Student visa time limits

Find out how long you can hold a Student visa, and which courses and levels of study are exempt from the time limits set by UKVI.

Courses below degree level  

• Students under 18 – no time limit
• Students 18 and over – two years maximum  

The two-year limit is extended to two years and 11 months if you are applying to study a two-year course and have never studied in the UK as a student before.  

Courses at degree level (RQF level 6) 

You cannot apply to spend more than five years at this level. All the time you have spent in the UK under Tier 4 counts towards the five years, including the additional time you are given before and after a course. 

You cannot apply for a Student visa that will result in you spending more than five years studying in the UK at degree level. All the time you have spent in the UK under a Student visa studying at this level counts towards the UKVI five year time limit, including the additional time you are given before and after a course.

Exceptions to the five year limit:

• Any time that you were studying in the UK below the age of 18 does not count towards the time limit.  
• If you are applying to study a course at a higher education provider (HEP) with a track record of compliance and the five year cap would prevent you from completing a fifth academic year at degree level or above – the limit is then extended to five years and 11 months. 
• Courses in architecture, medicine, dentistry, veterinary medicine and science, certain law conversion courses and music at a conservatoire are exempt from the limit. 
• If there are “compelling and compassionate circumstances”, such as injury or disability. 

Courses above postgraduate degree level (RQF7 and RQF8) 

There are no time limits on study at postgraduate level and above. This includes Masters (RQF7) and Doctorate (RQF8) courses. 

If you need further information, visit the UKCISA website.