Visas, immigration and CAS
In order to study in the UK you'll need to meet the various visa and immigration conditions outlined by the Home Office.
Understanding your visa
If you're an international student, you must understand and comply with the conditions set out in your visa. Breaching your visa conditions could have serious consequences for your immigration status and could affect your right to study in the UK.
You can find the required guidance for securing your CAS and Student Route visa, as well as FAQs on placements.
Student Route visas
In order to study in the UK you'll need to meet the various visa and immigration conditions outlined by the Home Office. But before you apply for your Student Route visa, you must request a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS).
Once you have received a CAS, you can then apply for a student visa. Before making your application, read the information on the UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA) website. You'll also get guidance from our specialist international team on the following CAS and Applying for your visa pages.
Placement year FAQs
It is possible to add a placement year into your degree. However, there are some rules you must follow.
Graduate route FAQs
A Graduate visa gives you permission to stay in the UK for at least 2 years after successfully completing a course in the UK.
You must be in the UK when you apply for a Graduate visa.
Immigration updates
The UK government published the latest statement of changes on 14th October 2025. You can read the statement in full here.
The UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA) has also posted a news article on its website in response to the statement.
There are two main changes that will affect international students:
From 1 January 2027
The length of permission granted under the Graduate route will change for some applicants.
- Bachelor’s or Master’s Graduates
If you hold Student permission in the UK and successfully complete an eligible UK bachelor’s or master’s degree, your Graduate route application will grant 18 months of permission (instead of the current two years) if you apply on or after 1 January 2027. Applications made before this date will not be affected. - PhD and Doctoral Graduates
If you successfully complete a PhD or other doctoral qualification, there is no change. You will continue to receive three years of permission under the Graduate route.
These changes were outlined in the Immigration White Paper (May 2025) and will only apply to applications submitted on or after 1 January 2027.
From 11 November 2025
The amount of money you need to show as evidence of meeting the maintenance requirement under the Student route will increase for those studying in London.
- New maintenance amount: £1,529 per month (up to a maximum of 9 months)
- Accommodation offset: The maximum amount you can deduct for accommodation costs will also rise to £1,529.
These changes apply to applications made under the Student route on or after 11 November 2025. For applications made before 11 November 2025, the current amount of maintenance still applies: £1,483 per month up to 9 months (total £13,347).
Got a question?
Our international team is always happy to help. Send us a message and the appropriate department will email or call you back.
