Can I enter the UK before my student visa kicks in?

I just got accepted into university in the UK! Woo hoo!

My course starts on 26 Sept, so if the visa application goes through successfully, I should be entitled to enter as a student on 26 August.  The thing is I have friends in the UK and have been invited to a wedding in the first week of August - before the student visa kicks in.

My question is, how would UK immigration feel about me coming to the UK as a tourist before I am offically a student? Would I have to leave the UK after the wedding and then reenter on the  26 August on my student visa? If so, do I have to return to the states or could I go to Dublin or Paris etc for the day?!

If anyone has any experience of these things, I'd love to hear it!

Thanks x

A friend of mine was in a similar position. She entered in June as a tourist and then went back home until august during which she entered on her student visa. She had no problems. I assume you won't either. I'm pretty sure you could go to France and channel hop.

I tried to find this out myself as i wanted to do this. I believe the answer is NO you cannot enter the UK before your visa. People are mixed on this. They give you a month before and expect that to be enough. Ive asked on other forums and called UKborder agency and they even told me no. I think it will cause some immigration issues for you in future, as in your vistor visa stamp will override your student visa and they will ask you lot of questions about why you couldnt wait to come, and may even make you fill out paperwork.

I think its best to just wait to your visa is active, save yourself from possible immigration issues. Immigration is nothing to mess with, def not worth it! Do what i did...go travel around europe a bit until your visa sets in.

I think it will cause some immigration issues for you in future, as in your vistor visa stamp will override your student visa ...

Where are you getting that from?  It is not true.

Where are you getting that from?  It is not true.

after calling immigration at UKBA, that was the response. After talking to others on this website and others, i got same sort of reply..as well as saying Dont do it can make things more difficult then needed be!

Try it if you like, at your own discretion. I decided against risking it.