Applying for a Visa to Study

in the UK

Full Time Study

The UK Home Office uses a Points Based System for applications to work or study in the UK. Full
time students studying a course longer than 6 months should apply for a Tier 4 (General) student
visa.

If you intend to study on a full time course which 6 months or less, you will need to apply for a
Student Visitor visa. Please see our leaflet called ‘Visiting the UK to study’.

What do I need to do next?

If you have been offered a place on a course at Cranfield University, then you should take steps
to ensure that you have met all of the conditions of your offer. The University will be unable to
support your visa application until you have met all of these conditions and accepted your place
on the course. Where conditions of offer include the receipt of documentation and evidence (e.g.
certified copies of degree certificates and transcripts), you should provide these to us as soon as
possible.

Once you have accepted your place and met all of the conditions of your offer then the University
will provide you with a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) number. We will send you a
CAS document by email which will include the CAS number and details relating to your course
which you may need to complete your visa application.

Please be aware that we cannot issue a CAS number to you until 6 months before your
proposed start date.

Further to this you cannot apply for your Tier 4 (General) student visa until 3 months before
your proposed start date.

Already in the UK on a Tier 4 (General) student visa?

You cannot register on a Tier 4 (General) student visa granted for another institution. Before you
can register on your Cranfield course you must have made an application for a Tier 4 (General)
student visa with a CAS number issued by Cranfield University, and be able to provide evidence
that the application has been made.

Our Tier 4 Sponsor License number is H4XU0T7G1 1

Part Time Study

Under the UK’s immigration rules, part time international students are not eligible for a Tier 4
(General) student visa. The University is unable therefore to provide you with a Confirmation of
Acceptance for Studies (CAS). You should check whether you require a visa on the UK Visas and
Immigration website.

Most part-time international students will require a Short-term study visa, which must be applied for
from your home country (you cannot apply from within the UK) and provides six months entry
clearance to study in the UK. It is important to note that you will not be able to work on this visa,
extend the visa from within the UK, or switch into another visa category.

Can I study on another UK visitor visa?

It is recommended that you apply for a Short-term student visa before you enter the UK to start
your course. Other visitor visa entry routes do not specifically permit study in the UK.

Useful Links

 UK Visas and Immigration website - www.gov.uk/visas-immigration

 UKCISA (UK Council for International Student Affairs) - www.ukcisa.org.uk
 Cranfield web pages - www.cranfield.ac.uk/about/international/visas-and-immigration

Our Tier 4 Sponsor License number is H4XU0T7G1 2