Applying for a UK visa
Under the Points Based System there are 2 different visas available to students:
- Tier 4 General Student Visa: You will need a Tier 4 General Student visa if you intend to study in the UK for more than 6 months.
- Student Visitor Visa: If your course is for less than 6 months and you do not plan to extend your stay or undertake any kind of employment while you are here, you will need a Student Visitor Visa.
Tier 4 General Student Visa
The Tier 4 general student visa is part of the United Kingdom Border Agency Points Based Immigration system. To get permission to come to study in the UK you will need to pass a points-based assessment. You will need 40 points to qualify.
You will obtain 30 points for the Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) sent to you by the University.
You will obtain 10 points if you pass the Maintenance test which shows that you have sufficient money to cover your course fees and living expenses.
Students from certain countries may also be required to attend a Credibility interview. For further details please see the following documents:
CAS
A CAS (Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies) is an electronic reference number which is issued by the University once you have met all academic and financial conditions. Your CAS will be valid for 6 months from the date that it was issued and you can apply for your visa to study in the UK up to 3 months before your programme starts.
The United Kingdom Border Agency (UKBA) only require the CAS number to be included on your visa application form, there is no requirement to print and include your CAS email with the documents you submit as part of your visa application.
Finance requirements (maintenance test)
To enter the UK on a Tier 4 student visa you will need to show that you have enough money to cover the costs of the first year of your course (please see tuition fee pages for details of course costs) and maintenance (accommodation costs and other living expenses).
Essential information
The primary reason for visa rejection is incorrect evidence of funds. Please make sure you read this section carefully and check the UKBA advice on maintenance before submitting your visa.
The University of Hertfordshire is based outside of London. If you are applying for a course lasting 9 months or more, the maximum amount that you will need to show for maintenance is £7,200, which is the equivalent of £800 per month. Please refer to the tuition fee information or your offer letter for tuition fee details.
These funds need to be in your bank account for a minimum of 28 days prior to making your visa application.
Any deposit money or funds paid to the University will be receipted and will count as evidence towards the tuition fee funds required as part of the visa application. Maintenance funds cannot be paid to the University.
Find out more about the finances required to study in the UK.
For the purpose of verifying applicants' maintenance funds under Tier 4 of the points-based system, the UK Border Agency maintains a list of financial institutions in some countries that do not satisfactorily verify financial statements. Full details are available via their website.
Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS)
If you are a non-European Union or European Economic Area national (including Switzerland) and you are planning to undertake postgraduate studies or research which leads to a PhD, Doctorate or Masters degree in the subjects listed below you will have to obtain an Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) certificate before you apply for your UK visa.
|
Postgraduate |
Undergraduate |
|
| MSc Mechanical Engineering (H300) |
MEng Mechanical Engineering | |
| MSc Aerospace Engineering (H400) |
MEng Aerospace Engineering | |
| MSc Automotive Engineering (H330) |
MEng Automotive Engineering |
Your Notification of Certificate of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) will indicate whether or not you are required to obtain an ATAS certificate. Full details about this scheme can be found on the Foreign and Commonwealth Office website
Find out more
Find out more about applying for a Tier 4 student visa
Please be aware that IELTS, TOEFL iBT and PTE are valid for 2 years and must be valid up to the date the CAS is issued.
Please be aware that UK Border Agency requirements change on a regular basis, please see the UKBA website for up to date information.
Student Visitor Visas
If you are coming to the UK to study on a course that is 6-month duration or less you can apply for the Student Visitor visa (SVV) route. The maximum period of leave granted under a SVV is 6 months and you will need to return home to either extend your visa or apply for an alternative route (i.e. Tier 4)
Please note that coming to the UK on a SVV means that you are NOT permitted to work nor are you able to access the National Health Service (you are therefore recommended to obtain health insurance if you are coming to the UK on a SVV).
Find out more about applying for a Student Visitor Visa.
Visa conditions
It is important to be aware, before applying for your UK visa, of the regulations and requirements attached to holding a UK student visa (either Tier 4 or Student Visitor). TO find out more, please see our visa conditions page.
We can help
If you want advice on how to make changes to your current student visa our international student support team will be able to help you. You can contact them by email or call +44 (0) 1707 284800. You may also find some useful information on the UKBA website.