UK & Ireland Student Visas
UK & Ireland Student Visas: Routes, CAS, IHS and Documents

Plain-English guides to studying in the UK and Ireland legally — the UK Student visa, CAS, financial requirements, the Immigration Health Surcharge, and document checklists. General information, not immigration advice; verify everything on the official government source.
Getting your student visa right is one of the most important steps in studying in the United Kingdom or Ireland. These guides explain how the UK Student visa works — the CAS your university issues, the financial evidence you must show, the Immigration Health Surcharge, and the documents you typically prepare — in clear, neutral terms. Immigration rules change frequently, so every guide points you to the official gov.uk pages and reminds you that this is general information, not immigration advice. No service can guarantee a visa; the decision always rests with the authorities.
Last updated
Tests this hub covers
Guides for United Kingdom & Ireland
10 of 10 guides in this hub are for the UK & Ireland.
UK Student Visa: Requirements and Process
A plain-English walkthrough of the UK Student visa — the CAS from your university, financial evidence, English proficiency, the Immigration Health Surcharge, and the application steps. General information, not immigration advice.
Read guideCAS (Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies) Explained
What a CAS is, why your licensed sponsor university issues it, the information it contains, and how it feeds into your UK Student visa application. General information, not immigration advice.
Read guideUK Student Visa Financial Requirements
How the UK Student visa "maintenance funds" work in principle — money for course fees plus living costs, held for a set period before you apply. Exact amounts are set by gov.uk. General information, not immigration advice.
Read guideImmigration Health Surcharge (IHS) Explained
What the UK Immigration Health Surcharge is, how it gives visa holders access to the NHS, and how you pay it as part of a Student visa application. Exact amounts are set by gov.uk. General information, not immigration advice.
Read guideUK Student Visa Documents Checklist
The documents typically needed for a UK Student visa — CAS, passport, financial evidence, English evidence, and a TB test where required. The authoritative list is on gov.uk. General information, not immigration advice.
Read guideIreland Student Visa and Stamp 2 Explained
Studying in Ireland as a non-EEA student — entry visa vs no visa by nationality, registering for an Irish Residence Permit (IRP), the Stamp 2 immigration permission, and ILEP-eligible courses. Verify every detail on the official source.
Read guideIreland Student Visa Financial Requirements
How the financial (proof-of-funds) requirement works for a non-EEA student in Ireland — what evidence is typically expected, why exact euro amounts are set officially, and how to prepare. Verify all figures on the official source.
Read guideBringing Dependants on a UK Student Visa
Dependants and the UK Student visa — who counts as a dependant, the current restriction for most students, and which limited categories may be able to bring family. Verify the current rule on GOV.UK.
Read guideEnglish Language Requirements for a UK Student Visa
How the English-language requirement works for the UK Student visa — approved Secure English Language Tests (SELT) including UKVI IELTS, the English-taught-degree exemption, and university assessment for degree-level courses. Verify the authoritative list and levels on GOV.UK.
Read guideUK Student Visa Credibility and Interview Tips
What the "genuine student" credibility expectation means for a UK Student visa, how a credibility interview can work, and how to prepare honestly. General information with links to GOV.UK — not immigration advice, and no preparation can guarantee a visa.
Read guideStudying in the UK & Ireland
Continue exploring the UK & Ireland
Universities, entrance tests, costs and visa facts for the UK & Ireland — all in one place, each linked to its official source.
Not sure where to start?
Ask GSB for guidance tailored to your situation.
Ask GSB →