Immigration
Please note that immigration law is subject to change and you should ensure that you have the most up-to-date information from the UK BorderAgency website.
Some general guidance is below (correct at time of going live), however do ensure that you consult the UK Border Agency website.
Do I require a visa?
If you are from a European Economic Area (EEA)/Swiss National you do not require a visa to study in the UK. Other nationals who plan to study in the UK for less than six months can apply for a Student Visitor Visa using form VAF1D, which can be found on the How To Apply section of the UK Border Agency website.
However, the Student Visitor Visa does not permit working in the UK and you cannot extend the visa beyond 6 months. This is therefore very important to note if you are taking a Pre-Sessional English course initially, but plan to stay in the UK to take study further; you would therefore require a Tier4 General Student visa.
Other nationals who plan to study in the UK formore than six months must apply for a Tier 4 General Student visa before travelling to the UK.
What is a CAS?
Once you have fulfilled the conditions of your offer and accepted your Unconditional Offer, the University will send you a Confirmation of Acceptance of Studies (CAS) which includes a reference number. You will need this number to apply for your visa.
When should I apply for my visa?
You must not submit your visa application more than three months before the course start date.The application requirements are very strict so you must ensure that you provide all the correct documents and can demonstrate the level of funds to support your application.
How do I apply for a visa?
Follow the instructions on the UK Border Agency website. If you have a specific problem and cannot find the answer in any of these documents, please email the International Student Advice.
