If you are intending to study in the UK, make sure you fulfil any immigration restrictions that may affect you before spending money on course fees or travel costs. Chiefly, this may mean applying for a student visa allowing you to study and work in the UK for the duration of your course.

You will need to apply for a student visa unless you are a national of a European Economic Area (EEA) country, members of the European Union as well as Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein, or are a national of Switzerland.

To be granted a Student Visa, you must meet certain conditions:

1. Prove that you have been accepted onto a course at an institution accredited by The British Council, The British Accreditation Council for Independent Further and Higher Education, The Association of British Language Schools or English UK. See the links below for details of how to find out whether an institution has been accredited.
2. The course must be full-time, covering a minimum of 15 hours study time per week.
3. You must be intending to and have the ability to complete the course.
4. You must intend to leave the country once the course is completed unless the degree will be used in your future work.
5. You must only seek employment or engage in business if the immigration authorities allow you to and you have been given a national insurance number.
6. You must be able to prove that you have the money to pay for course fees, accommodation and maintenance without working unless permission is given.

Links
The Department for Education and Skills (DfES) has developed a register of publicly funded, and private, learning providers in the UK. Click the link for more information and to search their database: the DfES providers register.

To apply for a student visa, and more details, visit these official sites:

UK visas. The joint Home Office and Foreign and Commonwealth Office Directorate which runs the UK’s visa service. Full details about whether you need a visa, and how to apply. www.ukvisas.gov.uk

UKcosa. The Council for International Education with advice for international students looking to study in the UK. www.ukcosa.org.uk