Enrolment – International Students

All of the information provided here is written as a guide only as the requirements for Visas are subject to frequent change. While we try to keep information on this page as accurate as possible, you should visit the UKBA for up-to-date information.

Do I need a visa to study on one of your courses?

If you are a non-European Union (EU) or European Economic Area (EEA) Student, it is likely that you will need to apply for entry clearance to enter the UK.  If you would like to find out if you will need a visa, go here and complete the questionnaire.

How do I qualify to travel to the UK as a student?

You must be able to show that you have been accepted on a course of study at an educational establishment that is on the UKBA’s register of sponsors. You must be able to show that you are going to follow:

• a recognised full-time degree course, or
• a course run during the week involving at least 15 hours of organised daytime study each week, or
• a full-time course at an independent fee-paying school

You must also:

• be able to pay for your course and support yourself and any dependants, and live in the UK without working or needing any help from public funds, and
• intend to leave the UK when you complete your studies.

How do I apply for a visa?

You will need to fill in a visa application form (VAF 1). This form is available here

or you can get one free of charge from your nearest British mission overseas where there is a visa section.

You must apply for your visa in the country of which you are a national or where you legally live.

You can apply in a number of ways, for example by post, by courier, in person and online.

What will I need to make my application?

You will need the following:

• An Application form which you have filled in correctly.
• Your passport or travel document.
• A recent passport-sized (45mm x 35mm), colour photograph of yourself.
  This should be:
  • taken against a light coloured background
  • clear and of good quality, and not framed or backed
  • printed on normal photographic paper, and
  • full face and without sunglasses, hat or other head covering unless you wear this for cultural or religious reasons
• The visa fee. This cannot be refunded and you must normally pay it in the local currency of the country where you are applying.
• Supporting documents relevant to your application.

What supporting documents should I include with my application?

You should include all the documents you can to show that you qualify for entry to the UK as a student. If you do not, your application may be refused.
As a guide, you should include:

• any relevant diplomas or educational certificates that you have
• a letter from the university, college or school confirming that you have been accepted on a course of study in the UK, and a statement of charges for the course
• evidence of government sponsorship (if appropriate)
• bank statements, payslips or other evidence to show that you can pay for your stay and your course of studies in the UK. Evidence of your available funds must be in your bank account for 28 days pior to your application date.  Your balance must not fall below the amount that is needed to cover your tuition and living expenses.
• if you are being privately sponsored (for example, by a college in the UK) you should provide a letter from your sponsor giving details of how they will support you during your studies, and evidence that they can do so.

UKBA guidance on completing your application can be found here

Your application will be refused if any of the documents are forged.

What will happen when I make my application?

The Entry Clearance Officer will try to make a decision using your application form and the supporting documents you have provided. If this is not possible, they will need to interview you.

Please check your visa when you get it. You should make sure that:

• your personal details are correct
• it correctly states the purpose for which you want to come to the UK, and
• it is valid for the date on which you want to travel. (You can ask for it to be post-dated for up to three months if you do not plan to travel immediately.)

If you think there is anything wrong with your visa, contact the visa section immediately.

Can I extend my stay as a student?

If you enter the UK with a student visa or prospective student visa, or if you want to study on a course at degree level or higher, you can apply to the Immigration and Nationality Directorate, which is part of the Home Office. (Contact details are at end of this guidance.) The Immigration and Nationality Directorate will charge you a fee for any extension of your stay.

The maximum period of time that a student can stay in the UK on short courses one after the other, below degree level, is two years.
If you do not enter the UK with a student or prospective student visa, or you are not studying on a course at degree level course or higher, you will not be allowed to extend your stay

Can I go to the UK to arrange my studies?

You can travel to the UK as a prospective student for up to six months to arrange your studies. You will need to show that:

• you intend to enrol on a course of study within six months of arriving in the UK
• you can pay for your course, support yourself and your dependants, and live without working or needing any help from public funds, and
• you intend to leave the UK when you finish your studies or when your permission to stay ends if you do not qualify to stay in the UK as a student.

Note: you should not buy a ticket, or pay all or part of the cost of a study course if your visa application being delayed or refused would mean that you lost your money.

Can I get medical treatment?

If you come from a country with a health-care agreement with the United Kingdom, or you are enrolled on a course for six months or more, you may be able to get medical treatment on the National Health Service (NHS).
Short-term students who are here for less than six months and visitors are not entitled to free medical treatment, and you will be charged for any treatment you receive.  Please make sure you have enough health insurance to cover your stay.  You can get more information from the Department of Health

Do I have to register with the police?

If you have to register with the police, this requirement will be stamped in your passport. You must register within seven days of arriving in the United Kingdom.

In Cardiff, you should report to the following officer at the police station:

You can register at the police station:
From 9.30 am to 12.00 pm and 1.00 pm to 3.30pm (3.00 pm on Friday).

It is always advisable to telephone before making the journey to check that you can be seen.

Tel. No. 02920 77 42 70