Study in the UK: short degrees, and a shorter stay after them
A UK master's usually takes one year and a bachelor's three, so the total cost can be lower than the fees suggest. From January 2027 the work visa after graduation drops to 18 months.
At a glance
| Student visa | Student visa, sponsored by a licensed university through a CAS number |
|---|---|
| Visa costs | £558 application fee (from 8 April 2026) + Immigration Health Surcharge of £776 for each year of the visa |
| Money to show | £1,529 a month in London, £1,171 elsewhere, for up to 9 months, plus unpaid first-year tuition |
| Work while studying | Up to 20 hours a week in term; full time in vacations |
| After graduation | Graduate Route: 2 years now; 18 months for applications from 1 January 2027. PhD: 3 years |
| Family | Only PhD and research students can bring dependants |
| Main intakes | September; January at some universities |
| Official site | gov.uk/student-visa |
Rules and fees change often. Confirm every figure on gov.uk before you pay or apply.
What changed recently
- Graduate Route cut from two years to 18 months for bachelor's and master's graduates applying on or after 1 January 2027.
- Student visa fee rose to £558 on 8 April 2026.
- Money-to-show amounts rose on 11 November 2025.
Your year, step by step
The one-year master's
A one-year master's saves a year of living costs and lost salary, which is why it is popular. It also leaves little time for internships, and with the Graduate Route now 18 months, the job search starts in the first term, not after the degree.
Before you pay any agent or university
- Check the university on the country's official list (linked above), not on the agent's brochure.
- Pay fees only to the university's own bank account, never to an agent's account.
- Read the refund policy for a refused visa before paying any deposit.
Still deciding between countries?
Compare all eight on money to show, work rights and the years you can stay after your degree.