Can my child study in the UK? Under-18 visa checker
For students coming to the UK before university, for A-Levels or sixth form. Answer four questions and see the right visa, the money, guardianship and the key rules for your situation.
Figures assessed against official UK government sources on 9 October 2026.
A guide, not a decision. The final call on any visa is the UK visa officer’s. Confirm every figure and rule on gov.uk or with the school before you rely on it.
How the under-18 route works
Coming to the UK for sixth form or boarding school is a different route from a university application:
- The Child Student visa covers ages 4 to 17 at an independent, fee-paying school.
- At 16 or 17, for a level 3 course like A-Levels, you can choose the Child Student route or the general Student route.
- Under-18s need approved living arrangements and written parental or guardian consent; a nominated guardian must be British or settled in the UK.
What comes after
A-Levels or the IB lead into a UK undergraduate degree, and at that point the plan moves to the general Student visa. The full picture of the under-18 route is in the under-18 guide; for the degree that follows, check your plan.
Common questions
- What visa does a child under 16 need to study in the UK?
- The Child Student visa, which covers ages 4 to 17 at an independent (fee-paying) school that is a licensed sponsor. Academies, state schools and further education colleges are not on this route.
- Can a 16 or 17-year-old get a Student visa instead?
- Yes. For a course at RQF level 3 or above (A-Levels count), a 16 or 17-year-old can choose the Child Student route or the general Student route. They must show they are a genuine student and may be interviewed.
- Does my child need a guardian in the UK?
- Under-18s need approved living arrangements and written parental or guardian consent. If they are not boarding or living with a parent, a nominated guardian is usually required, and that guardian must be at least 18 and a British citizen or settled in the UK.
- How much money do I need to show?
- A 16 or 17-year-old living independently shows one year of outstanding fees plus roughly £1,334 a month in London or £1,023 a month outside, for up to 9 months. For younger children or those boarding, maintenance is usually part of the school arrangement. Confirm the current figures on gov.uk.
- How long does the visa last?
- Up to 6 years for a child under 16 and up to 3 years for a 16 or 17-year-old, plus a short period after the course ends. Confirm current limits on gov.uk.
Does your own plan actually hold up?
Pathminder checks your dates, your budget and your documents against the rules on this page, and tells you what is missing before it costs you an application fee.
Check your planFree. No card required.
Where these figures come from
Every number on this page comes from official UK government guidance, not from agents or forums. Rules move without notice, so confirm anything your application depends on at the source.