The family members you can bring with you are your spouse (husband or wife) or civil partner (same-sex partner) and dependent children. A 'civil partnership' is a same-sex relationship that has been formally (legally) registered in the UK or your home country.

If you are a national of an EEA country or Switzerland, your spouse or civil partner will be free to accompany you to the UK, as will dependent children. There is a guidance note called EEA students (84.5KB)*, which includes information about families and what to do if you are an EEA national but your dependents are not.

If you are a national of any other country, your family will be subject to immigration policy but you will still normally be able to bring your spouse or civil partner with you and any dependent children who are under 18 years old. You’ll need to show that you can support them financially, that you can arrange appropriate accommodation for them and that they will leave the UK with you when you finish your studies.

Your family may need to apply for entry clearance independently. Further information can also be found in a UKCOSA guidance note Dependents of international students.

Currently international students cannot bring their unmarried partners (except civil partners) to the UK unless they are entering the UK so that you can marry them here. If you have been in a settled partnership for two or more years with someone who has settlement in the UK ('indefinite leave to enter/remain' or 'permanent residence'), or someone who holds a Work Permit, or is a British citizen, the situation may be different. It’s a good idea to speak to a student adviser or welfare officer at your institution for more information before making an application to the Home Office for entry clearance.

* This link is to a PDF file which you will need Adobe Reader to view.

The UK’s immigration policy requires you to have arranged adequate accommodation for your family when they arrive in the UK. If you do not have adequate accommodation, life could be stressful for you and your family. Your institution should be able to give you information about finding accommodation locally and may even provide some family accommodation itself - you should ask about this before bringing your family to the UK.

Yes, as long as they are over 16 years of age, and their passport sticker does not prohibit it, they will be free to work while they are in the UK. They will usually be allowed to work if you have permission to stay for at least 12 months.

Your family will usually be able to study full or part time in the UK. Children under 16 years old are required to attend full-time education and they can usually go to a UK state school; your institution may be able to help you find them a place. Children aged over 16 can study full or part time at a school, further education college or university but they may have to pay the same fees as international students coming to the UK independently.

If one of your dependents wants to begin a course that continues after yours will finish, you must seek advice from your institution or UKCOSA. It may not always be possible for them to stay on in the UK as a student in their own right. If you would like your child to stay on at a UK school after you leave, you’ll probably have to send them to a private (fee-paying) school.  Why not get in touch with UKCOSA www.ukcosa.org.uk or the Independent Schools Council www.isc.co.uk for details?

In order to bring your family into the UK, you need to show that you can support them without the need to use public funds. You will not usually be able to claim benefits and it may cause some difficulties with your immigration status if you try to do so. UKCOSA have produced a guidance note Welfare benefits and international students which provides further information.

You and your family can usually have access to medical care and dental treatment through the National Health Service. Have a look at the UKCOSA guidance note Keeping healthy or visit the National Health Service website.

If you marry during your time in the UK, your rights may change. This depends on who you marry and their status. Circumstances will differ depending on whether you marry another international student, another foreign national who has a UK work permit or visa, a national of an EEA country or Switzerland, or a British citizen. To find out more, visit the Home Office website, the Immigration Advisory Service or contact UKCOSA. Student advisers at your institution will also be able to help you.

If you or your partner gives birth in the UK, your children won’t automatically be British citizens. Have a chat with your student welfare officer at your institution or contact UKCOSA for advice on the status of any children born in the UK.