Quick answer
The UK Student visa application fee is £558, whether you apply from abroad or switch from inside the UK. On top of that, you pay the Immigration Health Surcharge — £776 for each full year of your visa, plus £388 for any remaining period of six months or less. For a three-year undergraduate degree, the total comes to around £3,274 before tuition or living costs.
The two costs in every Student visa application
Applying for a UK Student visa means paying two separate charges upfront: the application fee and the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS). Both are paid when you submit your online application — before you get a decision.
- Application fee: £558. This rate took effect in April 2026 and applies whether you are applying from outside the UK or switching from another visa inside the UK.
- Immigration Health Surcharge: charged per year and part-year of your visa, on top of the £558, and often the larger of the two costs for students on longer courses.
There are no separate biometric enrolment fees. The £558 is the headline charge, and the IHS is where the total climbs for two- or three-year programmes.
How the Immigration Health Surcharge works
The IHS gives you NHS access for your entire visa period. Once you are in the UK, most care is free at the point of use: GP consultations, hospital treatment, A&E, and maternity are covered because you paid for them upfront.
Current rates from April 2026:
| Period | IHS charge |
|---|---|
| Each full 12-month year | £776 |
| Remaining period of 6 months or less | £388 |
| Remaining period of more than 6 months | £776 |
You pay through the official Immigration Health Surcharge service. The service calculates the exact total from your intended visa dates.
The Home Office explains what the IHS covers at gov.uk/healthcare-immigration-application.
How long your visa actually runs
Your visa runs longer than your course. The Home Office adds time so you can arrive before term starts and stay briefly after finishing.
- Courses of 12 months or more: visa = course length + 4 months
- Courses under 12 months: visa = course length + 2 months
A 12-month Master's gives you a 16-month visa. A 36-month undergraduate degree gives you a 40-month visa. The IHS is charged for the full visa period, including those extra months.
Full details on Student visa lengths are at gov.uk/student-visa.
Worked totals
1-year Master's (12-month course, 16-month visa)
| Cost | Amount |
|---|---|
| Application fee | £558 |
| IHS: months 1–12 (1 full year) | £776 |
| IHS: months 13–16 (4 months, ≤6 months) | £388 |
| Total IHS | £1,164 |
| Total visa cost | £1,722 |
3-year undergraduate degree (36-month course, 40-month visa)
| Cost | Amount |
|---|---|
| Application fee | £558 |
| IHS: year 1 | £776 |
| IHS: year 2 | £776 |
| IHS: year 3 | £776 |
| IHS: months 37–40 (4 months, ≤6 months) | £388 |
| Total IHS | £2,716 |
| Total visa cost | £3,274 |
These figures use April 2026 rates. Priority processing at a visa application centre costs extra if you need a faster decision.
Bringing dependants
Each dependant (a spouse, civil partner, or child under 18) pays the same application fee and IHS rates as the main applicant.
Dependant eligibility has conditions. You can only bring a dependant if:
- Your course is postgraduate level, lasting at least nine months, OR
- You hold a UK government-sponsored scholarship
A pre-sessional English course leading into a longer postgraduate degree can count toward the nine-month minimum. Check the current rules at gov.uk/student-visa before making plans.
Example — 3-year degree with one dependant:
| Person | Visa cost |
|---|---|
| Main applicant | £3,274 |
| Dependant | £3,274 |
| Combined total | £6,548 |
Both visas cover the same period, so the IHS and application fee calculations are identical for each.
What the IHS covers — and what it doesn't
With an active Student visa and IHS paid, these NHS services are free at the point of use:
- GP appointments and referrals
- Hospital treatment (outpatient and inpatient)
- A&E and urgent care
- Maternity and antenatal care
- Mental health services referred through the NHS
You still pay for some things in England. NHS prescriptions carry a flat charge per item; a Prescription Prepayment Certificate (PPC) caps your annual spend if you take regular medication. NHS dental treatment carries a charge by treatment band. Check nhs.uk for current rates.
Prescription rules differ by country: prescriptions are free in Scotland for all patients.
After your Student visa, many graduates apply for the Graduate route visa, which gives a further two years in the UK and requires a separate IHS payment at the time of application.
Plan your costs with the Luodi calculator
The Luodi visa cost calculator lets you enter your course length, start date, and number of dependants to get an accurate total in seconds. It uses the current April 2026 fee schedule and is free with no account required.
Useful for scholarship funding applications, discussions with your family, or checking what your university's international office has quoted.
FAQ
How much is the Student visa fee in 2026?
The application fee is £558. This applies to new applications from outside the UK and in-country switches or extensions. The rate came into effect in April 2026.
Is the IHS paid on top of the £558 fee?
Yes. The IHS is a separate charge, paid alongside the £558 application fee when you apply. For a 3-year degree, the IHS alone is £2,716, bringing the total to £3,274.
Can I get a refund if I leave the UK early?
Partially. The Home Office refunds complete calendar years of IHS you have not used, if you cancel your visa and leave permanently. Part-year periods are not refunded. Refunds go through the IHS service.
Do visa fees change?
The Home Office has increased Student visa fees several times since 2020, and changes tend to arrive with limited notice. Apply and pay as soon as your documentation is ready rather than waiting.
What does a 2-year Master's cost?
A 24-month course gives you a 28-month visa (24 + 4 months). IHS: 2 full years at £776 each (£1,552), plus 4 months at £388 = £1,940 IHS. Add the £558 application fee: £2,498 total.
General information — not advice
This article provides general information about UK rules for international students. It is not financial, tax, legal, immigration or medical advice. Rules, fees and deadlines change — always confirm against the latest gov.uk guidance or speak to a qualified adviser before acting.
