UK Border Agency | Child students

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Child students

This section explains how you can apply to come to or remain in the United Kingdom to study as a child student.

When we refer to 'you', we mean the child or anyone applying on a child's behalf.

The child student visa is for people coming to or remaining in the United Kingdom to be educated between four and 17 years old. Children between four and 15 years old must be educated at independent fee-paying schools.

If you are 16 and 17 years old, you can choose whether to apply as an adult or child student, depending on the type and level of course you want to study. See Type of study or work placement I can do for more information on which category to apply for.

Read How to use this website to apply below for more information on each section of the child student category.

More information

What is the child student category?

The child student category is for people coming to the United Kingdom to be educated between four and 17 years old. Children between four and 15 years old must be educated at independent fee-paying schools.
You and your approved education provider can agree whether you apply as a general or child student if you are 16 or 17 years old and studying a course at National Qualification Framework level 3 or the same as or above.
You must apply as a child student if you want to study National Qualifications Framework level 2.
How to use this website to apply

1. Read Can I apply? to find out if you are eligible to come to or remain in the United Kingdom to study.

2. Read Applying to find out how, when and where to apply from.

3. Read Money to work out what money you need to have to apply.

4. Read Documents and proof to find out what documents you must provide with your application, including how to prove the money you have.

5. Read Visa fees to find out the student visa application fee.

6. Read Arrival in the UK to find out when you can come and what you must show at port.

7. Read Conditions of your visa while in the UK to find out what happens if you change course or approved education provider, what work you can do if you are 16 years old or over, and how a parent or legal guardian can come with you if you are under 12 years old.