Families and children

Students with families

If you are planning to bring your family to the UK there are several things you may need to consider.

Immigration

You are able to bring your husband, wife, unmarried partner, and children (under 18) to the UK with you as a Student visa dependant if one of the following applies to you:

• you are studying a full-time PhD, other doctoral qualification, or a research-based higher degree course of 9 months or more
• you are a government-sponsored student and studying a course at any level of 6 months or more.

Your dependants are able to apply to enter the UK at the same time as you or they can apply separately at a later date. If they are not applying at the same time as you they should ensure that you have received your visa before they make their own visa application. 

For further information please visit our dependants page.

Accommodation

Most students bringing their families to the UK will need to arrange accommodation prior to their arrival, as it is difficult to find temporary accommodation for families while you are looking for something permanent. Where possible, students are advised to travel to the UK in advance to secure temporary or permanent accommodation, before bringing their families to the UK. For further information please visit our international student accommodation page.

University of Gloucestershire has no family accommodation for students. For further information please visit our international family accommodation page.

Finances

University of Gloucestershire has no specific financial support available for parents. If you do experience financial difficulty during your time at the University, our Money Advice team are available to ensure that you’re getting what you’re entitled to, with information and advice on all aspects of student funding and budgeting.

For more information, or to discuss your personal situation, please visit our Student Finance page.

Healthcare

While you’re here in the UK on a Student visa, you, your spouse or civil partner (not unmarried partner) and children who are with you in the UK will be entitled to free NHS hospital treatment. Your family members must be in the UK as your dependants, rather than temporarily in the UK as visitors.

You will still be required to pay for prescriptions, although these are free for children under sixteen, pregnant women and for people with certain disabilities.

Childcare and schools

If your child is between 3 and 4 years old, they will be eligible for the UK government’s 15 hour free childcare offer, regardless of your or their immigration status. However, children of international students are not eligible for other free childcare schemes or benefits, such as the free childcare for two-year-olds, child benefit, tax credits and 30 hours free childcare.

If your children are between 5 and 16 years of age, they are entitled to attend government primary and secondary schools in the UK, as long as they are in the UK as your dependants. These schools are free and there is no cost to attend. Schools may occasionally have to refuse places to children if they consider their stay in the UK will be too short, or if the school does not have any available places.

Please visit the UK government’s pages on school admissions and the education system in the UK for further information.

Working

Spouses who are nationals of an EU country are able to work in the UK. If you are here on a Student visa, your partner will be able to work if either of the following applies: 

• you are studying a full-time postgraduate course of 9 months or more
• you are a government-sponsored student and studying a course at any level of 6 months or more.

Dependants who are allowed to work can take any type of employment, except as a doctor or dentist in training, or as a professional sportsperson (including being a sports coach), if their passport or Biometric Residence Permit states that they are subject to this prohibition.

While working in the UK, dependants will need to obtain a National Insurance number and ensure that they are paying the correct amount of tax.

A National Insurance number helps your employer pay your National Insurance contributions. The number is unique to you, no one else can use this number. Please note, it is not related to health insurance or NHS treatment.

National Insurance numbers are free, please do not pay an online service to generate a number for you.

You do not need a National Insurance number to start work if you can prove you have the right to work in the UK, but you will need to get one when you get a job.  

For further information and to apply for a National Insurance number, please visit the UK government’s Apply for a National Insurance number page.