lawyer for expert advice.

Applications for Short-term Student Visas (English Language) by Swiss Residents

The Short-term Student Visa (English Language) is a route for persons aged 16 and over who want to study an English language course in the UK for between 6 and 11 months without a student sponsor but at an accredited institution.

In order to qualify for a Short-term Student Visa (English Language) you will need to satisfy UK Visas and Immigration that:

You are aged 16 or over;
You are outside the UK;
You have been accepted onto an English language course (that does not include any other subject) at an accredited institution that will last no longer than 11 months;
You have paid your course fees or have enough funds to pay your course fees;
You do not intend to undertake a course of study of longer than 11 months, study at an academy or state-funded school, make the UK your main home, work in the UK or engage in any business or professional activities in the UK;
You intend to leave the UK within 30 days of the end of your English language course, or at the end of 11 months, whichever is sooner;
You can maintain and accommodate yourself adequately without receiving public funds;
You have enough funds to meet the cost of your return or onward journey from the UK;
You have the consent of your parents if you are 16 or 17 years old.

The exact requirements you will need to satisfy will vary depending on your circumstances. You may want to speak to an immigration lawyer for expert advice.

Fresh applications, Administrative reviews and Judicial reviews for International Students from Switzerland

If your application for entry clearance or leave to remain as a Student has been refused, our immigration barristers can advise on the merits of making a fresh application or challenging the decision.

If the decision-maker failed to apply the Immigration Rules or Home Office policy correctly, we can bring Administrative Review proceedings to challenge the decision.

If the decision to refuse your application was unlawful, unreasonable or procedurally improper, our immigration barristers can apply for Judicial Review and provide representation at Judicial Review hearings.