Dependants

If you wish to bring your dependants to the UK whilst you study please read this guidance to see if you are eligible to do so and how to make an application.

Who is eligible to bring their dependants to the UK?

For courses starting prior to 1 January 2024 – as a student on a Student visa you may bring your spouse, unmarried partner, and children (below 18 years old) with you to the UK if any of the following conditions apply to you:

• You are enrolled in a full-time postgraduate program that lasts for nine months or more.
• You are a government-sponsored student and taking a course at any level that lasts for six months or more.

Your dependants can either apply for entry to the UK together with you or separately at a later time. If they apply separately, they should ensure that you have obtained your visa before they submit their own application.

For courses starting from 1 January 2024 – as a student on a Student visa you are only able to bring dependants if you are studying PhD/other doctoral qualifications/research-based higher degree, or are government sponsored. Dependants already in the UK can continue to extend.

A research based degree is defined by UKVI as a postgraduate programme comprising a research component (including a requirement to produce original work) that is larger than any accompanying taught component when measured by student effort.  

UKVI have also clarified that those starting a taught postgraduate course before 1 January 2024 will still be able to have dependants join them after January 2024 (where the other requirements of the rules are met). 

For information on the recent changes to the Immigration Rules, please visit the UKCISA.

Applying for a dependent visa

Please visit the Government website for guidance from the UKVI on how to apply for this visa type, and the relevant financial and documentation requirements.

Accommodation

It is important to note that the University is unable to provide accommodation for families within University halls of residence, and that securing family accommodation locally and at short notice can be challenging.

We encourage applicants to attempt to secure accommodation prior to travelling to the UK, or to travel alone in the first instance and have dependants join at a later date. Please visit our accommodation pages for comprehensive accommodation advice.