At First Law Solicitors, we deliver expert, clear, and forward-looking legal advice for individuals seeking to study in the United Kingdom for a short duration.
The Short Term Study Visa is designed for students attending English language or other short courses at accredited British institutions. It is a flexible route for academic and professional development without the administrative complexity of a full Student Visa.
Our solicitors, regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA ID No 665823), manage every stage of your application. From verifying your eligibility to preparing compliant financial and identity documentation, we ensure that your submission meets the highest Home Office evidential standards.
The Short Term Study route allows overseas students to undertake short courses in the United Kingdom. It is suitable for English language programmes lasting up to eleven months or for short courses of up to six months.
Applicants must study at an accredited institution and demonstrate a genuine intention to study temporarily before returning home.
This visa does not allow employment or access to public funds, and it does not lead to permanent settlement.
We focus on demonstrating your genuine purpose of study, academic suitability, and financial readiness so that your application is approved efficiently.
Applicants aged sixteen or over can apply to study English language courses of up to eleven months. Those under sixteen who wish to study for six months or less must use the Short Term Study (Child) route or, in most cases, the Standard Visitor Visa when the course is very short.
To qualify, you must hold an unconditional offer from a licensed and accredited UK institution, have sufficient funds to cover all tuition and living costs, and confirm that you will leave the United Kingdom once your studies are complete.
Our solicitors assess your personal circumstances and ensure your evidence aligns with the Home Office’s “genuineness” standard.
Following the 11 November 2025 Statement of Changes, maintenance requirements have increased.
Applicants must now show proof of funds to meet the following living costs:
London: £1,529 per month
Outside London: £1,171 per month
You must also show enough money to pay for the full course fees. These funds must have been held for at least twenty eight consecutive days before the application date.
Because the Short Term Study route is unsponsored, the Home Office carefully examines financial evidence to confirm that the funds are genuinely available for study, not temporarily placed in the account. We prepare and cross-reference your financial documentation to ensure it withstands this enhanced scrutiny.
Only courses delivered by accredited institutions are eligible. The study must be classroom based and full time.
Distance learning or work placements are not allowed under this route.
Most English language students study for between three and eleven months. Those attending shorter courses, especially under six months, often enter under the Standard Visitor Visa rules, which now incorporate the previous six-month study provision.
We confirm your eligibility and assist in selecting the route that best aligns with your goals, whether academic, professional, or preparatory for further study.
All applications are filed online through the Home Office digital portal. Since the Data Use and Access Act 2025 came into effect, identity verification is completed through secure Digital ID Verification or biometric scanning, removing the need for physical passport submission in most cases.
From 1 January 2026, successful applicants receive an electronic visa (eVisa) instead of a physical Biometric Residence Permit.
This eVisa is accessible through your UKVI digital account and can be shared with your college or language school using a secure “Share Code.”
We handle all digital procedures on your behalf, ensuring accurate uploads, proper document formatting, and total data security at every step.
Refusals most often occur due to incomplete financial evidence, unclear study objectives, or institutions lacking accreditation.
We eliminate these risks through detailed pre-submission review, institution verification, and professional legal representations explaining your purpose of study and intention to return home.
For clients who have faced prior refusals, our solicitors prepare focused legal arguments addressing the Home Office’s concerns directly, strengthening credibility for reapplication.
Strategic Clarity: We design applications that anticipate Home Office scrutiny and present your case with precision and confidence.
Full Compliance: Every file is reviewed against Appendix Short Term Study and the November 2025 financial regulations.
Digital Efficiency: Your entire process, from ID verification to document signing, is conducted through our encrypted client portal compliant with the Data Use and Access Act 2025.
Future Planning: We assist students who later wish to progress to a longer Student Visa or Graduate route, ensuring a smooth and lawful transition.
Our goal is to deliver speed, certainty, and complete legal protection while you focus on your studies.
If you plan to undertake a short educational course or English language training in the United Kingdom, contact First Law Solicitors today for professional representation and trusted legal support.
Call 0044 161 224 4066
Complete our secure online enquiry form to arrange a confidential consultation with an immigration solicitor.
Copyright © 2025. First Law Solicitors. All Rights Reserved
