Most non-European Union (EU) and European Economic Area (EEA) Students need to apply for an entry clearance to enter the UK for their studies. To find out if you need a student visa you can complete a short questionnaire on the UK Visas website

Countries that do not need a visa

The European Union (EU) consists of the following countries:
Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Cyprus, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovak Republic, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and the United Kingdom
Additionally the European Economic Area (EEA) includes:
Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway
Swiss Nationals have similar rights to EEA nationals.

Once you have established whether you need to apply for a Visa you need to determine if in UK immigration terms you are a Visa National or Non Visa National.

If you are a Visa National your country will be listed on the Home Office webpage

You will need a visa to enter the UK regardless of the duration of your studies.

If you wish to come to the UK to study for less than 6 months you will need to apply for a Student Visitor Visa. If you wish to come to the UK to study for more than 6 months it is compulsory that you apply for a Tier 4 (General) Student Visa under the UK Border Agency Points Based Immigration System. Please refer to the  guidance on how to apply.

If your country is not listed you are a Non Visa National. If you wish to come to the UK to study for less than 6 months you will not normally need a visa to come to the UK as a student visitor - but you may want to consider applying for entry clearance if you have previously been refused entry to the UK. If you wish to come to the UK to study for more than 6 months it is compulsory that you apply for a Tier 4 (General) Student Visa under the UK Border Agency Points Based Immigration System. Please refer to the guidance on how to apply.