If you are planning to study English at IH Manchester, you may need a visa or an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) to come to the UK.
The type of permission you need depends on your nationality, the length of your course and your personal circumstances.
This page gives you general information about the main options for international students studying English in the UK.
Important: UK immigration rules can change. Always check the latest information on the official UK Government website before you travel or apply for a visa.
Check which visa you need on GOV.UK
The visa or travel permission you need will usually depend on how long you want to study.
Course length | Possible route |
Up to 6 months | Standard Visitor visa or ETA, depending on your nationality |
More than 6 months and up to 11 months | Short-term Study visa |
These are general guidelines. Your nationality and personal circumstances are also important.
You can check the latest requirements on the official GOV.UK visa checker.
If you want to study English in the UK for 6 months or less, you may be able to study as a Standard Visitor.
Depending on your nationality, you may need to apply for a Standard Visitor visa before you travel.
Some nationalities do not need a visa for a short visit but may need an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) before travelling to the UK.
A Standard Visitor can study an English language course at an accredited institution for up to 6 months.
You should check the rules for your nationality before booking your travel.
An ETA is an Electronic Travel Authorisation. It allows eligible visitors to travel to the UK for up to 6 months for certain purposes, including short-term study.
An ETA is not a visa and it does not guarantee entry to the UK.
Whether you need an ETA depends on your nationality and the passport you use to travel.
No. Visitors cannot normally work in the UK, either as an employee or as a self-employed person.
If you want to work while you are in the UK, you will need to check whether you qualify for a different type of visa.
If you want to study an English language course for more than 6 months and up to 11 months, you may be able to apply for a Short-term Study visa.
This visa is specifically for students who want to study English in the UK for this length of time.
To apply, you must be aged 16 or over and your course must be with an accredited institution. You must also be able to show that you have enough money to support yourself during your stay and that you can pay for your return or onward journey.
You can study your approved English language course for the permitted period.
However, there are important restrictions.
You cannot:
You must also apply for this visa from outside the UK.
If you need a visa, you should apply through the official UK Government website.
The process will depend on the type of visa you need, but you will normally need to:
Use the official GOV.UK visa checker. Your nationality, course length and personal circumstances will affect the type of permission you need.
Choose the course you would like to study at IH Manchester and check that the course length is suitable for the visa route you intend to use.
The documents you need will depend on your visa. You may need documents such as your passport, evidence of your finances and information about your course.
Make sure that you carefully check the official requirements before submitting your application.
If you need a visa, use the official GOV.UK website to make your application.
If you need an ETA, use the official UK Government ETA service.
Be careful when applying online. There are websites that look like official UK Government websites but charge extra fees.
Make sure you understand the visa conditions before travelling to the UK.
If you need a visa, we recommend that you receive your visa before making non-refundable travel arrangements.
We understand that travelling to another country to study can feel complicated, especially when you need to arrange a visa.
Our Team can help you with information about:
However, IH Manchester cannot guarantee that your visa application will be successful.
Visa decisions are made by UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI), and the requirements can depend on your individual circumstances.
We are also not able to provide individual immigration or legal advice.
For the most accurate and up-to-date information, always check the official UK Government website.
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