Before you leave home: immigration

This is a brief guide highlighting key points of the immigration process for international students. For more detailed information, please visit www.ukcisa.org.uk or www.ukvisas.gov.uk.

Please note that all institutions are required by law to report to the UK Border Agency (UKBA) any Tier 4 visa holders who do not enrol and all those who do not meet the UKBA attendance requirements.

If you are an international student on a Tier 4 student visa who does not complete enrolment you will be reported to UKBA. If after enrolling you do not attend lectures or meet attendance requirements, you will be reported to UKBA.

If you plan to change your mode of attendance, withdraw or take a break in your studies, you are advised to contact the International Student Advisory Centre (ISAC), immediately for advice.

Does this guidance apply to me?

This immigration guidance does not apply to you if you are a national of the European Economic Area (EEA) or Switzerland – instead read the UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA) 'EEA and Swiss Students'.

You are a national of the EEA if you are a national of Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Republic of Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovak Republic, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden or the UK.

Students from Bulgaria and Romania can find additional information in the UKCISA Guidance Note 'EEA and Swiss Students'.

Please visit www.ukcisa.org.uk for immigration information if you are a:

  • British national (overseas);
  • British overseas citizen;
  • British overseas territories citizen;
  • British protected person; or
  • British subject.

What is the Points Based System (PBS)?

The Points Based System (PBS) is the UK system for managing migration for those non European Economic Area (EEA) nationals wishing to enter the UK for the purpose of work or study. 

PBS was launched in the UK on 29 February 2008, and was phased in throughout 2008–10.

It consists of five tiers, and Tier 4 (General) is the immigration category for students, postgraduate doctors and dentists, and students' union sabbatical officers.

The full background to the PBS is available at www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk.

For the most recent changes to PBS please see the UK Border Agency website or the UK Council for International Student Affairs website.

What do I do about immigration?

If you are a national of a non-EEA country who wants to come to the UK to study for six months or more, you must get entry clearance, with a Tier 4 (General) student visa before you travel to the UK.

If you do not have entry clearance (a Tier 4 (General) student visa), you will be refused entry to the UK and sent home.

Please note:

  • Preparatory short courses
    If you want to study preparatory short courses (such as pre-sessional English) which are below degree level before starting your degree, will need to enter the UK with entry clearance as a Tier 4 (General) student visa holder. This will allow you to extend your visa to progress on to another course of study. Otherwise, you will have to return home to extend your student visa.

    For the most recent changes to PBS please see the UK Border Agency website or the UK Council for International Student Affairs website.
  • Visitors
    There are different types of visitors visas. If you apply for a student visitors visa you will not be able to extend your visa to stay longer in the UK or work part time. If you think you might want to extend your stay or work in the UK then you need to apply for a Tier 4 (General) student visa. Please note that general visitors (not student visitors) are also prohibited from studying.

UKBA Guidance notes

If you are already in the UK or if you are applying from outside the UK, please read the UKBA guidance notes.

The UK Border Agency (UKBA) may change its qualifying criteria from time to time. Kingston University has no control over this, or the actions of any other party, which may affect your ability to study in the UK. You should visit www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk for the latest information.

What level of English language do I need?

English language requirements

Due to a recent UKBA change all applicants/students must now demonstrate their ability to understand and communicate in both written and spoken English as part of their entry requirements. This will be measured using four key components: reading, writing, speaking and listening. The level of competence required will depend upon the type of course you wish to study eg:

Degree level students (NQF level 6 or above) must confirm that you have a minimum level of English at level B2 of the Common European Framework for Languages (CEFR). UKBA states that this is equivalent to Academic IELTS 5.5 and this level must be achieved in all four components (reading, writing, speaking and listening).
UKBA will accept qualifications including Indian Year 12 English (CBSE Board) at 70% or higher, West African Examinations Council at C6 or higher are accepted by UKBA as evidence of CEFR level B2.

Below degree level (NQF level 3–5) for students studying a course below degree level the minimum level of English is CEFR level B1 (Academic IELTS 4.0) in all four components, reading, writing, speaking and listening. All students at this level will have to undertake a secure English language test (SELT). This will include students studying a pre-sessional course before a degree course.

For further information and all other tests and qualifications accepted by Kingston University please see the English language requirements for applicants who require a Tier 4 student visa.

Please note: you may be interviewed by UKBA staff when you arrive at a UK airport without the help of an interpreter to assess whether or not your English language ability is to the standard required by the immigration rules.

View more information from UKBA on English language requirements.

Can I come to the UK before I get a place on a course?

If you have not accepted a place on a course of study and you want to visit UK universities before you make your choice, it may be possible for you to apply for a 'prospective student' visa. As a prospective student you are given permission to enter the UK for a maximum of six months. When you have decided where you want to study, you can apply to switch to a Tier 4 (General) visa from within the UK.

Please note:

  • It is very important that you apply for entry clearance as a 'prospective student', and not as any other kind of visitor. You will be expected to provide evidence that you have made contact with institutions in the UK, for example letters inviting you for interviews in the UK. 'Prospective students' can stay in the UK for up to six months to make arrangements for their studies. If you choose to study with Kingston University, you would be required to apply for a Tier 4 (General) visa before you enrol.
  • Once the enrolment team have seen proof that you have submitted your application (eg receipt of postage), you can enrol and start your studies before your visa has been granted.

Further information can be found at www.ukcisa.org.uk.

What do I need to do to get entry clearance, a student visa under the Tier 4 (General) PBS system of immigration?

Since 31 March 2009, the UKBA has implemented an immigration system, known as the Points Based System (PBS). Under PBS, students are required to meet certain conditions and will need a total of 40 points to extend their student visa.

A maximum of 30 points will be awarded for doing a course at an acceptable level with an approved education provider, also known as a Tier 4 Sponsor. The remaining 10 points will be awarded for having enough money to cover course fees and monthly living costs (also known as maintenance). To calculate how many points you will need you can use the Points Based Calculator.

Please read the UKBA's quick guides for students for more information and please note the most recent immigration changes, details of which are given on this page.

You must also:

  • intend to leave the UK at the end of your studies; and
  • have been offered a place of study at an institution that is included on the register of sponsors. This list confirms all organisations that the UK Border Agency has licensed to sponsor migrant students and to employ migrant workers. Kingston University is on this list and we are rated with Tier 4 Highly Trusted Sponsor (HTS) status.

Please see the UKBA guidance notes for more information.

How do I apply for entry clearance as a student?

For detailed information please see the UKCISA guidance.

Key points

  • Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS): when you have accepted an offer of a place with Kingston University, you will be emailed details of what you need to do about immigration including how to obtain a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS). This is a unique number which ties together you and Kingston University, who then becomes your Tier 4 sponsor (your academic sponsor as opposed to a financial sponsor). Your CAS must not be more than six months old. You will be allocated a CAS number which will be generated electronically. This number and a CAS report giving details relevant to your studies will be automatically sent to UKBA. A copy will be emailed to you, this is not an official document, it is for your information. However, please check that this is correct and include all the documents mentioned, when you submit your Tier 4 application.

    See also What supporting documents should I include with my application?
  • Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS): if you are a postgraduate student and will be studying or researching one of the areas listed by the Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS), you must also have an ATAS clearance certificate. Please visit www.fco.gov.uk/atas for further information and a list of the courses affected. Please note that your CAS will also state if you need to apply for ATAS.
  • The Forms and UKBA guidance: you will need to download and read carefully the UK Border Agency leaflet INF2912 for students. Please note that it contains links to other documents that you need to print off and complete or read carefully:
    • Tier 4 Policy Guidance (this guidance is relevant to both Entry Clearance applications made from abroad and for students who are already in the UK and wish to continue studying)
    • Application form VAF9
    • PBS Migrant guidance  
    • PBS Appendix 8 General student
  • Certificates: You are required to submit proof of the qualification which you used to gain entry to Kingston University. You will need to provide original certificates, the same as stated in the CAS statement.
  • Financial proof: please see the What supporting documents should I include with my application? and What evidence do I need from the bank or building society or financial institution? sections.
  • Points you need to claim:
    • 30 points for 'attributes' also referred to as your 'Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies' and
    • 10 points for 'maintenance'. 

Part of the entry clearance application procedure will involved attending an appointment to give your fingerprints and have your photograph taken.

Please note you have to pay a fee for an entry clearance/visa application, see the  IFN29 leaflet.

Warning: You are responsible for the information given on your entry clearance/visa application to study in the UK and therefore do not allow an agent to send off your application unless you have checked and agreed the information provided. If incorrect or misleading information is submitted the UKBA will penalise you, this could be a ban preventing your entry to the UK for 10 years.

Important notice: Do not apply for your Tier 4 student visa more than three months in advance of your course start date.

If you receive your CAS statement earlier than this, please do not use it until you are within three months of the start date of your course or your visa will be refused.

To find out more information including processing times visit the UKvisas website.

Contact your local British Embassy or Consulate General in your home country. To find the nearest one, visit the UKvisas website or the FCO website.

Please see the UKBA guidance notes for more information and also the UKCISA information sheet for full details.

What supporting documents should I include with my application?

You should include all the documents required by UKBA to prove that you qualify for entry to the UK as a student. If you do not, your application will be refused.

Your 40 points will be based on the following:

  • Confirmation of a unique Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) number from your approved education provider (Kingston University), and the documents used to obtain this.

    To get a CAS number you will need to have been made an unconditional offer from Kingston University. Our Applicant Services department will send you an email asking if you need a CAS. You will be asked to provide a copy of your passport (main page) if it has not already been collected and confirmation/evidence of any relevant tuition fees and/or accommodation fees paid to date ie copy of a transaction showing a bank transfer to our Credit Control department. Confirmation of your CAS number will be provided to you in an email and you will need to confirm the same CAS number on your visa application form.

    Study Abroad students will receive confirmation of CAS once they have been offered and have accepted their place on the Study Abroad programme. The CAS number will be confirmed in an email from the European and Study Abroad Office.

  • Bank statements confirming that you have enough money to cover your tuition fees for the first year and a specific amount of money for living costs, also referred to as maintenaince, see below. Please note that you must be able to prove that the money has been in your or your parents account for 28 days. Do not submit your Tier 4 application unless you meet this requirement or you visa will be refused.

    If your studies are wholly funded by an official financial sponsor, you do not have to provide separate evidence of your savings. See the UKBA definition of an official financial sponsor, view the Tier 4 policy guidance PDF, scroll down to paragraph 143 and 228). You just have to provide a letter from your financial sponsor in which they confirm that they will pay for your tuition fees and living costs. If you are partly funded by an official financial sponsor, you need a letter from them about the element of your costs they are paying for, but you also need to show, through your bank statements, loans or letter from your bank or a regulated financial institution, that you can meet the remainder of the amount set out in the policy guidance.

    Please note the amount of money you need to show for your living costs will depend upon the length of your course and whether or not you are studying in inner London or outer London.

    Kingston University is classed as outer London unless you will be studying at the Roehampton Vale campus (some engineering courses). So, unless you are studying at Roehampton Vale the required amount of maintenance you need to show in your or your parents bank account for 28 days will be £5,400. For those students studying at Roehampton Vale you will have to show £7,200 for 28 days.

See the UKBA's quick guides for students for more information.

What evidence do I need from the bank or building society or financial institution?

The UKBA Policy Guidance gives very precise instructions about the evidence you must produce. Follow the instructions strictly or you will not meet the financial requirements.

You can choose to produce statements, a building society passbook, a letter from the bank or a letter from the financial institution (produce whichever one of those four things is appropriate for your situation). Your evidence must be dated no more than one month before the date you make your immigration application.

If you are producing a letter from a bank or financial institution, remember that the letter must confirm you have had the right amount for the 28 days leading up to the date on the letter.

Will I need to provide biometric information?

Since April 2008 you have been required to provide biometric information as part of the visa application process. This consists of scans of all 10 of your fingers and a full-face digital photograph.

You will have to go to the nearest visa application centre (VAC) in person to provide the biometric information or, in those countries where there is no VAC, then go to the British mission. Your visa application will not be processed until you have provided the necessary biometric information.

The finger scans are electronic so staff do not need to use any ink, liquid or chemicals. You will have your digital photograph taken at the same time. The whole procedure should take no more than five minutes to complete.

You should make sure that you do not have any decoration (such as henna), or any cuts or other markings on your fingertips before having your finger scans. If you have any cuts and bruises on your face, make sure they have healed or disappeared before you have your photograph taken. Digital photographs must be of your full face so you should not wear sunglasses, a hat or any other head covering (unless you wear it for cultural or religious reasons, in which case your face still must not be covered).

For further information, please read the UK Border Agency photograph guidance (PDF).

Children under the age of five years do not need to provide biometric information as part of the application process.

What if I am studying for less than six months?

If you are coming to study for six months or less, you can choose to come to the UK on a student visitor visa rather than a student visa.

If you are sure that you do not want to work or that you will not want to apply to study in the UK for longer than six months then you can apply for a student visitor visa.

If you are not a visa national (please check the list of visa national countries), then you can apply for the student visitor visa at your port of entry, ie at the airport but please note you will not have the right of appeal within the UK if you are refused entry, you would have to return home.

If you are in any doubt about working or studying for longer than six months, you are advised to apply for a Tier 4 student visa as there are more restrictions on 'student visitors':

  • 'Student visitors' are not allowed to do any work (even as part of a course).
  • 'Student visitors' are not allowed to apply to spend more time in the UK (even if your studies are extended).

Do I need TB screening?

Applicants for UK visas valid for longer than six months from certain countries now require a certificate to show that they are free from infectious pulmonary tuberculosis (TB):

  • Bangladesh
  • Ghana (which also takes applications from Burkina Faso, Cote d'Ivoire, Togo and Niger)
  • Kenya (which also takes applications from residents of Eritrea, Somalia, Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda, Uganda (visitor applications) and Tanzania)
  • Pakistan
  • Sudan
  • Thailand (which also takes applications from Cambodia and Laos)

If you are a national of a TB-endemic country, we suggest contacting your local British Embassy or British High Commission to check the likelihood of being screened upon arrival in the UK. They may advise being screened before travelling to the UK, but you would need to confirm this before travelling.

Please visit the UKVisas website for more information.

What if I have been studying at a different institution in the UK and want to extend my student visa to study at Kingston University?

This will depend on when you applied for your current visa. The important date is 5 October 2009.

Before 5 October 2009

If you applied for your current student visa before this date then you can enrol and start your studies with Kingston providing you notify UKBA of the change. For further information please see the following:

After 5 October 2009

If you applied for your current student visa after this date, in accordance with immigration law, Kingston University will only allow you to enrol and start your studies after you have made a new Tier 4 general visa application. You will need to provide proof that you have submitted your Tier 4 application.

Please also note that there are immigration conditions relating to moving from one institution to another, eg you must have completed the previous course of study to be eligible for the lower maintenance, see the UKBA guidance notes and the UKCISA website for further information on the funds you must show to be eligible for a Tier 4 general visa. If you are changing from another institution to Kingston, you will be advised by one of the International Students Advisers (ISAs) during your enrolment process. 

What happens if I change my programme of study while I am in the UK?

We advise you to contact the International Student Advisory Centre if your programme of study changes, ie if you:

  • change institution;
  • change course; or
  • stop studying.

Students must notify the UKBA of any changes in their study programme, ie if you change institution or stop studying, either by email or by applying for a new Tier 4 visa. This will depend on when you applied for/extended your current visa to study in the UK. Please see the information on the UKBA website and below. The UKBA also asks universities for information on specific students including monitoring attendance which is obligatory for students who applied for Tier 4 on or after 22 February 2010.

All education providers have a duty to inform the UKBA if a student changes institution or does not attend their course.

If a student's leave is based on an application made on or after 5 October 2009 who now wants to move to a different Tier 4 sponsor, then providing this is to study with a Highly Trusted Sponsor (HTS) the student can change but Kingston University, which does have HTS status, requires that the student has made a new application for leave under Tier 4, using a CAS from Kingston. The student can start studying with Kingston before they have been granted a new Tier 4 visa.

Please contact the International Student Advisory Centre for further information.

Where can I find out more?

For more detailed information, visit:

 

Essential Guide

Pre-arrival guideDownload our Essential Guide for International Students (PDF) for everything you need to know about coming to study in the UK.

Useful links