How do I sponsor a migrant?
Categories of student
This page explains the different categories of student that you can apply to sponsor under tier 4 of the points-based system.
On this page
What is the tier 4 (General) student category?
This category (also referred to as 'adult students') is for people who want to come to the United Kingdom for their post -16 education.
Students aged 16 or 17 are advised to apply as general students if they want to take a course at or above National Qualification Framework level 3 (or equivalent) lasting more than two years.
Students aged 16 or 17 must apply as general students if they want to study for an English language qualification at Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) Level A2 or above.
What is the tier 4 - child category?
This category is for children between 4 and 17 years old.
Children between 4 and 15 years old will only qualify as child students if they are coming to the United Kingdom to be educated at independent fee-paying schools.
Students aged 16 or 17 must apply as child students if they want to take a course below National Qualification Framework level 3.
Categories outside the points-based system
The 'prospective student' and 'student visitor' routes remain outside the points-based system. See the section on Special visitors for more information.