# Short-term Study visa: questions Indian applicants ask

Answers to the questions Indian applicants ask the desk about the Short-term Study visa (English language course, 6 to 11 months), from bank statements to reapplying after a refusal.

Source: https://ukvisadesk.com/visas/short-term-study-visa/faq · Updated 2026-10-08 · Reviewed by UK Visa Desk counselling team, licence 849/DC/PTA/PLA/LC-3/2024 · UK Visa Desk, a brand of Pro Lifeset Overseas Private Limited, Patiala, India. WhatsApp +91 91155 80911, Mon to Sat, 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM IST.

**How much does the Short-term Study visa cost from India in 2026?**
£228 for the visa plus £776 health surcharge for the 11-month stay, so £1,004 before the TB test, VFS add-ons and any priority fee. Our fee calculator converts the total at today's rate. Our filing fee for this route is ₹24,999.

**Can I work part-time on this visa?**
No. No paid or unpaid work, no internship and no work placement. Working would breach the conditions and can lead to removal and a ban on future applications.

**Can I switch to a Student visa after my English course?**
No. You must leave the UK and apply for the Student visa from India with a CAS. Plan the English course so the degree application fits the next intake after you return.

**Is this visa cheaper than a Student visa for an English course?**
Yes. A Student visa costs £558 plus a higher surcharge and needs a CAS from a licensed sponsor. The Short-term Study visa is for courses up to 11 months at an accredited language school that is not a Student sponsor. It carries fewer rights, so choose by what you plan to do after.

**Do I need to show a fixed amount of money?**
No fixed figure. You must show you can pay the course fee, your living costs for the full stay and your return travel without working. Officers compare the cost with your family's income over 6 months of statements.

**Do I need an IELTS score to get this visa?**
No. There is no English test requirement, since the purpose is to learn English. A low score on an earlier test can even support your reason for the course.

**Can I bring my spouse or child?**
No. This visa has no dependants. A partner could apply separately for a Standard Visitor visa for a short visit.

**My course is 5 months. Which visa do I need?**
A Standard Visitor visa, which allows study of up to 6 months at an accredited provider and costs £135. The Short-term Study visa is only for English courses longer than 6 months.

Full guide: https://ukvisadesk.com/visas/short-term-study-visa.md

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UK Visa Desk is a brand of Pro Lifeset Overseas Private Limited, a visa consultancy licensed by the Government of Punjab, India. We are a private company, not affiliated with the UK Government, and we are not regulated by the UK Immigration Advice Authority. We serve applicants who are in India; applicants already in the UK are referred to a regulated UK adviser. We do not handle work visas. Information here is general, not legal advice, and no visa outcome is guaranteed.
We do not handle UK work visas. Applicants already in the UK are referred to a regulated adviser.