Graduate Visa to Student Visa in the UK: Your Study Options

Yes, if you meet the requirements. The Graduate visa is not on GOV.UK’s list of visas you cannot switch from. You must apply before your Graduate visa expires, your new course must start no more than 28 days after it expires, the course must count as academic progress, and you need a CAS from a licensed university. You can stay in the UK while your application is decided.

Yes. If you hold a Student visa now, this is called extending. Your new course must start within 28 days of your current visa expiring and must be at a higher level, or at the same level and related to your previous course or career aspirations at degree level or above. You must apply before your visa expires and within 6 months of receiving your CAS. HOA’s guide to extending or switching inside the UK covers the application itself.

Yes, potentially. A second master’s counts as academic progress only if it is at degree level or above with a higher education provider and the university confirms it is related to your previous course or to your career aspirations. There is no Student visa time limit on master’s-level study. If you have already had a Graduate visa, you will not get another one after the second master’s. Second master’s in the UK.

It applies to anyone who has, or previously had, a Student visa and applies for a new Student visa from inside the UK (Appendix Student, ST 14). The new course must be at a higher level than the last one, or at the same level and related to your previous course or career aspirations, at degree level or above with a higher education provider. The university checks this before it issues your CAS. Applications made from outside the UK do not have to meet it. Academic progression explained.

No, not if you have had one before. Appendix Graduate (GR 1.4) says the applicant must not have previously been granted permission as a Graduate. If you are on a Student visa and have never had a Graduate visa, you can get one once: 2 years if you apply on or before 31 December 2026, or 18 months if you apply on or after 1 January 2027, for bachelor’s and master’s graduates. A Graduate visa cannot be extended either: your options before it ends.

Not if you can switch or extend from inside the UK. You would apply from outside the UK, normally from Nepal, if your visa cannot be switched, such as a visitor visa, or if your plans do not fit the in-UK rules, for example a course starting more than 28 days after your visa expires. Applications made from outside the UK do not need to meet the academic progression rule.

Not if your application can be submitted before your visa expires. You need a CAS first, and universities take time to issue one, so start straight away and choose a course that starts no more than 28 days after your expiry date. If your visa has already expired, do not rely on general guidance: speak to a solicitor or an adviser regulated by the Immigration Advice Authority immediately. Plan around your expiry date.

Not if you have lived in the UK with permission for 12 months or more on the date you apply (Appendix Student, ST 12.1). Otherwise you must show £1,529 a month for a course in London or £1,171 elsewhere, for up to 9 months, held for 28 consecutive days. For applications made on or after 30 November 2026 the figures are £1,570 and £1,203.

Often, yes. For the visa, you do not need to prove your English again if you proved it in a previous visa application, and for degree-level courses the university can assess your English itself. Each university sets its own admission requirement, which a UK degree often meets. Nursing is the exception: NMC registration needs IELTS Academic (7.0 in reading, listening and speaking, 6.5 in writing) or OET grade B (C+ in writing), whatever route you take.

The application fee is £558, plus the Immigration Health Surcharge of £776 a year, charged at half that rate for any period of 6 months or less. For a typical one-year master’s the surcharge is about £1,164, so roughly £1,722 in total before tuition. The exact surcharge depends on your course dates. Work out your own cost.

Each university sets its own deposit, and it can depend on the course. HOA confirms the exact deposit, tuition fee and refund terms with you in writing before you pay anything. Before you pay, also check that the university is on the GOV.UK register of licensed student sponsors.

No. An offer and a CAS let you apply; UK Visas and Immigration decides the application. The length of your visa is also set by UKVI from the course dates on your CAS, not by the university or by HOA, so treat any advertised visa length as an estimate.

Yes. Dependant visas are not on the list of visas that cannot be switched. The academic progression rule applies only if you have held a Student visa before. You would hold your own Student visa with its own conditions, including the term-time work limit. If your partner’s or children’s status could be affected, get regulated immigration advice first. Many dependants can study without switching: dependant visa to Student visa.

Not during term time. Once your Student visa is granted, students at degree level can work up to 20 hours a week during term and full time in official vacations. If you work full time now on a Graduate visa, plan for that change in income before you switch.

Yes. HOA’s guidance, course shortlisting and application support are free to students at every stage. Universities pay HOA; students never do. Our conflict-of-interest policy explains how we keep that from shaping our advice.

No. HOA gives admissions guidance: choosing a course, applying, and getting your offer and CAS. We explain the published rules in general terms, but advice on your individual immigration position should come from a solicitor or an adviser regulated by the Immigration Advice Authority. We will tell you when your case needs one.