Immigration law in the UK can be complex. However, we’re here to help you understand your rights and responsibilities as an international student.
In the UK, it is illegal to give immigration advice unless you are fully trained and regulated by the Office of Immigration Services Commissioner (OISC). It is important that you seek professional advice before undertaking any changes or actions.
To obtain a Student visa, you must meet the criteria for the application. We will request this as part of your application to study before a Confirmation of Acceptance of Study (CAS) is issued. Please be aware that you are required to pay a minimum of 50% of tuition fees prior to CAS being issued.
Which visa will I need?
If your programme is longer than six months, you will need a Student visa.
If you are going to study on an 11-month English language only programme, you will need to apply for the Short-term study visa.
If your programme is up to six months, you can apply for a Visitor visa. Please be aware that a Visitor visa does not allow you to:
extend your stay in the UK to study longer
switch into another immigration category in the UK
work whilst in the UK
If you already have a valid visa in the UK, this may allow you to study or to switch to a Student visa from within the UK. When you make your application to Edge Hill, please provide a copy of your current visa and we will advise as to whether you can use this to study.
Examples of visas which allow study in the UK include, but are not limited to:
Indefinite leave to remain
PBS dependent visa
Ancestry visa
Refugee
Asylum seeker
How do I apply for a visa?
Visa nationals
Visa nationals are those from specific countries who must apply for a visa to come to the UK prior to arrival. If a visa national is coming to the UK for less than six months, they must still apply for a visa prior to departure and should do this at a visa application centre in the country in which they reside. You should do this as soon as you received your Visa Acceptance Letter from Edge Hill University, but not more than three months before the date you plan to travel to the UK.
To see a list of visa nationals, please visit the UKVI webpage detailing the immigration rule with the list.
Non-visa nationals
If you are a non-visa national, you can apply from your home country before travelling to the UK, or you can get a Visitor visa at the port of entry. We recommend applying for your visa before you travel. Please note that if you are applying for the 11-month Short-term study visa, you must apply for prior entry clearance as this cannot be requested upon arrival to the UK.
You must ensure that you carry your acceptance letter from Edge Hill University and that you do not travel through the Republic of Ireland, as this is part of the common travel area and you will not be subjected to immigration check when you enter the UK.
If you can use the eGates on arrival, then you will need to provide evidence of your date of entry to the UK to the Compliance and Immigration Manager.
You should inform Edge Hill University immediately if your visa is refused. Please forward the full refusal notice that has been issued to you to the International Office. [email protected]
You may be given the right of an administrative review by the UKVI.
An administrative review means your application is considered by another UKVI officer who was not involved in the initial decision. An administrative review is free and must be requested within 28 days of the refusal notice being issued. Edge Hill University may be able to support you through an administrative review, depending on the reasons you were refused initially. Therefore, please do keep the international office informed.
In some instances an administrative review may not be the best course of action due to the time a review can take or the situation of your refusal, in these cases Edge Hill will advise you whether a new application could be submitted.
How do I extend my visa?
Most students have no problems during their studies and are able to complete their programme on time. However, students may occasionally face problems that interrupt their studies or cause issues and delays for the student programme. Some students may have to re-sit exams, repeat a year of study, or ask for special consideration due to personal issues.
For Student visas, please contact the compliance and immigration manager in the first instance as there may be visa implications.
For all enrolled students, there is information regarding resits and programme extensions on the Academic Registry webpage. Alternatively, call in to the Student Administration Centre for advice.
What if I already have a visa?
If you already have a valid visa in the UK, this may allow you to study or to switch to a Student visa from within the UK. When you make your application to study, please provide a copy of your current visa and we will provide individual advice as to whether you can use this to study or if you are able to switch visas from within the UK.
Examples of visas which allow study in the UK include, but are not limited to:
Indefinite leave to remain
PBS dependent visa
Ancestry visa
Refugee
Asylum seeker
Maintenance
In order to apply for a student visa, UK visas and immigration (UKVI) require evidence that you have enough money to support yourself while studying in the UK, including your tuition fees and living costs. This is referred to as ‘maintenance’.
When applying for a Student visa you will need to show maintenance for both your tuition fees and living costs.
Tuition fees
You are required to show the first year’s programme fee (if the programme is on year or less you will be require to show the full fee).
Living costs
You are required to show a monthly living costs amount up to a maximum of nine months.
Evidence of finances
The UKVI will only accept certain documents to show you have sufficient finance for your studies in the UK. Most students show a bank or building society statement or confirmation letter from the bank. This can be from a personal account, or an account belonging to a parent or legal guardian. If you are providing a bank statement as evidence of funds it must show the following:
Your name or your parent/guardian’s name(s)
The account number
The date of the statement, which must be dated within one calendar month prior to the date of application
The financial institution’s name and logo
The amount of money available. This should be at the required amount for at least 28 days, and the money should still be available to you at the time of application and when your application is being considered
The statement can be no older than 31 days on the date of visa application
Other documents such as building society pass book, letter from bank/building society/financial institution confirming funds or a loan letter if you are in the UK are acceptable. For more information on these documents please see the gov.uk webpage.
If you are submitting your parents’ or legal guardian’s financial documents, you must also include one of the following original documents and translation if necessary:
Your birth certificate. Make sure your parents’ names are the same on the birth certificate as the bank statement. If they are not, provide evidence of why, for example, a marriage certificate
Certificate of adoption showing names of both parents or legal guardian
Court document naming the legal guardian.
Your parents or guardian should also provide a letter confirming the following:
Their name
The relationship between you and them
The amount of money available to you. Ideally, this should be the same as on their bank statement
That they give consent to the money being used for your education in the UK
Please note: the UKVI does not accept financial evidence from certain financial institutions in certain countries, before submitting any financial documents please ensure they are approved by the UKVI. Visit the UKVI webpage for more information.
Sponsored students
you are sponsored by Edge Hill University for your tuition and maintenance, you do not need to show any further evidence to the UKVI as this will be stated on your CAS. Please note if you are sponsored as a graduate teaching assistant for doctoral studies and the scholarship does not cover full living costs, then you will be required to demonstrate the shortfall through personal finances.
If you are sponsored by an official sponsor, for example your home government, the British Council, an international organization, international company, university or independent school, you will need to provide evidence of this. The evidence must be in the form of a letter with the following details:
Your name
The name and contact details of your official sponsor
The date of the letter
The length of sponsorship
The amount of money the sponsor is giving you, or a statement saying that your official sponsor will cover all your tuition and maintenance costs.
If your sponsor only cover part of your tuition/maintenance costs you will need to provide evidence for the remaining amount, for example personal bank statements.
If you have studied in the UK, you will need to provide copies of all previous visas and Confirmations of Acceptance of Study (CAS). Edge Hill will then provide you with further guidance.
Please be aware that the UKVI have set time limits as to how long you can be sponsored as on a Student visa. If below degree level, you can study for a maximum of two years. At degree level (undergraduate), you are limited to five years studying in the UK.
TB testing
Students from certain countries studying at Edge Hill for a programme of six months or more must be tested for Tuberculosis before they arrive. For more information and a list of the countries where you need a TB test to enter the UK, please click here.
Academic qualifications
If your course is below degree level, then you will be required to submit any academic qualifications which have been used to gain entry to Edge Hill University with your visa application, as listed on your CAS. If you are unsure which qualification(s) you will need to submit, please email the International Office.
English language requirements
All applicants for the International Foundation Programme (and for all courses below degree-level) are required to provide a Secure English Language Test (SELT). These are the only UKVI approved tests.
For all undergraduate and higher programmes (RQF level 6 or above), you may use any of the Edge Hill University accepted English language qualifications at the required level, available on our Entry Requirements page. You may be exempt if you are from a UKVI defined majority English speaking country or have a qualification that is the equivalent of a UK bachelor’s degree from a majority English speaking county
Other qualifications can be considered by Edge Hill University on an individual basis along with your application. If you have any questions regarding this, please contact us using the enquiry form.
Student visa credibility interviews
Student visa credibility interviews take place both within and outside the UK and form one part of the visa application process. You will be sent an email asking you to attend an interview as part of the application process. Please ensure that you are checking your emails regularly (including your junk/spam folder).
During the interviews, a member of the Home Office will ask you a series of questions about your course, where you want to study, and your reasons for studying in the UK.
Interviews are conducted in English and possibly by via video link. The report of your interview will be sent to either your Caseworker or the Entry Clearance Officer who will make a decision about your visa application.
The Entry Clearance Officer must be satisfied that you are a genuine student, and that your English language ability is at the correct level, otherwise you might be called for a further interview and/or your entry clearance application may be refused.
The Home Office advises that this new interview process is designed to detect potential abuse of the visa system – not to trip up genuine students. You will, however, need to talk in detail about research into other countries (including your own), other universities and other courses. You must explain why the UK, Edge Hill, and your course were chosen and why the others were not chosen. Your answers must be individual. The UKVI will dismiss generic statements that anyone could Google and repeat.
The interviewer will also be checking your ability to converse in English. If there is any issue with hearing them clearly including via the video link, you should ensure that you raise this so that they are aware that it is a technical issue not one of comprehension.
Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS)
Student visa applicants studying a programme which has a duration of longer than 6 months are required to pay the IHS. This is due to increase in October 2020 to £470 per year (£235 for any period of time up to six months), this is calculated against the length of leave granted not the length of the programme.
Academic progression is an important part of the Student visa application, and it will dictate whether you can make your visa application in the UK.
If you make your Student visa application from inside the UK, your new period of studies must represent academic progression from your studies in the UK to date.
Academic progression means that:
you have successfully completed (meaning achieved the award for) the most recent programme of study in the UK for which you were given a Student visa
your new course is at a higher level than your previous programme OR complementary study (this means it must be a specialisation of your previous studies, or a new programme which, combined with previous studies, will allow you to achieve your career goals).
You do not need to show academic progression if:
you are making a student application from outside the UK
you are applying to resit and exam or repeat a course, or you have previously resat an exam or repeated a course, and you need extra time to complete your programme
you are applying for more time to complete your PhD for which you were last granted a student visa (including at a new sponsor)
you are applying to undertake a role as a Sabbatical Officer
you are applying under the Doctorate Extension Scheme (DES)
Students who are applying to move to a higher level on certain integrated programmes do not need to have successfully completed their most recent programme to demonstrate academic progression.
The University will assess whether you meet the academic progression requirements before they issue you with a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS). Please note that for applications outside the UK, academic progression must still be demonstrated for credibility grounds in order to demonstrate that you are a genuine student.
Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS)
ATAS is required by all international students hoping to study a postgraduate qualification in certain sensitive subjects. The need for ATAS is not limited to Student visas and is also required by those with existing immigration permissions.
You will be informed upon application to Edge Hill University if you need to apply for an ATAS certificate. The ATAS application must be made before the CAS can be issued.
Keep your contact details with the University up-to-date, including your address, phone number and email address. This includes your term time and home address
Provide the University with a copy of your passport and visa. You must keep this updated in case of renewal or extension
Attend all contact points including classes, lectures, seminars, and reply to all emails sent to you by the Compliance and Immigration Manager.
I required, seek visa advice in timely manner from the Compliance and Immigration Manager.
Ensure that you leave the UK or apply to extend your stay before the expiry date of your current visa
As your Sponsor, Edge Hill University has certain responsibilities, referred to as sponsor duties, for Student visas and all visa-controlled students.
Recording duties
For all visa-controlled students at the University, we must keep a record of:
your current address, email and telephone number
your current visa and passport
your engagement with your course via classes, lecturers, seminars or other activities (this only applies to Student visas).
Reporting duties
For those on a Student visa, the University is required to report the following to the UKVI (Home Office):
If you fail to enrol with the University by the latest enrolment date specified on your CAS.
If you change your programme of study with Edge Hill University. Under some circumstances you may not be able to change your programme, or this may require a new visa application. Please contact the International Office if you wish to change your programme of study.
If you do not fully engage with your studies. The University must report this and withdraw your sponsorship.
If you withdraw or are withdrawn from your programme of studies. If you are withdrawn you will be given five working days to appeal this decision. If you do appeal, this will not be reported until a decision has been made on the appeal.
If you change the location of your programme. Edge Hill University only has one campus which those on a Student visa can study on. Therefore, this only applies if you are on a placement.
Your engagement
Edge Hill University is required to monitor all those on a Student visa to ensure that they are engaging with their programme of studies.
We expect you to attend all of your classes, lectures and seminars each week and we expect all students to live within commutable distance from Edge Hill University.
It is your responsibility to inform your academic department and the International Office if you are unable to attend due to illness or other unexpected circumstances.
Taught students
Each faculty has an engagement policy that you will need to follow. The faculty will contact the Compliance and Immigration Manager if they have any concerns.
Research (including Masters dissertation)
Your supervisory tutor will contact the Graduate School and the Compliance and Immigration Manager if they have any concerns with your engagement with your research.
Many international students at Edge Hill University choose to travel to other European countries during their studies. If you are a student who does not hold an EU/EEA passport, you may need to apply for a visa prior to travelling to other European Countries from the UK.
What is a Schengen visa?
A Schengen visa will allow you to travel to all countries in the Schengen zone. For a list of countries in the Schengen zone please click here.
Types of Schengen visa:
Short-stay tourist visa
Airport Transit visa
Transit visa
If you are planning on visit the country and not just travelling through you will require the short-stay tourist visa.
Where can I apply for a Schengen visa?
If you are visiting one country in the Schengen zone, you should apply to their Embassy in the UK.
If you are visiting several countries in the Schengen zone, you should apply to the Embassy of your ‘main destination‘, which is the country you plan on spending the most time in during your travels.
If you are travelling to several countries in the Schengen zone but do not have a main destination, you should apply to the embassy of the country which you will first enter/visit.
Once you have decided which country’s embassy you should make your application to, please visit their embassy’s website for more information and advice regarding the application process. Many countries will use a third party organisation to assist with the processing of visa application such as VFS, please check the information on the embassy website carefully.
What supporting documents will I need?
You will need the following to apply for your Schengen visa:
A valid passport with a blank page for the visa to be affixed.
Evidence of your residence in the UK. This would usually be your visa in your passport or BRP card if you have one.
A completed application form. This may be completed online depending on the country you are applying to.
Recent photograph(s). This can vary depending on the country you are applying to.
Proof of the purpose of your visit. This could be an invitation letter from friends, a conference booking, provisional travel bookings and others.
Evidence of sufficient money. You have to show you can support yourself during your trip. There is no set amount to show, but Austria and The Netherlands suggest £30 a day. However, this is a low estimate and you may want to have extra funds available, including approximately £40 a day. Evidence can be in the form of bank statements or credit card statements showing the available limit. Some countries may accept cash funds.
Proof of medical insurance for your trip.
Evidence of student status. You should request a letter from either the International Office or the Student Information Centre confirming your student status and that you are required to return to studies after visiting the Schengen area.
You must check that your current student visa has enough time remaining to allow you to return to the UK after your trip. Most Schengen countries require a specific period of leave remaining on your student visa beyond the trip for which the Schengen visa is sought.
Visa fee. This can vary from country to country. Most will require you to pay in cash (usually Pounds Sterling or Euros in some cases) or postal orders.
A copy of all of the above documentation. Some embassies require a copy to be submitted but you should also keep a copy for yourself.
How long is the application process?
It is important to plan ahead and ensure that you are leaving sufficient time to make an application so you receive the visa before you intend to travel. You should apply for your Schengen visa as soon as the embassy you are applying to allows. Please check this carefully as this varies from country to country.
Depending on your nationality and other factors (including volume of applications, particularly as busy time of year such as Christmas), the process can take a few day to several weeks. Please check the embassy website for the country you are applying to for further information.
Some countries will require you to submit the application in person and return to collect your passport/visa at a later date. Please ensure you leave sufficient time and plan ahead for this as you may be required to travel directly to the embassy.
During your time in the UK, a family member or friend may wish to visit you for events such as your graduation. If they intend on coming to the UK for a period of less than six months, they may qualify to come as a standard visitor. If they are a visa national, it is compulsory for the application for entry clearance to be made before they travel to the UK.
If you wish to support their application, please contact the International Office for more information.
Can I bring a dependant to the UK?
In order to be eligible to bring a dependant to the UK, one of the following must apply:
You are a government sponsored student on a programme (undergraduate or Postgraduate level) that lasts longer than six months
You are studying, or have an unconditional firm offer for a programme at Edge Hill University at level 7 or above which lasts longer than nine months. These are Postgraduate (Masters) or PhD level qualifications
You are a Doctorate Extension Scheme student
Which family members can come as dependants?
A dependant is either:
Your husband, wife or civil partner
Your unmarried or same-sex partner
Your child under 18 years old, including if they were born in the UK during your stay. In order to bring your child, both parents must be travelling to the UK unless there are extenuating circumstance as to why this is not possible.
Evidence will be required as part of the Dependant visa application to prove that the individual is your dependant. An example of acceptable evidence is a marriage certificate.
What are the visa requirements?
If you are eligible to bring dependants, each dependant must evidence that they have a certain amount of money to support themselves while in the UK. This is currently set at £680 per month (outside of London) for the duration of their leave up to a maximum of nine months.
If you are on a one year programme, this means that each dependant must evidence that they have access to £6120 living costs. These funds must be held within a bank account for at least 28 consecutive days, with the statement being no older than 31 days on the date of application.
How do I apply?
It is recommend that your dependant applies at the same time as you for either an Entry Clearance Application from outside the UK or as part of a Visa Extension inside the UK. However, it is possible for a dependant to apply at a later date.
For more information, it is recommended you visit the UKVI and UKCISA webpages.
Can my dependant work?
Dependants are eligible to work and can take any type of employment or self-employment, excluding
work as a professional sportsperson, which includes being a sports coach
work as a doctor or dentist in training
For more information, please check the UKCISA webpages on dependants.