Who needs a visa

Who can be exempt from applying for the Student visa

• Full UK passport holders
• Nationals of the Republic of Ireland
• Indefinite Leave to Remain holders
• Settled or Pre-Settled Status holders (in the EU Settlement Scheme)
• Holders of other visa types which allow studying for the full length of the course

British National (Overseas) visa holders (BNO visa) are normally eligible to study without making a separate Student visa application, provided the visa permits study. 

EU, EEA and Swiss nationals

Most EU, EEA and Swiss nationals who did not secure Settled or Pre-Settled Status under the EU Settlement Scheme will need to apply for immigration permission under the Student route (or another appropriate immigration category) before studying in the UK. 

If you hold an EU, EEA or Swiss passport, or are a relevant family member of a national of these countries, and you established residence in the UK before the end of the Brexit transition period (before 11pm on 31 December 2020) you do not require a visa to live, study or work in the UK. You must hold Settled or Pre-Settled Status granted through the EU Settlement Scheme. To find out more read UKCISA’s guidance on the EU Settlement Scheme. 

Otherwise, if you are a national of a European Economic Area (EEA) country, or Switzerland you will be subject to immigration control and will need to obtain the appropriate immigration permission in order to study in the UK. 

Other acceptable types of UK visa or residence permit

f you already have immigration permission to stay in the UK for another purpose, except Student permission for another institution, you can normally study (full time or part time) at Goldsmiths without applying for new immigration permission. Please check this with the Immigration Advisory Service prior to enrolment. 

If you currently hold valid immigration permission that permits study, you do not need an ETA to enter or stay in the UK for study.  

You must make sure that you will continue to meet the requirements of your current immigration permission whilst you are studying and that your immigration permission does not prohibit you from studying at university. 

If you are thinking about studying on your existing immigration permission, please check that you will have enough time to complete your course before your current permission expires, or that your permission can be extended. Otherwise, you may need to make an application for the Student visa at some point during your studies. 

Some examples of such immigration permits may include, but are not limited to; British Nationals (Overseas), Dependant visa, Ancestry visa, Skilled Worker visa. 

The Graduate Route does not permit study on a course that would normally require Student visa sponsorship and cannot be used as a basis for enrolling on a new academic programme requiring Student visa. Contact the Immigration Advisory Service if you are unsure. 

Visa nationals

If you only hold a passport or passports that state you are a national or citizen of one of the countries on the visa national list, you must always apply for immigration permission before travelling to the UK.

See the visa nationals list.

You must obtain entry clearance (a visa) before travelling to the UK, including for study. 

Non-visa nationals

If you are coming to study on a course of longer than six months, you must apply for immigration permission before you travel. 

If you are a non-visa national coming to study for less than six months (e.g. short course or visit), you will not normally need a visa but you must check whether you are required to obtain an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) before travelling to the UK as a Visitor, as the ETA scheme is now mandatory for most short-term travel from 25 February 2026 onwards.  

ETAs do not replace visas for study longer than 6 months. You should check the ETA eligibility list at Gov.uk to confirm whether you need an ETA.  

 

Check what visa you need

Use gov.uk/check-uk-visa to find out whether you need a visa by answering some quick questions.

You can also contact us if you are unsure.

How to apply for a visa

See our Student visa pages for more information about applying for your visa. 

Please ensure that you apply under the correct immigration route and meet all eligibility, financial, documentation, and compliance requirements set by UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) before submitting your application. 

Compliance Disclaimer: This guidance is intended for general information only. Immigration policy and UKVI rules are subject to change at short notice. You should always check with the IAS team, refer to the official UK government website (GOV.UK) for the most up-to-date visa and entry requirements and seek individual advice where necessary. Goldsmiths, University of London does not guarantee immigration outcomes.