UK Student Sponsors
update Register snapshot:

Private Education Providers Licensed to Sponsor International Students

There are 108 route entries for 106 distinct name-and-town combinations on the UK Home Office register of licensed student sponsors. That is 105 entries on the Student route and 3 on the Child Student route.

Private providers include independent colleges, language schools and specialist training institutions licensed to sponsor international students. Courses range from English language programmes to professional qualifications and degree-level study.

Check the provider’s status and type carefully. On the Student route, term-time work is permitted only for students sponsored by a higher education provider with a track record of compliance (Appendix Student, ST 26.1); for all other study the Rules say no employment is permitted. Confirm your work conditions before accepting an offer.

The largest concentrations are in London (51), Gateshead (3), Glasgow (3), Edinburgh (2), Manchester (2), Belfast (2), Bolton (2), Bournemouth (2).

How to use this category

There are 108 route entries representing 106 distinct name-and-town combinations. An organisation can appear twice if it sponsors both routes; these are not necessarily two licences. This category accounts for 8% of register entries, not of international students.

Routes in this snapshot: Student: 105; Child Student: 3. Status counts: Student Sponsor: 52; Probationary Sponsor: 11; Student Sponsor - Track Record: 45. All these figures count rows.

Compare the sponsor's legal name, route and location with your course offer. Ask whether a partner institution or pathway college, rather than the teaching institution, will issue your CAS. Confirm deposit refund conditions if sponsorship changes. The register does not list tuition fees, scholarships, course availability or admission requirements.

Reading the register

The Status column describes immigration sponsorship, not teaching quality, scholarships or a guarantee of a CAS. Course eligibility, your circumstances and the provider's admissions checks still apply. Read the official sponsor guidance for the privileges and restrictions attached to each status.

The Student route is for eligible applicants aged 16 and over. The Child Student route is for eligible children aged 4–17 at independent schools. A provider may have an entry for each route under its licence.

Full list (108 route entries)

Swipe the table sideways to see all columns →

Frequently asked questions

Why do some names appear more than once?

This category has 108 route entries and 106 name-and-town combinations. A provider may sponsor both Student and Child Student routes under its licence.

Does being listed guarantee my visa or a CAS?

No. The provider must approve your course and application for sponsorship, and UKVI assesses the visa application. Confirm both with admissions before paying.

How current is this list?

The register snapshot is dated 13 October 2026. Automated checks are scheduled daily; a failed download does not advance the snapshot date. Always verify the official register before acting.

Browse all cities and institution types or search the full sponsor list.

Source: Home Office student sponsor register, reused under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Snapshot: 13 October 2026. See our methodology and limitations; always recheck GOV.UK before paying or applying.