If you are 16 or over, you may be eligible to apply for a Student visa to study in the UK. You will be able to apply for a Student visa up to 6 months before your intended course starts.
Students will require a total of 70 points to be eligible as part of the new Points-Based Immigration System (PBS). You can achieve the required points as detailed in the table below:
| Points type |
Requirements to be met |
Number of points |
| Study |
- Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies requirement
- Course requirement
- Approved Qualification requirement
- Level of Study requirement
- Place of Study requirement
|
50 |
| Financial |
|
10 |
| English language |
- English language requirement
|
10 |
To successfully apply for a Student visa, you must demonstrate that:
- You have an unconditional offer from an approved sponsoring institution, such as New College Durham. When you apply for a Student visa, you will need to provide your reference number from the Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) which is provided by New College Durham once you have been offered an unconditional place on a course.
- You are taking a course that leads to an approved qualification at an appropriate level of study.
- You have any relevant academic qualifications needed to undertake the course.
- You genuinely intend to study in the UK.
- You can financially support yourself during your studies in the UK.
- You can speak, read, write and understand English to the required standard for the level of course you intend to study.
In addition to this, you will need to demonstrate the following if you are under 18:
- Proof of parental or other legal guardian(s) consent and their relationship to you.
- Suitable care arrangements are in place for you in the UK.
As part of this process, you will need a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies number, known as a CAS number which will be issued to you by New College Durham when we are satisfied you have met all the conditions. A CAS is unique reference number that you will need to include as part of your visa application.
Once you have satisfied the conditions for a CAS below, we will issue you a CAS Statement which details your CAS number. It also includes all the information that we have based the decision on which will help you with your visa application.
Documents assessed by the college before issuing a CAS number:
- Valid passport
- Evidence that you meet the English Language requirement or are exempt from it – please note this will need to be an approved test, taken at an approved test provider: Click here for more about booking and passing a secure English language test (SELT)
- Evidence of previous qualifications that meet the entry requirements for your chosen programme - these must be translated into English by an approved translator
- Successful interview with the course leader of your chosen programme and any other relevant admission criteria for your programme
- Evidence that you meet the financial requirements to live and study in the UK. If you are using a parent(s)/legal guardian(s) bank statements then you must be able to provide your proof of relationship for example birth certificate/adoption certificate which must be translated into English
- Valid Tuberculosis (TB) test certificate showing you do not have TB (if required)
- If you will be under 18 on the date you apply for your visa then you will need to provide an international student consent form completed by your parent(s)/legal guardian(s). You will also need to upload this with your visa application.
- Evidence of your relationship with your parent(s)/legal guardian(s), for example a birth certificate/adoption certificate which must be translated into English.
- 20% course fee deposit before the issue of a CAS number
Useful websites:
The UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA) provides some additional useful information regarding preparing for your visa application – click here.
The Home Office has also put together a guide to supporting documents – click here.
A student application costs £363 for those applying overseas and £490 for applications made in the UK. You must pay the same amount for any dependants.
You will need to pay the Immigration Healthcare Surcharge as part of your application – you can do so online here. Paying the Immigration Health Surcharge gives you access to the UK’s National Health Service (NHS).
