The UK Student Visa lets you study at a UK university or college. The UK has world-renowned universities (Oxford, Cambridge, Imperial, UCL) and a 2-year post-study work visa. The application process is mostly online, but you'll need to visit a visa center for biometrics.
Fees: £558 visa fee + £776/year IHS (Immigration Health Surcharge) — fees effective from April 2026
Processing time: 3-6 weeks
Visa center in Algeria: VFS Global (Algiers, Oran)
For undergraduate degrees, apply through UCAS (you can apply to up to 5 universities at once). For postgraduate (Master's/PhD), apply directly to each university's website. You'll need strong IELTS results (usually 6.0-7.0 depending on the program).
Estimated duration: 4-12 weeks
When your university accepts you, they'll issue a CAS (Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies) — this is your golden ticket for the visa application. Apply online on the UK government website, pay the visa fee and IHS, then book biometrics at VFS Global. Since February 2026, you'll receive a digital e-Visa instead of a sticker in your passport.
Estimated duration: 3-6 weeks
For applicants in Algeria: Important for Algerians: You need a TB (tuberculosis) test from an approved clinic before applying. There's an approved clinic in Algiers — check the UK government website for the address. The test costs about 5,000-10,000 DZD. For the IHS payment (£776/year), Algerian CIB cards usually fail — use a Wise or Paysera card instead. Book your biometrics appointment at VFS Global (Algiers or Oran). Since Feb 2026, your visa will be a digital e-Visa — no more passport collection needed.