Peedal, I found this on a the British Consulate website. It's a bit lengthy but think it should answer all our questions (I was wondering about the details of the student visa myself). If you want to look at the website yourself, it's
http://www.britainusa.com/consular/Here you go:
Study in the UK
You are strongly advised to submit your application in good time. Not all visas are issued the same day.
Please note; the applicant’s valid passport and relevant documents must accompany the application. Official documents must be the originals or official copies bearing the seal or stamp of the issuing authority. Birth certificates must show parentage. Marriage certificates must be the civil certificate issued by the registrar and bear the raised seal or stamp of the issuing authority.
United States citizens (and other non-visa nationals) do not require visas to enter the United Kingdom to follow a course of study (unless they propose to take certain religious courses. Any such student is advised to check their position with this Consulate well in advance of their date of travel.)
To qualify for admission as a student, a person must:
Have been accepted for a course of study in a bona fide private education institution (with properly maintained enrolment and attendance records), or an independent fee paying school outside the maintained sector, or a publicly funded institution of further/higher education;
Be able, and intend, to follow either a weekday full-time course attending a single institution for at least15 hours of organized daytime study per week of a single subject(or directly related subjects), or a full-time course of study at an independent fee paying school, or recognized full-time degree course at a publicly funded institution of further/higher education;
(if under 16yrs) be enrolled at an independent fee paying school on a full-time course of studies which meets the requirements of the Education Act 1944;
be able to meet the costs of the course, accommodation and maintenance (including for dependents) without taking employment or engaging in business or having recourse to public funds;
not intend to take employment or engage in business, except part-time or vacation work when given permission by the Department for Education and Employment, except see below “ Employment during periods of Study”;
intend to leave the United Kingdom on completion of studies.
Employment during periods of study
Students may take up employment in the United Kingdom while studying without seeking either permission from their local Job Centre or obtaining a Work Permit, subject to the following conditions:
a student may not work more than 20 hours a week in term time unless (as in the case of sandwich course students) the placement is a necessary adjunct to their studies and is undertaken with the agreement of the educational establishment he or she is attending;
a student may not engage in business, self employment or the provision of services as a professional sports person or entertainer; and
a student may not pursue a career by filling a permanent full time vacancy.
The Immigration Officer/Entry Clearance Officer may ask to see evidence on any or all of the above points.
Students who are nationals of countries requiring visas to enter the United Kingdom, which includes holders of U.S. re-entry permits and stateless travel documents, must satisfy the Entry Clearance Officer on the above points before a visa will be issued.
On arrival in the United Kingdom a passenger who can satisfy the Immigration Officer that he is a genuine student will normally, along with any dependants, be admitted for an appropriate period depending on the length of his course of study and on his means.
Documentary Requirements
In order to apply for an Entry Clearance/Visa to Study in United Kingdom, you will need to complete and send the Application Forms IM2A and IM2S, and supply the following documents:
You will need to supply all of the following in original form or as certified copies:
Your passport (note: It should be the original document and have ample validity)
Two photographs (passport size)
Any relevant diplomas or educational certificates which you hold
A letter from the University, College or School confirming your acceptance for the course of study in the UK and a statement of charges for the course
Evidence of Government sponsorship (if appropriate)
Evidence of funds (ie Bank Statement)
Dependants:
ALL VISA NATIONALS REQUIRE VISAS.
The spouse and children (under 18 yrs) of students will normally be admitted if they can satisfy the Entry Clearance Officer that they can be maintained and accommodated adequately without recourse to public funds. Entry Clearance for non-visa nationals is recommended.
Dependants of Students cannot precede the principle applicant to the UK.
Applicants Not Yet Accepted for a Course of Study
To qualify for admission/Entry Clearance as a prospective student, a person must demonstrate that they have genuine and realistic intentions of studying in the UK.
Prospective students are expected to have a clear idea of the type and purpose of the studies and should already have been in touch with the educational institutions in the UK. For example, the applicant may already have been provisionally accepted at an establishment with final acceptance dependent on an interview. A vague intention to study for qualifications or to enter an unspecified university or other institution is insufficient.
Please note that visa-nationals in the above category will still require prior entry clearance to the UK.
An applicant who satisfies the Immigration Officer of the above will normally be admitted on arrival in the United Kingdom for a short period within the limits of their means and will be advised to apply to the Home Office for further consideration of their case.
Fees
A non-refundable fee is payable in US dollars for each application (including children travelling on their parents passport). The fee is sterling-based and can change from month to month.
Please see below for the entry clearance fees for this month. The Fees are payable in cash (personal callers only) or by money order or certified cheque in favour of the British Consulate-General.
WE DO NOT ACCEPT PERSONAL CHEQUES.
Mail Applications
We welcome mailed applications but you should note that in some instances a personal interview might be required.
Please see below for the cost of return postage by Federal Express. DO NOT SEND CASH IN THE POST! Please use money orders or certified cheques.
DUE TO THE VOLUME OF WORK HANDLED AT THIS OFFICE, WE CANNOT ANSWER TELEPHONE ENQUIRIES REGARDING THE STATUS OF YOUR APPLICATION.
Applicants will be contacted should an interview or additional documents be required.
