Conditions for studying abroad in the UK that international students must know | IDP Vietnam

Typically, Vietnamese students study abroad between the ages of 17–18, after completing grade 11 or grade 12 of high school.

However, the age requirement to study in the UK is quite flexible. Students aged 13 and over (equivalent from Grade 8) can already participate in suitable study abroad programmes in the UK, provided that the academic ability is average or above, depending on the programme of application.

1.2 Health conditions

TB test

Students studying direct courses in the UK with a duration of more than 6 months are required to have a TB test and a TB test certificate when applying for a visa as well as when entering the UK. Pulmonary tuberculosis examinations must be carried out at medical facilities that are officially recognized and announced by the UK Immigration Department. Current cost of pulmonary tuberculosis examination: 105 USD/person (applicable to people over 11 years old).

Medical Surcharge – IHS

In addition to the visa fee, international students need to pay the IHS (Immigration Health Surcharge) – a mandatory fee for those staying in the UK for more than 6 months. Students must pay the IHS fee before completing the visa fee. After paying the fee, you can use most of the services of the British National Health System (NHS) while your visa is valid. Current IHS fee: 776 GBP/year (applicable for student visas in 2026).

1.3 Talent requirements

Regardless of the age or form of study in the UK, students must meet the financial proof requirement. The UK does not look at assets such as housing or monthly income, but only the actual amount of money in a bank account.

Requirements for proving finances

Students need to have a passbook in their name, opened at least 28 days before the date of the online visa application. In case the passbook is in the name of the parent, the student needs to supplement the birth certificate and the letter of commitment to financial sponsorship of the parents.

The amount of money to be proven for 1 academic year

The amount to be proven includes:

• Tuition fee for 1 year (after deducting the scholarship and the deposit to the school)

• Living expenses up to 9 months in the UK, depending on the study area

Important changes (effective from 11/11/2025)

• £1,529/month if studying in London (up to 9 months)

• £1,171/month if studying outside London (up to 9 months)

• The maximum deductible for housing expenses increases to £1,529, applicable to applications submitted from 11/11/2025 onwards

1.4 Conditions on documents to prepare when applying for a student visa

When applying for a UK student visa, students need to prepare the following documents fully and accurately according to the regulations of the UK Immigration Department:

• UK student visa application form (online on the UK Government's official website)

• Appointment at VFS Global – Authorized Visa Application Center

• The original passport is valid for at least 6 months and has at least 3 blank pages

• TB test for courses with a duration of more than 6 months

• Passbook and bank balance confirmation, issued within 31 days prior to the date of the online visa application

• Parent's letter of sponsorship/financial guarantee (applicable if the passbook is in either parent's name)

• Parent's letter of consent to school (for students under 18 years old)

• Birth certificate (if using a passbook in the name of the parent)

• CAS – Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies

• Transcripts and/or qualifications as required are specified on the CAS letter

• English language certificate (IELTS or IELTS UKVI according to specific requirements of each program)

Preparing correct, sufficient and consistent documents will help the visa approval process go smoothly and limit the risk of being required to supplement documents.

Prepare all documents to apply for a visa on time

Prepare all documents to apply for a visa on time

1.5 Educational qualifications

In addition to the general conditions for studying in the UK mentioned above, each level, training program and school will have different entry requirements in terms of educational qualifications, GPA, English language certificates and estimated tuition fees. Understanding these criteria will help you choose the right learning path and increase your chances of getting admitted.

Studying in the UK for Secondary and High School

The Secondary Curriculum in the UK is equivalent to secondary and high school in Vietnam, including popular pathways such as GCSE/IGCSE and A-Level/IB.

Study in the UK at Undergraduate level

Studying in the UK at the undergraduate level includes pre-university, college and bachelor's degree programs.

An application for an offer letter in the UK usually includes:

• Passport (valid for at least 6 months)

• Personal CV

• Letter of Recommendation (LOR)

• Personal Essay (SOP)

• Transcripts, most recent qualifications

• English language certificate (IELTS/IELTS UKVI)

Each school will have its own requirements, so you need to double-check before applying.

Step 3: Submit your application and receive an offer letter

• Foundation & Foundation

  : Submit via the Admissions Centre/Admissions Representative

• Undergraduate

  : Submit via the UCAS system (up to 5 options)

• Postgraduate

  : Submit directly on the university's website or through counseling

Processing time is usually 3–6 weeks

Step 4: Apply for the scholarship

Common types of scholarships include:

• UK Government Scholarships (Chevening, Global Wales...)

• Scholarships from universities

Conditions and processing times will vary depending on the program, so you should follow the information from the official website.

Step 5: Apply for a UK student visa

After receiving the offer letter, you proceed to prepare your visa application, including:

• Passport, appointment, tuberculosis examination certificate

• Academic Profile according to CAS

• Financial records (savings book, balance confirmation, etc.)

This is an important step that determines whether you can enroll as planned or not.

In short, in order to meet the conditions for studying in the UK, students need to fully prepare the requirements for age, education level, English ability, financial capacity and visa application documents in accordance with regulations. Understanding what conditions are required to study in the UK and proactively preparing early will help the application process go smoothly, save time and improve the acceptance rate.

IDP is the official admissions representative of more than 1,000 prestigious schools in Australia, the US, UK, Canada, New Zealand and Ireland, with a network of 210 offices in 35 countries.

With more than 30 years of experience in the field of study abroad consultancy at IDP and more than 57 years nationwide, coming to IDP Vietnam, you will be able to:

• Advice on the right study abroad route

• Assistance in completing academic records

• Financial Proof Guidelines

• Accompanying in the visa application process according to the latest regulationsThereby increasing the opportunity to receive admission letters and valuable scholarships.

Contact the hotline 1900 6955 for free study abroad advice today!

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