Do I need a Visa?
Whether or not you require a visa to come to the UK to undertake a course of study at the BISC will depend upon:
- your country or countries of nationality as specified on your passport
- How many termsyou intend to study at the BISC.
If you are a dual passport holder and one of your passports is from the UK, we encourage you to enter the UK on this passport, in which case you do not need to apply for a Visa.
Check here to see if you need a Visa https://www.gov.uk/check-uk-visa
Study periods of 6 months or less
If you are a non-visa national
Non-visa nationals can apply for entry as a standard visitor on arrival in the UK as long as they arrive directly into the UK from outside of the UK/Republic of Ireland common travel area. Currently students on the following passports are considered non-visa nationals:
- Canada
- EU, EEA and Swiss citizens
- Japan
- Mexico
- South Korea
- UK
- USA
If you are a visa national
Visa nationals need to apply for a Standard Visitor Visa before travelling to the UK.
What you can and cannot do
You can visit the UK to study at an accredited institution for up to 6 months, this includes English language courses.
You can also do:
- a short piece of research that’s relevant to your course overseas
- an ‘elective’ - an optional additional placement, if you’re studying medicine, veterinary medicine and science, or dentistry
- a recreational course of up to 30 days, for example a dance course
You cannot:
- study at a state funded school or academy
- do a course that lasts longer than 6 months (except if you’re doing a distance learning course)
- do paid or unpaid work (this includes work experience or work placements, unless it is an eligible medical, veterinary or dentistry placement)
- live in the UK for long periods of time through frequent or successive visits
- get public funds(benefits)
Study periods of more than 6 months
You will need a Student Visa. This visa is the only option for First Year students and Upper Year students studying for both Fall and Winter terms.
