International Students
Any international applicants who have questions regarding the following information should contact Karen Kingston, Head of Registry Services: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Applying for a Visa
Recent changes been made to the UK immigration system, policy guidance and application forms. It is therefore vital that students keep themselves informed by checking the UK Border Agency and Visa Services websites frequently.
For students who plan study in the UK for longer than 6 months and who are not nationals of a European Economic Area (EEA) country or are not a Swiss national, entry clearance is mandatory. Students must obtain entry clearance as a Tier 4 (General) student from the British Embassy, Mission, High Commission or Consulate-General in their own country before they decide to travel to the UK.
For students who plan to study in the UK for 6 months or less, the Student Visitor category may be applicable. For a visa national, obtaining entry clearance before they leave their home country is mandatory. If the student is not a visa national, the applicant can opt to make an application to an Immigration Officer when they land in the UK. They must note and be able to prove that they meet all the requirements of the Student Visitor category. Please note in particular that students will not be allowed to apply for more time in the UK under this category.
If a student plans to travel to the UK via Ireland, they must apply for entry clearance before they leave their home country, because they will not pass through any UK immigration points and will therefore not be able to obtain Leave to Enter as a Student Visitor on arrival.
Please refer to the Visa Service website for a list of Embassies and application forms.
For advice about status and any other issues or enquiries, students should contact the British Embassy in their own country.
Also refer to the UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA) website, where there are a range of useful information sheets.
Applying for a Tier 4 visa: (entry clearance in the home country before commencing studies)
A Tier 4 (General) visa should be applied for in the student's home country or where they legally live.
Staff at the home country Embassy will be able to advise on the format of application they accept (e.g. online, paper, etc) or this can checked by following the link on the UK Visas website
Read through the INF29 Application Guidance.
Applicants for a Tier 4 (General) visa must complete the VAF 9 form and Appendix 8. In some countries, the applicant may also need to provide a certificate to show that they are free from infectious tuberculosis if they are applying to stay in the UK for more than 6 months. Please check the Health (TB) Screening website.
Many applicants for UK visas will now have to provide biometric information (fingerprints and a digital photograph) as part of their visa application process. They will have to travel in person to the visa application centre to do this.
Applying for a Student Visitor visa (entry clearance) in the home country before commencing studies:
Applicants must check that they meet all the requirements of the Student Visitor category.
The Student Visitor visa should be applied for in the student's home country or where they legally live.
Staff at the home country Embassy will be able to advise on the format of application that they accept (e.g. online, paper, etc) or this can be checked by following the link on the UK Visas website
Extending a student visa in UK:
To make an application under the Tier 4 (General) category within the UK, students must first read the UK Border Agency Policy Guidance, Photograph Guidance and check that they are using the current application form.
Once the student has checked that they are eligible to apply in the UK, they will need to complete their application and claim 40 points in total as follows:
30 points for a CAS - Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies from the educational institution
10 points for meeting the maintenance (financial) criteria
Students can then send their completed application form and documents by post (the current application fee is £357.00) or they can book an appointment to submit their application in person at one of the Public Enquiry Offices in UK (the current application fee for this service is £565.00). For both methods of application, prospective students will also need to have their biometric details (finger prints and a digital photograph) taken as part of the visa application process. The visa will be issued in the form of an identity card.
Please also refer to the UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA) website, where there are a range of useful information sheets, including the sheet below on Making a Student Immigration Application in the UK.
When students receive their visa/identity card they should check the following:
- that all personal details are correct
- that the course/institution details are correct
- that the duration of the visa is valid for the appropriate period
Any errors must be corrected before travel.
More information and tips on good practice can be found in the UKCISA information sheet.
