International students and the procedure for visa applications
Applicants to our college are eligible to apply for a student visa. You can move to the UK to study with us if you fit the visa criteria. The process requires you to submit an application and pay fees to the government. Before applying for your student visa, please read all the information below and follow all the links provided.
Student visa criteria
You are eligible for a UK student visa if you are over the age of 16 and you:
- Have been offered a place on a course
- Are able to financially support yourself and pay for the course (Click here for information regarding financial evidence needed for your visa application)
- Can speak, read, write and understand English (You must pass a secure English language test from an approved provider)
- Have a negative tuberculosis test result (only if applying from certain countries)
- Have a valid passport or other valid travel documentation
First steps
Your first step is to apply for a place on our BSc acupuncture course. Click here for our application process. You will need an unconditional offer from us in order to then apply for your student visa.
Visa fees
If you are applying from outside the UK the current cost for the visa is £348. If you are already inside the UK, the visa cost is £475. These costs are made directly to the government.
Course dates and fees for international students
First year sessions October 2024
1st Term: 14 October - 17 December 2nd term: 6 January 2025 - 15 April 3 term: 28 April - 1 July
All these dates and times will be confirmed at the start of the course
Fees for October 2024 |
Year 1 |
Year 2 |
Year 3 (including clinical training) |
Total fees |
£11,250 |
£11,250 |
£11,250 |
First year sessions April 2025
1st term: 26 April - 13 July 2nd term: 9 August - 14 December 3rd term: 17 January 2026 - 29 March
All these dates and times will be confirmed at the start of the course
Fees for April 2024 |
Year 1 |
Year 2 |
Year 3 (including clinical training) |
Total fees |
£11,250 |
£11,250 |
£11,250 |
Access to the NHS
You will need to pay a health surcharge which is usually £470 per year for a student visa. The exact cost will depend on where you apply from, your age and your considered health risk.
This payment goes directly to UK government and means you will be able to use the NHS for the duration of your visa.
Applying for your student visa
If you are outside the UK you will be able to apply within 6 months before the course starts and you should get a decision within 3 weeks. If you are inside the UK you will be able to apply within 3 months and you should get a decision within 8 weeks.
The amount of time for your visa application to be processed varies and can take longer depending on your location and specific circumstances. We advise applying as early as possible.
To apply for the student visa please go to the Government website. All visa applications are completed online.
Arrival
You can arrive a month before you start the course and stay for up to 5 years. You can work up to 20 hours per week on the student visa but individual circumstances may apply.
Understand your situation and what is needed
This is an important decision. Ensure you have read through all the information and clearly understand what the procedure is for you and the costs involved.
Please be aware that an unconditional offer, from the college will require a £3300 non refundable deposit and evidence of ability to pay ie bank statements. Immigration may require evidence showing additional funds to cover living expenses for the academic year, this is dependant on your native country https://www.gov.uk/student-visa/money
Please be aware if you are offered a place, you will not receive a refund of the deposit required to secure your place and generate a CAS if your circumstances change and you do not start with us.
Please get in touch with Jo Brown our registrar if you wish to apply for the visa or have any questions.