Student Immigration Service
International students usually require a visa to live and study in the UK. The type of visa you’ll need depends on your nationality and the length of your course. Some students do not need a visa.
The University’s Student Immigration Service provides specialist support to international students who require a visa to study at the University of St Andrews. The service has two teams:
- International Advice team to give you advice and guidance on your student visa. To get visa advice, email advint@st-andrews.ac.uk
- Compliance team to help you understand your visa responsibilities and protect your immigration status while you're studying. Call +44 (0)1334 46 2352 or email visas@st-andrews.ac.uk
Read more about the University’s responsibilities for giving visa advice.
If you are enrolled or employed at another educational institution and you have an arrangement with the University of St Andrews to visit as a researcher, scholar or visiting academic, your School should email hr.immigration@st-andrews.ac.uk to ask for advice on visas.
Before you arrive
Find out if you need a visa and how to apply, how to get an electronic travel authorisation, and learn more about living in the UK and the requirements for bringing your family.
During your studies
Understand your visa obligations, visa requirements for working, travelling or family visits, how to extend your visa, and the implications of changing your student status.
After your studies
Get more information on visa routes and working after you graduate, and visa requirements for relatives attending your graduation ceremony.
Attend an online information event
The International Advice team hosts online events for students on everything you need to know about visas, including working in the UK on a student visa and protecting your visa status.
Immigration updates
Visa brake
For nationals of Afghanistan, Cameroon, Myanmar, and Sudan: the UK Government has introduced a 'visa brake' which means Student or Skilled worker visas will not be issued to nationals of these countries who apply from outside the UK.
Maintenance requirement increase
There will be a maintenance requirement increase for student applications from Tuesday 11 November 2025 from £1,136 per month (for a max of nine months) to £1,171 per month (for a max of nine months). The UKVI will update their webpage once the changes take place.
Length of permission reduction for Graduate route
For applications made after Friday 1 January 2027 undergraduate and postgraduate taught students will be granted 18 months of permission. PhD and other doctoral qualification students will continue to receive three years.
Links to external sites and information
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