The Cost of a Study Visa for the UK from Pakistan
If you are planning to study in the UK, you must be curious about the average cost of a UK student visa for Pakistani citizens. Knowing these visa fees will help you stay prepared for the time when you have to apply immediately after getting the acceptance letter from the institution that you have applied to. As it is the dream of every motivated individual to study in a prestigious university, we have gathered all the relevant information and made a comprehensive guide to the cost of a UK study visa for Pakistani students.
Overview of UK Study Visa Fees for Pakistani Students
As the study visa fees for the UK from Pakistan includes a lot of other costs as well, it is useful for a student to know and plan beforehand by keeping in mind an honest picture of the total expenses for a UK study visa from Pakistan. There are 3 main types of UK study visa options for Pakistani citizens and we will be looking at the fees related to all three of these and the total cost of studying in the UK for Pakistani students.
Application Fees
There are three different kinds of study visa options depending on your length of stay and type of education course in the UK. These are the application processing fees for each of these visa types:
- Short term study visa (for stay up to 6 months): £186
- Tier 4 (General) study visa (for educational programs up to 5 years): £363
- Student visitor visa (for up to 6 months): £100
Immigration Health Surcharge
When you are applying for a study visa appointment, you will also need to pay the immigration health surcharge. This is not required for all visa types so you can check if you need it by visiting the official immigration website here. You can also calculate how much you need to pay depending on the length of your stay and the number of dependents applying with you.
Generally, you would require £470 for 11 months of stay under the short term study visa for learning English language.
Additional Expenses for UK Study Visa from Pakistan
When you’re planning your finances to apply for the visa as a student, you should also keep in mind any extra expenses you will be making so you should focus on the cost of a UK study visa including all expenses for Pakistani students.
Travel Costs
Flight ticket costs can vary depending on the time of your departure but it is good to get a general idea of what you will be spending your money on. On average, it costs around £347 for a one way ticket from Karachi to London.
Accommodation Costs
To estimate your monthly expenditure on your accommodation, you can visit any of the accommodation booking websites like UniAcco and choose your budget along with your university campus to get an idea of what you will be spending on when you stay there. £1360 per month is the average cost for a studio apartment in London.
Living Expenses
Besides your tuition fee, you will also have to spend on your daily expenses like food, transport, etc. This varies in each city in the UK but the average cost of living in London, which is the most expensive city in the UK, is £2000. This includes transport, utilities, accommodation, food, etc.
Financial Requirements for UK Study Visa from Pakistan
Bank Statements
What are the financial requirements for a UK study visa from Pakistan? In order to give proof of your funds, you have to provide the bank statements to show that you can easily pay for one academic year of your degree- this amount is paid on your CAS (Confirmation for Acceptance of Studies). In addition to this, you also need to prove that you have enough money to afford living expenses. The cost are as follows:
- For London: £1,334 per month (for up to 9 months)
- For outside London: £1,023 per month (for up to 9 months)
Sponsorship Letters
If you are going with the support of a sponsor who is residing in the UK, you will need to show a written consent from the financial sponsor. The financial sponsor has to show proof of funds in place of your own bank statement in order to support the tuition fee and living expenses. If the sponsor is arranging for you to live somewhere, they need to show proof of that as well.
Ways to Reduce the Cost of a UK Study Visa from Pakistan
As you have read now and estimated how much it costs to study in the UK for Pakistani students, you can make a realistic plan for the future. As it is difficult to manage expenses for most students, you can consider the options mentioned below. Another way you can make this easier is by hiring a professional education consultant who can give you honest insights about the process and how to save money on a UK study visa for Pakistani students.
Scholarships and Financial Aid
The UK government is always welcoming towards international students as they have a great contribution in the social and economic environment of the area. In order to ease their educational journey, they offer a lot of scholarships every year, which can be either merit based or need based. Some of the most prestigious UK scholarships are as follows:
- Gates Cambridge Scholarship for International students
- Chevening Scholarships
- Women in Leadership Scholarships by the University of Surrey
Part-Time Work
Depending on the kind of visa you have, you will be allowed to work for a certain number of hours and this will give you enough to support your daily expenses. 20 hours per week during term time on a full time educational degree is the maximum number of hours you can work.
Budgeting and Money Management
Every student who is living on his own for the first time feels that balancing expenses and income is a very tough act. So you should follow some tips for budgeting for UK student visa expenses from Pakistan and create a well balanced monthly plan for yourself.
