UK Student Route Under Appendix Student (2025): A Detailed Legal Analysis for International Students and Education Providers

Eligibility

To qualify under Appendix Student, applicants must meet the validity, suitability, academic and English language requirements.

Educational Institutions

Study must take place at an institution holding a valid Student Sponsor Licence. Sponsors must meet ongoing compliance duties.

Financial Requirements

Applicants must demonstrate sufficient funds to cover tuition fees and living costs for the required period.

Application Process

Applicants must complete an online visa application, submit biometric information, pay the Immigration Health Surcharge, and provide all required supporting documents.

The UK Student Route, contained in Appendix Student of the Immigration Rules, is the primary legal framework through which international students enter, remain, and study in the United Kingdom. Introduced as part of the post-Brexit immigration system, the Student Route is designed to support the UK’s world-leading education sector while ensuring robust compliance, clear academic progression, and genuine study intention.

In 2025, the route remains one of the most frequently used immigration categories, with applications submitted by prospective students seeking undergraduate, postgraduate, research, vocational, and English language courses. However, despite its popularity, this immigration category has one of the highest refusal rates due to strict evidential standards, financial requirements, CAS-related errors, and complex sponsor compliance obligations.

Legal Framework: Understanding Appendix Student

Appendix Student governs the immigration route for non-UK nationals wishing to undertake:

• Higher education (Bachelor’s, Master’s, PhD/Doctorate)

• Further education and RQF Level 3+ qualifications

• Foundation programmes, specialist training, and pathways

• English language courses taught by approved institutions

• Approved professional qualifications

It replaced the Tier 4 system and introduced clearer rules-based admission criteria, greater accountability for educational sponsors, and a structured approach aligned with the UK Immigration Rules.

Appendix Student operates alongside several other key provisions:

Appendix Finance

Defines how financial resources must be held, evidenced, and presented.

Appendix Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS)

Required for certain postgraduate studies in sensitive research fields.

Appendix English Language

Defines recognised English tests, exemptions, and assessment methods.

Sponsor Guidance for Student Sponsors

Sets out ongoing sponsor compliance, record-keeping, and reporting duties.

Validity Requirements

For an application to be considered, it must meet all formal validity rules:

• The correct online application form must be used.

• The Immigration Health Surcharge and application fee must be paid.

• Biometrics must be enrolled.

• A valid Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) must be assigned.

• Applicants must be aged 16 or over.

• Applicants aged 16–17 must have parental consent.

If validity criteria are not met, the application may be rejected without examination of the substantive rules.

CAS Requirement

A valid Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) is mandatory. The CAS must:

• Be issued by a licensed Student Sponsor

• Have been issued within the last 6 months

• Accurately reflect the applicant’s course and fees

Immigration Status (For In-Country Applicants)

Applicants must not be in breach of immigration laws except where permitted under section 3C leave or exempt categories.

Failure on any validity point results in a rejection, not a refusal.

Suitability Requirements

Applicants must not fall foul of general suitability criteria, including:

• Criminal convictions falling under relevant refusal grounds

• Previous use of deception in immigration applications

• Breaches of immigration laws that trigger mandatory or discretionary refusal

• National security or public policy concerns

• Outstanding litigation or serious unpaid NHS debts

Suitability refusals often arise from undeclared immigration history or inconsistencies in previous applications.

Eligibility Requirements Under Appendix Student

To meet the core eligibility criteria under Appendix Student, applicants must demonstrate compliance with course, English language, financial, CAS, and academic progression requirements.

Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS)

A CAS is a mandatory document issued by a licensed Student Sponsor and must include:

• Course title, academic level, and qualification framework (e.g., RQF)

• Full course details (start date, end date, hours, attendance type)

• Tuition fees and any deposits paid

• Statement of academic progression (if applicable)

• Confirmation that the student is academically and linguistically prepared

• Sponsor Licence Number (SLN)

A CAS must be used within 6 months of issue and may be used only once.

Sponsors can lose their licence if CAS assignments are not compliant, which can affect all their students making accuracy essential.

Course Requirements

To qualify, students must be enrolled on a course that is:

• At RQF Level 3 or above (or equivalent)

• Taught at an approved sponsor institution

• Full-time (part-time is restricted to postgraduate studies)

• Leading to a recognised qualification (e.g., Degree, Master’s, PhD)

• Genuine, academically appropriate, and consistent with prior learning

Permissible courses include:

• Bachelor’s degrees

• Master’s degrees

• PhDs and doctoral programmes

• Foundation and pathway programmes

• Pre-sessional English courses

• Professional qualifications (law, medicine, etc.)

English Language Requirement

The required level depends on the course:

• B2 CEFR: For degree-level and above (undergraduate, postgraduate, research).

• B1 CEFR: For courses below degree level.

Accepted Evidence:

• SELT (IELTS for UKVI, Pearson PTE Academic UKVI, Trinity)

• English-taught qualifications in UK institutions

• Certain majority-English-speaking-country qualifications

• Higher Education Institution (HEI) internal assessments where permitted

If the sponsor is not allowed to self-assess, a SELT must be taken.

Financial Requirement: Strict and Evidentially Demanding

Appendix Student has one of the strictest financial rules in UK immigration law.
Students must show they can pay:

Tuition Fees

• First academic year in full; OR

• Entire course if 12 months or less

Maintenance (Living Costs)

• £1,334 per month for London (max 9 months)

• £1,023 per month for outside London (max 9 months)

Evidence Rules

Funds must be:

• Held for 28 consecutive days

• Ending no more than 31 days before the application

• From a permitted financial institution

• Presented in an acceptable format under Appendix Finance

Differentiated Evidence Students

Some nationalities do not need to submit evidence, but must hold it.
The Home Office may request it later.

Financial requirement refusals are extremely common and often arise due to:

• Insufficient funds

• Incorrect bank formats

• Failing the 28-day rule

• Using non-permitted accounts

• Currency fluctuation issues

Academic Progression Requirement

Applicants extending their stay must demonstrate progression to a higher level of study unless exempt (e.g., adding a placement year or repeating study due to compelling circumstances).

Certain exceptions apply to:

• PhD students

• Intercalating medical/dental students

• Students requiring resits or repeating elements

Academic progression is a key element in reducing misuse of the student route.

Dependants on the Student Route

The ability to bring dependants is restricted. Eligible students include:

• Postgraduate students on research-based programmes

• Government-sponsored students studying courses of 6 months or more

• Students covered by transitional arrangements

Dependants must prove:

• Relationship (marriage, civil partnership, durable partnership, or child of applicant)

• Financial maintenance

• Genuine dependency

Dependants may work, study and reside in the UK subject to conditions.

Switching Into the Student Route

Switching is permitted inside the UK unless the applicant holds:

• Visitor Visa

• Short-Term Student Visa

• Seasonal Worker Visa

• Parent of a Child Student Visa

• Immigration Bail

Switching is commonly used by:

• Dependant partners transitioning into independent study

• Graduates starting new courses

• Skilled workers pursuing further professional training

Conditions of Stay: Rights and Restrictions

Successful applicants must comply with strict visa conditions:

Work Rights

• Up to 20 hours per week during term (degree level)

• Up to 10 hours per week for below-degree courses

• Full-time during vacations

• No self-employment or business activity

• No professional sport or entertainment industry roles

Study Restrictions

Students must attend their course and cannot switch institutions unless authorised.

Healthcare

Payment of the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) grants access to NHS services.

No Access to Public Funds

Students may not access benefits or local authority support.

Breaches can lead to curtailment and future application refusals.

Sponsor Obligations: Compliance, Monitoring and Reporting

Student sponsors must:

• Monitor attendance and engagement

• Report missed enrolment, repeated absences, or early completion

• Keep copies of passports, visas, contact details

• Notify UKVI of material changes

• Maintain academic integrity and course validity

• Comply with the Sponsor Guidance (highly detailed and regularly updated)

Failure can lead to licence revocation, which has serious consequences for all international students at the institution.

Post-Study Options for Students

Upon successful completion, students may progress into:

• Skilled Worker Route

• Global Talent Route

• Start-Up, Innovator Founder, or Graduate Entrepreneur options

• Youth Mobility Scheme (eligible nationalities)

• Graduate Route (still under review in 2025 but active at time of writing)

The Student Route does not itself lead to settlement, but time spent under the Graduate or Skilled Worker categories can.

Common Refusal Reasons Under Appendix Student

Refusals typically arise from:

• Miscalculated financial evidence

• CAS errors or inconsistencies

• Failure to meet English language level

• Genuineness concerns over study intention

• Sponsor non-compliance affecting CAS validity

• Questionable academic progression

• Incorrectly switching categories

Legal representation significantly reduces the risk of technical refusals.