Oxford Summer Courses UK Visa Process Guide
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Studying abroad is an exciting opportunity, and at Oxford Summer Courses, we want to make your journey as simple and stress-free as possible. If you’re travelling from outside the European Economic Area (EEA) or Switzerland, you’ll likely need a visa to attend your course in Oxford, Cambridge, or one of our other locations. Our experienced team will guide you step-by-step through the visa process. Once your place is confirmed and course fees are paid, we’ll provide a Visa Support Letter to assist with your application. Whether you need a Standard Visitor Visa or an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA), we’ll make sure you have the correct documents and advice for smooth entry to the UK.
Most international students require either a Standard Visitor Visa or an ETA. Which one applies depends on your nationality, age, and how long you plan to stay. Students from countries like Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates may be eligible for an ETA, which is a quicker, simpler digital authorisation. Students from countries such as the United States, India, and China typically need a Standard Visitor Visa for short-term study.
Visa applications for non-EU nationals open from 8th January 2025, while ETA applications for EU nationals open from 5th March 2025. Once approved, an ETA is electronically linked to your passport, so no physical document is needed. Applying early is important to avoid delays. For more details, visit the UK Government’s Fast Track Visa Service page.
An ETA is a fast digital authorisation for short study visits and is only available to certain nationalities. The Standard Visitor Visa is a formal visa issued by the UK government for study visits up to six months and is required by most other countries. If you’re unsure which one you need, please refer to the information below on how to check your specific visa requirements.
To confirm your visa requirements, visit the official Check if you need a UK visa page. Enter your nationality and passport details, select “Study” as your travel reason and “6 months or less” for your stay duration. Checking early will help you avoid last-minute stress and application delays. Once you know what you need, you can begin your application on the official Apply to come to the UK page.
We recommend applying as soon as you receive your Visa Support Letter. ETA applications are usually processed within 3 to 5 working days, but applying early is wise to allow for any issues. Standard Visitor Visa applications may take several weeks, especially during busy summer months. If you’re worried about your visa being approved in time for your course, we recommend using the UK government’s priority service to get a decision within around 5 working days. To help ease the cost and stress, Oxford Summer Courses offers a £500 reimbursement for students who use this fast track service. For further questions about visas, you can contact UK Visas and Immigration via their Contact UKVI page.
When you arrive in the UK, you will go through immigration control where you must present your passport along with your visa or Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA), if required. Be sure to have your Visa Support Letter, course confirmation, and accommodation details from Oxford Summer Courses ready to show. Border officers may ask about your study plans, length of stay, return travel arrangements, and proof of sufficient funds to cover your visit. Being prepared with these documents and answering questions clearly and honestly will help ensure a smooth and speedy entry.
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Applying for a UK visa can be stressful, especially when time is tight. To help ease this, Oxford Summer Courses offers a complimentary UK government fast track priority visa service—valued at £500—to eligible students. This official service speeds up your visa application, often providing a decision within just a few working days—so you can be confident you’ll be ready in time for your course. Simply select the fast track option when applying via the official UK visa application website, keep your payment receipt, and once your visa is approved, send us proof to claim your £500 reimbursement. To qualify, you must have paid your full course fee and used the fast track service for your visa application.
Your Standard Visitor Visa or Electronic Travel Authorisation typically allows you to stay in the UK for up to six months, which covers the length of your summer course. These visas generally cannot be extended for longer stays while you are in the UK.
If your visa application is refused, you should contact the visa application centre or seek advice from a qualified immigration advisor to understand the reason and explore your options. Please note that course fees are typically non-refundable in cases of visa refusal.
Oxford Summer Courses offers a £500 reimbursement to students who use the UK government’s fast track visa service and provide proof of payment after their visa is approved. This reimbursement does not apply if your visa application is refused or if you withdraw from the course.
After you confirm your booking and pay your course fees, we provide an official Visa Support Letter to assist your visa application. We also offer guidance on which visa or ETA you will likely need and are available to answer any visa-related questions during the process.
To secure your preferred location, we highly recommend applying early. Each of our courses has a limited number of places available, and they tend to sell out quickly. Once they are full, no further places will be available. Submit your application as soon as possible to ensure you don’t miss the opportunity to study in one of our prestigious locations.
