Tier 4 is part of the UK visas and immigration’s points based system for non-EEA students who wish to study in the UK. To make a successful application you must meet the full requirements of the immigration rules and achieve 40 points.
You will obtain 30 points for the Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) sent to you by the University.
You will obtain 10 points for maintenance, the financial requirements which show you have sufficient money to cover your course fees and living expenses.
However as well as achieving 40 points, students may also be asked to attend an interview to assess their credibility as a student.
A Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) is an electronic document which contains a unique reference number. The CAS is issued to you by the University, and you must use the reference number when applying for a Tier 4 visa.
You need to have a CAS issued to you before you make a Tier 4 (General) student visa application. A CAS is valid for 6 months and can only be used once.
However, you can only apply for a Tier 4 visa up to 3 months before the course start date.
To receive your CAS the following documents are required by the University:
Your CAS will contain the University’s sponsor license number (SLN), all of your personal information, your course details, details of your qualifications that the University assessed to make you an offer to study and your course fees (including how much you have already paid to the University). You will need all of this information to complete your Tier 4 visa application form.
It is important that you check your CAS for any errors – including spelling mistakes. Personal details on your CAS (name, date of birth, nationality, gender, country of birth) must match the details in your current passport.
In order to apply for a Tier 4 visa you will need to show that you have enough money to cover your first year’s tuition fees and to support yourself (and any dependants) during your studies (maintenance).
Meeting the financial requirements for a Tier 4 visa makes up 10 points of the 40 points required, so it’s important that you understand exactly which financial documents to submit with your visa application.
If you are applying for a course lasting 9 months or more, the maximum amount that you will need to show for maintenance is £11,385 which is the equivalent of £1,265 per month. These funds need to be in your bank account for a minimum of 28 days prior to making your visa application.
Please read our guide to the Tier 4 financial requirements. Our guide will advise you on the following areas:
Whether you are applying from overseas or from the UK, credibility interviews are part of the Tier 4 visa application process.
The purpose of a credibility interview is to ascertain that a student’s intentions to study in the UK are genuine. During the interview you will also be expected to demonstrate that your English language ability is sufficient to follow your chosen course and level of study.
One of the most common reasons that a Tier 4 visa is refused is because the applicant does not show that they either have the correct amount of funds, or they do not provide the correct financial documentation.
Please read our Credibility Guide below. Our guide will advise you on the following areas:
