UK ETA for Short-Term Study: Apply, Requirements, Processing & cost For Singaporean Students

The UK Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) for Short-Term Study provides Singaporeans and other eligible travelers with digital permission to enter the United Kingdom for study visits of up to six months. It replaces paper visas for non-European nationals such as Singaporeans, simplifying short study travel.

Singaporean students must apply for the ETA before traveling for short courses, English language training, exchange programs, or academic visits. The ETA costs £16 plus a £10 service fee, remains valid for two years, and links directly to the passport used for travel.

Holders may attend short-term programs at accredited institutions, participate in training, or join academic or recreational classes. However, the ETA does not allow full-time study or long-term residence. It covers short courses, exchange programs, research projects, and organized school visits.

Applications are submitted online through application.uketa.com.sg. Students create an account, upload a passport and digital photo, enter personal and travel details, answer background questions, and pay the fee. Most applications are approved within three working days and automatically linked to the applicant’s passport.

Applicants must have a valid biometric passport, digital photo, email address, and payment method. Optional course confirmation or travel details may be requested. Border officers may also check proof of funds or accommodation upon arrival.

The ETA is valid for two years or until the passport expires, whichever occurs first. It permits multiple entries, each lasting up to six months for study, tourism, or family visits. The total cost is £26, covering government and service fees. The system streamlines immigration checks and provides secure, pre-approved access for students and short-term learners.

What is the UK ETA For Short-Term Study?

The UK Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) is a digital travel permission for short-term study visits in the UK of up to six months.  It replaces visa requirements for non-European nationals such as Singaporeans, Qataris, Australians, Americans, and Canadians.  The ETA costs £16 plus a £10 service fee, is valid for two years or until passport expiry, and covers tourism, family, business, and study purposes.

Do Singaporeans Need ETA For Short Term Study in the UK?

Singaporean citizens must apply for a UK Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) for short-term study visits lasting up to six months. The ETA, costing £16, grants digital permission to enter the UK for students, visitors, and language learners from non-European countries such as Singapore, Australia, Canada, and the USA.

Which Types of Courses Are Allowed for Singaporean Students with a UK ETA?

Singaporean students and visitors holding a UK Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) are allowed to join short-term study courses of up to six months, including English language training, exchange programs, recreational classes, or medical electives, at accredited UK institutions.

  1. Short Courses (Less than Six Months)
  2. English Language Courses (Under Six Months)
  3. Study Abroad and Exchange Programs
  4. Short-Term Research or Academic Visits
  5. Medical, Veterinary, or Nursing Electives
  6. Recreational or Leisure Courses (Up to 30 Days)
  7. Repeated or Supplementary Study
  8. Distance Learning with Onsite Components
  9. School Group Visits (For Under 18s)

Apply for a UK ETA

To apply for a UK Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) for short-term study, eligible students from Singapore can apply online through: application.uketa.com.sg. The ETA costs £16 plus a £10 service fee and permits study visits of up to six months within a two-year validity period.

Fill Out the Online Form

Step 1 – Start the Application

Go to application.uketa.com.sg using your phone or computer. The ETA system, launched in 2025, replaces paper visa procedures for non-European travelers with a streamlined digital process.

Step 2 – Prepare Requirements

Have the following ready:

  • Valid biometric passport (with e-symbol)
  • Recent digital photo
  • Email address
  • Payment method (credit/debit card, Apple Pay, or Google Pay). Check eligibility if you are from Singapore, Qatar, Australia, the USA, or Jordan.
 

Step 3 – Complete the Application Form

Provide personal details, nationality, travel plans, and course information. Upload your passport and photo, answer background and suitability questions, and review all information before submitting payment.

Step 4 – Pay the Fee

Pay the £16 ETA fee plus a £10 processing charge securely online. An email confirmation with an application reference number is sent immediately.

Step 5 – Wait for a Decision

Most applications are processed within three working days. Approved ETAs are automatically linked to the passport, allowing multiple entries to the UK for two years.

Step 6 – Entering the UK

At arrival, use eGates or present your passport and ETA approval to a Border Force officer. Carry your course confirmation letter and proof of funds if requested.

UK ETA Requirement

To apply for a UK Student Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA), Singaporean students must prepare a valid passport with an e-symbol, a digital passport-style photo, an active email address, and a payment method (credit/debit card, Apple Pay, or Google Pay) to pay the £16 ETA fee plus £10 service charge at application.uketa.com.sg.

Valid Passport

Your passport should be valid for at least six months from your travel date to the UK. You’ll need it for both the application and your trip.

Recent Photo

Upload a clear and recent photo that meets the UK requirements:

  • Size: At least 600 x 750 pixels.
  • File Size: Between 50 KB and 10 MB.
  • Background: Plain white with your face clearly visible.

Payment Method

Use a valid payment method like a credit card, debit card, Apple Pay, or Google Pay to pay the application fee.

Active Email Address

Provide an email address you use often. You’ll get updates and the approval notice through this email.

Clean Criminal Record

You need to have a clean criminal record. If you’ve been convicted of a crime and served a prison sentence of 12 months or more, your application could be denied. This also applies if you’ve been convicted in the past year.

The UK Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) for study purposes is valid for two years or until passport expiry, whichever occurs first. It allows multiple short-term study visits of up to six months per entry and costs £16 plus £10 total £26 costs. 

The UK Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) for short-term study costs £16 plus a £10 processing service, totaling £26. It’s valid for two years or until the passport expires and allows multiple six-month visits for study, tourism, or family trips.

An ETA is not a visa or a tax; it’s permission to travel. It’s valid for 2 years (or until the passport expires), permits multiple journeys, and each visit allows stays up to six months for tourism, business, study (short), or transit purposes. 

Yes, Singaporean citizens can use a UK ETA for multiple trips to the UK within its 2-year validity period (or until the linked passport expires). Each visit can be for up to 6 months, provided the purpose aligns with permitted activities (e.g., tourism, business, or short-term study).

Where to Learn More About UK ETA and Student Visa Options?

Everyone planning to visit or study in the UK, including Singaporean, Qatari, Jordanian, Australian, and American nationals, can learn more about Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) and Student Visa options directly at https://uketa.com.sg/, the official guide for ETA and study travel requirements, application steps, and visa facts.

What Can and Cannot Be Done with a UK Student ETA?

A UK Student ETA allows Singaporean and other non-European students from Qatar, Jordan, Australia, the USA, and Canada to attend short courses or English language programs at accredited British Council institutions or language centers for up to six months. It does not allow work, paid teaching, or long-term study.

What Is the Difference Between the UK ETA and the UK Student Visa?

The UK ETA is a digital travel authorization costing £16 plus a £10 service fee. In contrast, the UK Student Visa is a formal immigration route costing £127, requiring biometric submission, proof of finances, and institutional sponsorship.

How Long Can Non-Singaporean Students Study in the UK with an ETA?

Students from Qatar, Jordan, Australia, the USA, and Canada may study in the UK for up to six months per visit under the Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA), valid for two years or until passport expiry, whichever occurs first.

Does a UK Student ETA Cost the Same for Singaporean and Non-Singaporean Students?

Yes. The UK Student ETA costs £16 plus a £10 service fee for both Singaporean and non-Singaporean students, including nationals of Qatar, Jordan, Australia, the USA, and Canada. The cost and processing time are the same across all eligible nationalities.

Can Singaporean Students Work Part-Time While Studying on a UK ETA?

No. Singaporean students and other ETA holders from Qatar, Australia, the USA, and Jordan cannot engage in part-time, full-time, or unpaid work under a UK Student ETA.

Can Students Switch from a UK ETA to a Full Student Visa While in the UK?

No. Travelers entering the UK on an ETA cannot switch to a Student Visa or any other immigration category while inside the country. ETA authorization ends upon departure and cannot convert into a long-term visa route.

Can Singaporean Students Work Part-Time While Studying on a UK ETA?

Singaporean students and other non-European nationals such as Qataris, Jordanians, Australians, and Americans cannot work part-time, paid, or unpaid, under a UK Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA). The ETA only allows study, tourism, and visitor activities—not employment or business contracts.

Can a UK ETA Be Used for Multiple Study Trips in One Year?

Yes. Singaporean and other non-European nationals including Australians, Americans, Qataris, and Jordanians can use their UK ETA for multiple study visits within its two-year validity, provided each stay does not exceed six months.

Does the UK ETA Allow Remote Learning While in the UK?

Yes. Singaporean students and eligible non-European nationals such as Qataris, Australians, and Americans may engage in remote or distance learning while in the UK, as long as the primary course and assessment are conducted outside the country.

What Is the Maximum Duration of Each Visit to the UK Under a Study ETA?

Each Singaporean ETA holder, along with non-European citizens such as Australians, Americans, and Qataris, can stay in the UK for up to six months per visit under the study category of the ETA scheme.

What Restrictions Apply to ETA Holders?

Holders of a UK Electronic Travel Authorisation, including Singaporean and non-European nationals from Australia, Qatar, Jordan, and the USA, are prohibited from working, switching visa types, or accessing public funds during their stay in the United Kingdom.

Freequently Ask Questions

Only if your UK medical school is on the Singapore Medical Council’s recognised list, and you still must qualify for SMC registration.  

Yes on a Student visa (with strict hour limits, typically up to 20 hours in term); no on an ETA/Standard Visitor.  

You must prove English for the Student visa (usually CEFR B2 at degree level); IELTS for UKVI is common, though some schools accept approved alternatives.  

Yes for courses over 6 months (Student visa). For ≤6 months, you can study as a Visitor; visa-free nationals generally need an ETA to travel. 

International MBBS tuition is typically about £40,000–£70,000 per year, varying by university (e.g., ~£43,700 at Cardiff to ~£70,554 at Cambridge, tuition only).  

Globally recognised degrees, short/efficient courses, strong research links, and good post-study prospects are promoted via Study UK.  

ETA = digital permission to travel for short stays; Student visa = immigration permission to study long-term with specific rights/conditions.  

Yes—if you’re a visa-free national like a Singapore passport holder, you must get an ETA before travelling for a visit up to 6 months. 

No—Singaporeans are temporarily exempt from K-ETA through 31 December 2025 (check before travel in case of changes).  

An ETA is a quick, low-cost pre-travel check for short visits; a visa is full immigration permission with documents, biometrics, and conditions.

Most applicants must be Singapore Permanent Residents for at least 2 years before applying for citizenship (other factors also apply).