If you are from the EEA (the European Economic Area), Norway or Switzerland you do not need to apply for immigration permission to enter the UK.
If you are from outside the EEA and you are coming to study at the LSE for less than six months, you can come to the UK as a Student Visitor. You cannot come to the UK as a General Visitor or Business Visitor. (see our guidance below about how to obtain this in addition to other visit visas you may have). This is because General and Business Visitors cannot study. Usually you cannot come to the UK as a Tier 4 General Student unless you are planning to continue on another programme at LSE (for example if you are studying on the Summer School and going to study on a full time programme at the LSE).
The information below therefore applies to students intending to attend LSE for:
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A Summer School course only, with no intention to proceed directly to a full-time programme at LSE
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Executive Summer School programme
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A short Language Centre course only, with no intention to proceed directly to a full-time programme at LSE
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Visiting research students who plan to attend LSE for less than six months
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TRIUM Executive MBA students
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MSc Health, Economics, Policy and Management
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Global Masters in Management
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CEMS students coming to the UK for one term
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IMEX students on International Management Programme
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Students coming to UK for short executive training courses
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Students on the University of London International Programme coming to the UK to attend a study weekend
What are the rules for Student Visitors?
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You can stay in the UK for a maximum of 6 months (or 11 months to study English language only)
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You cannot apply in the UK to extend your stay
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You cannot work in the UK
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You can study full time or part time and the course does not need to lead to a qualification
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You are not entitled to free treatment from the National Health Service (except in an emergency at Accident and Emergency in a hospital)
Where do I apply?
This depends on your nationality. If you are a 'visa national', you must apply at the embassy or Visa Application Centre in your country for permission to enter the UK as a Student Visitor. Visa nationals always need a visa to enter the UK. You can check if you are a visa national on the UK Border Agency website|.
If your country is not on the list, you are a 'non-visa national'. This means that you can choose to apply at the embassy in your own country for permission before you leave. Alternatively you can bring all your documents and apply at the airport when you arrive in the UK. If you apply at the airport, there is no charge.
Why apply at the embassy for 'entry clearance'?
It currently costs £76 to apply for a Student Visitor visa at the embassy.
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As outlined above, if you are a 'visa national', you must apply at the embassy for entry clearance.
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If you are coming to the UK for up to 11 months, (for English language programmes only) you must apply for entry clearance - you can obtain a maximum of 6 months if you present at the airport.
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If you apply for entry clearance, it is possible to obtain 'multiple entry' permission. This means you can leave and re-enter the UK using the same Student Visitor visa. If you apply at the airport, you will be granted permission for one entry only and when you leave the UK, the visa 'cancels' and you need to present again the next time you enter the UK.
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When you arrive at the UK with 'entry clearance' you already have permission to enter the UK. This means if you are refused entry you have a right to appeal against the decision.
How do I apply at the embassy?
You need to submit application form VAF1D and you will also have to submit your biometrics (fingerprint scans and a digital photo of your face). In some countries you can only apply using paper forms. The UK Border Agency website lists how you can appply from your country and how to book a biometric appointment. The paper version of the Student Visitor application form is located within the 'Visit' category rather than the Study category on the UK Border Agency website.
UK Border Agency| General Information for Student Visitors
If you are able to apply online, you need to find your country page to access the online application form on Visas4UK
UK Border Agency| Country Finder
When using the online form, you will need to select 'Visit' and then 'Special Visitor' in order to reach the Student Visitor application form.
How do I apply when I enter UK?
Remember you can only apply at the airport or on Eurostar or at a port if you are coming to study in the UK for less than six months and you are a 'non-visa national' - see 'Where do I apply?' above.
You don't need to complete an application form but you need to carry all the documents and present them to the immigration officer when you arrive who will ask you about your plans and about your programme of study at LSE. It is important that you state that you would like to enter the UK as a Student Visitor not as a General Visitor or Business Visitor. Your passport will be stamped and the immigration officer may also write 'VST' in pen beside the date stamp.
What documents do I need?
To obtain permission as a Student Visitor, you need to show:
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you are going to study at a regulated institution. This includes institutions who hold a Tier 4 Sponsor License. Your letter from LSE will confirm that LSE holds a license.
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you are over 18 years old
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your visit will not last longer than 6 months (unless you are applying for English language)
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you have accepted an unconditional offer on your course (this is your letter from LSE)*
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you intend to leave the UK at the end of your student visit
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you do not intend to work
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you have enough money to support yourself while in the UK
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you can pay for your return journey home (you can show a return ticket)
* LSE will send you a letter showing that you have accepted your place. This is not the same as a 'Certificate of Acceptance for Studies' (CAS) and you cannot use the letter to apply for a Tier 4 (General) Student Visa.
How much money do I need to show?
The immigration rules for Student Visitors do not state exactly how much money you need to show but the guidance states that you should be able to show evidence of funds to cover your period of stay in the UK and your journey to and from the UK.
What to do if you already have General Visitor or Business Visitor permission
If you are a non-visa national and you are going to apply for permission to enter the UK at the airport, when you arrive at the airport, you simply need to explain that on this trip to the UK, you plan to study at LSE for less than six months. (See the guidance above about applying for permission to enter the UK at the airport.) If you are already in the UK with General Visitor or Business Visitor permission in the form of an ink stamp, we advise you to travel out of the UK and on your return, explain that you are entering for study, presenting your LSE documents.
If you are a visa national and you already have a sticker in your passport giving you multiple entry permission to enter the UK as a General Visitor or a Business Visitor, you will need to apply for Student Visitor permission in addition to the permission you already have. The UK Border Agency and UKCISA (the UK Council for International Student Affairs) have confirmed to us that it is possible to hold two different visas in your passport at the same time. When you apply for your Student Visitor visa, you must clarify that you wish to retain your General Visitor visa or your Business Visitor visa. Some students have experienced difficulty doing this, but we have been advised that this is possible to obtain. When you arrive in the UK with two different types of immigration permission in your passport, you explain the purpose of your current visit to the UK and the immigration officer will place a date stamp next to the visa that you are using.
If you are unclear about this process or you experience difficulties applying, please contact ISIS:
ISIS web query form
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More information
UK Border Agency| - summary page on Student Visitors
UKCISA |- making a Student Visitor application