Bringing your family

A research-based higher degree is a postgraduate course that focuses mainly on independent research.

This usually includes degrees such as:

• Masters by Research (MScR)
• Master of Philosophy (MPhil)
• PhD or Doctoral qualifications

UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) defines a research-based higher degree in the Immigration Rules as:

UKVI confirm this definition is consistent with national higher education standards set out in 'HESA’s Qualification Category'.

If your programme is research-based then your CAS will include the letters 'RE' in the academic level section (for example: SCQF11_RE or SCQF12_RE).  

This will confirm to UKVI that your programme meets the research-based requirement and you are eligible to bring dependants with you. 

If you are eligible, you can bring the following family members to the UK as your Student visa dependants:

• Your spouse (husband or wife)
• Your civil partner
• Your unmarried partner (if you have been in a durable relationship for at least 2 years before the date of visa application)
• Your children

Child dependants must be either:

• Under 18 years old, or
• Already hold permission to live in the UK as your dependant child

Other family members, such as your parents or siblings, cannot come to the UK as your Student visa dependants.

If you are in the UK on a Student visa and expecting a baby, you should inform your School and the relevant support staff as early as possible. They can support you and carry out any necessary risk assessments, if needed.

After your baby is born, you must take at least two weeks of mandatory leave from your studies. Please speak to your School and the Student Wellbeing Service as soon as possible so they can help you plan your studies and support during this time.

You'll likely need to arrange an interruption of studies so discuss your absence options with your School as early as you can.

Immigration and visa considerations for your child

A child born in the UK does not automatically need a visa to stay in the UK with you. However, not applying for a visa may affect access to services including healthcare and travel issues. 

If your child remains in the UK for more than 3 months without immigration permission and travels outside Scotland (within the UK), they may be liable and charged for NHS treatments received there.

If your child needs to travel outside the UK, they will need:

• A valid passport or travel document (usually issued by your embassy), and
• A valid UK visa to re-enter the UK

Immigration status​​​​​

A child born in the UK does not automatically become a British citizen.

Your child will only be a British citizen at birth if at least one parent is already:

• A British citizen, or
• Settled in the UK (has Indefinite Leave to Remain)

If a parent later becomes a British citizen or is granted settled status (ILR), a child under 18 may be able to apply to register as a British citizen. 

Student Dependant visa overview

When a child is an automatic British citizen

When a child may be able to register as a British citizen

Student Parents - Support Groups

Any Student visa dependants aged 16 or over will be able to work full time in the UK. 

Working in the UK

Student visa dependants can take most types of work, but there are some restrictions. They must not work as:

• A professional sportsperson (including a sports coach)
• If their Dependant visa as a partner was granted before 9:00 (UK time) on 5 October 2020, they must not work as a doctor or dentist in training.

Public funds

Student visa dependants are not allowed to access public funds. This means they cannot claim benefits such as:

• Universal Credit
• Housing benefit
• Unemployment benefits

Studying in the UK

There are no limits on study for Student visa dependants, and you can study at any level.

However, if your course requires ATAS clearance, you must apply for and receive an ATAS certificate before you start your studies.

Do I need ATAS?

Your dependants can apply for their visa either at the same time as you or after you have been granted your Student visa.

If your dependants are applying from outside the UK, they can submit their application up to 6 months before your course start date.

If you are applying inside the UK to extend your Student visa or switch into the Student route, your dependants must either:

• apply at the same time as you, or
• apply after your new Student permission has been granted

In all cases, your dependants must submit their application before their current visa expires.

Applying from inside the UK

Some people are not allowed to apply for a Dependant visa from within the UK.

Your dependant cannot apply from inside the UK if they currently hold (or were last granted) permission in any of the following categories:

• Standard Visitor
• Short-term Student
• Parent of a Child Student
• Seasonal Worker
• Domestic Worker in a Private Household
• Permission granted outside the Immigration Rules

If your dependant is in one of these categories, or is on immigration bail, they will need to leave the UK and apply for their dependant visa from their home country or another country where they normally live.

Before submitting their visa applications, make sure your dependants have prepared all the required documents.

It is also important to understand the financial requirements you must meet. We recommend reviewing the guidance carefully before applying, as financial requirements are one of the most common reasons for visa refusals.

You can check what is needed in our document checklist:

Full document checklist for Student Dependants

The financial requirements are also explained clearly on the UK Council for International Student Affairs website:

UKCISA: Bringing your family to the UK on a Student route visa

If you are applying to extend or change your Student visa in the UK, your dependants should normally apply at the same time as you. They should follow the steps below:

If your dependants are applying from outside the UK, they should follow the steps below:

Need help?

For step-by-step help with completing the application form, please refer to our dependant visa application guide for applicants applying from outside the UK.

Your family members (including those not eligible for a dependant visa) can visit you for a up to six months using the Standard Visitor immigration route.

How they can obtain this permission will depend on their nationality.  All visa nationals must apply for a Standard Visitor visa before travel to the UK. Non-visa nationals (anyone not on the visa national list) can choose to request entry as a Standard Visitor upon arrival in the UK.

UKVI visa national list

If your visitor is a non-visa national and plans to request entry at the UK Border, they will need to obtain an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) before travelling to the UK.

Electronic Travel Authorisation

If your visitor is a visa national, they will need to apply for their visa online.

Standard Visitor Visa

Everyone entering the UK as a Standard Visitor will need to prepare supporting documents.

Guide to supporting documents

You can give your visiting friends or family a letter to invite them to join you in the UK.  Please feel free to use and adapt the template below depending on your circumstances.  You should sign the letter yourself.  It does not need to be signed by the University.

Please find information for EU, EEA and Swiss family members below. 

Information for EU, EEA and Swiss Family Members