The United Kingdom has some of the best Universities in the world. Most universities in the UK offers practical and outstanding schools to their support international students. As a foreign student from Ghana, you will need to apply for a UK student visa if you want to study in any UK University.
How to Apply for UK Student Visa from Ghana
The following is a simplified process which can help you to successfully secure the needed travel document:
Tier 4 (General) Student Visa
Students from Ghana will need to apply for the Tier 4 (General) student visa to be able to study in the United Kingdom. This visa category is specifically for students who are ready to enrol in UK universities. Follow the process below to get the full application guidelines and requirements for UK Tier 4 student visa below.
Duration of UK Student Visa
You can arrive in the UK before your course starts:
- up to 1 week prior, if your course lasts 6 months or less
- up to 1 month prior, if your course lasts more than 6 months
- The student visa duration depends on the program you have choose.
The UK student visa offers you the opportunity to work in most jobs – depending on what level your course is and what kind of sponsor you have.
With the UK student visa, you can’t do the following.
- work in certain jobs, for example, professional sportsperson or sports coach
- study at an academy or a local authority-funded school (also known as a maintained school)
- Cost of UK Tier 4 (General) Student Visa
The cost of the United Kingdom Tier 4 (General) Student visa is £348. The price is always the same no matter the duration of your studies.
You can pay the visa application fee online, or at the visa application centre in Ghana (UK Embassy in Ghana), or even through a bank transfer. Ghanaian students won’t need to get health insurance for the British visa.
How to Renew Student Visa in the UK
You can renew your Student Visa as many times as you want, if you are enrolled in a UK University. However, you will need to show evidence of your eligibility and must apply from inside the UK before your visa expires.
The Tier 4 (General) student visa from the United Kingdom is valid for up to course duration + 1 month extra. So that you can stay during your entire degree programme, you may need to renew your visa every year. If you want to stay in the United Kingdom after your degree is over, you will have to apply for a different visa or a visa renewal through the immigration office.
Requirements for UK Student Visa
One of the most important things you need to prove is that you can sponsor and support yourself during your study programme.
For the United Kingdom, you might be required to show proof of £1265/month if you are studying within London and £1015/month if you are studying outside of London. You can show proof by either from an external source or already in your bank account.
Ghanian students will not have to prove they speak English well enough to study in an international university in the United Kingdom. These language skills ensure that you can succeed in your classes and manage yourself around the United Kingdom. You may also need to take medical tests before arriving in the United Kingdom.
Ghanaian students won’t have a need to set up a Restricted Bank Account. This type of bank account restricts the amount of money you can withdraw each month, and only allows you to access it when you arrive in the United Kingdom.
Also you will need to provide confirmation of acceptance for your studies (CAS) to show proof that you have been admitted into a UK University.
How to Apply for UK Student Visa from Ghana
You must apply for your visa no more than 6 months after you receive the confirmation of acceptance for studies (CAS).
Visit the UK visa application website: https://www.gov.uk/tier-4-general-visa/apply
You can also book an appointment for the visa application at the British Embassy in Ghana.
Students may be asked to provide biometrics during the visa application process. Your biometrics are, basically, extra identification (e.g., fingerprinting and pictures) that countries use for security purposes.