Visas for Non-EU/Non-EEA applicants

Students from overseas are welcome to attend universities in Britain to undertake courses of study and you should not experience difficulty obtaining entry clearance, providing you have the correct documentation.

All nationals from non-EEA states who wish to come to the UK for any purpose and any length of time are required to obtain a visa (entry clearance) before coming to the UK.

It is important to do this as soon as possible upon receiving your Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies number for a full-time degree course for study at the University. You can apply for the visa at anytime in the 3 months leading up to your start date. Do not leave it until shortly before you travel to apply for your visa as it may take longer than expected.

Visa nationals

It is compulsory for visa nationals to apply for entry clearance / a visa before travelling to the UK. You can check whether you are a visa national on UK Border Agency Visa Services

Applying for Entry Clearance

On 31 March 2009 the UK Border Agency (UKBA) launched new immigration rules for students. Students are now included in the UK’s Points Based System of immigration under Tier 4. You can find more information about the Points Based System on our Points Based-Immigration System  page, or from UK Border Agency

To apply for your student visa you will need to find your closest British Diplomatic Post (e.g. Embassy, Visa Application Centre, High Commission, or Consulate-general) and check with them what their procedure for visa applications is. Please follow the link to find your nearest British Diplomatic Post. You will also be able to download visa application forms and guidance from this website.

To qualify for a student visa you must be able to claim 40 points. The points are given as follows:

  • You must have a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies(CAS) number (this will be provided on a CAS statement, which is not a standard unconditional offer letter) from the University of Wolverhampton – 30 points
  • You must have enough money to cover one year of tuition fees and up to nine months of living expenses – 10 points

Visa letter

'Visa letters' have been replaced by new documentation called the Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) number.  You can request a CAS number from the  Admissions Unit when you have met the conditions of your offer, from three months before the start of your courseThe CAS number will be on a CAS statement, which will also include

  • Your personal details
  • the details of the course you intend to study
  • details of your qualifications you have used to apply for the course
  • tuition fees and how much of the fees you have paid
  • the University of Wolverhampton Sponsor Licence Number and address Please note: this letter will be in addition to any conditional or unconditional offer letter already issued to you.

Bank Statements

You must provide a bank statement that covers 28 days that shows you have enough money to claim the 10 points for maintenance. The money must be in your bank account or your parents' bank account. It cannot be in any other relative or friend’s account.

The money must be constantly in your bank account for a minimum of 28 days and the date of the final balance cannot be more than 28 days before your application.

Please note:

  • You can use your parents' bank account, but if you do so you would also need to include your birth certificate and a letter of consent from your parents, confirming that they are your parents and will allow you to use the money for your studies.
  • You cannot use any other relative or sponsor’s bank account unless they meet the requirements for an officially recognised sponsor.
  • The amount of money needed will depend on how much you have already paid to the University of Wolverhampton and how long your course is.
  • The statement will need to show the outstanding balance for your tuition fees (the Entry Clearance post will check the CAS statement for the total fees and how much you have already paid)
  • living expenses in a lump sum of £7,200 (calculated at £800 per month for  a maximum of nine months)
  • if you intend to live in University of Wolverhampton Halls of Residence you will also need to show you have enough money to cover the outstanding cost of the accommodation
  • if your course is less than nine months you will need to show living expenses calculated at £800 for each month in one lump sum. For example if your course lasts for six months you should show living expenses of £4,800 (plus the outstanding balance of your tuition fees)

Other documents

As well as your CAS statement and bank statement you will need to provide

  • your passport and recent passport photographs (usually 2 photographs with your full name written on the back)
  • ‘Biometric’ information consisting of scans of your fingerprints and a full face digital photograph (given at the Visa Application Centre)
  • Original copies of the qualifications you have used to apply for the course and which are listed on your CAS statement
    • You may need to show the Entry Clearance Officer that you intend to leave the UK when you have completed the course and that you don’t intend to work in the UK (except for part-time or vacation work). The Visa Application Centre will be able to advise on this.

When you receive your visa, check that you have been given a Tier 4 student visa, not a ‘student visitor’ or any other category of visa. When you travel to the UK you should have the documents you used to apply for the visa with you, plus your passport and visa documents.

Interviews

In July 2012the UK Border Agency introduced a new interview system for some students applying for Tier 4 (General) entry clearance.  Not all students will be interviewed but it is possible you may be interviewed and asked a number of questions.  These questions will be about your immigration and education history, study and career plans, and your financial circumstances. If you are invited to an interview you must attend. The UKBA will have the right to refuse your visa if you fail to attend an interview without good reason and/or they are not satisfied you have a genuine intention to study.

TB Screening

In May 2012 the UK Border Agency introduced compulsory Tuberculosis (TB) screening for applicants from certain countries. Check the country specific details on the UK Border Agency website to check if this will affect you. http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/visas-immigration/studying/adult-students/apply-outside-uk/

Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) Certification

It is compulsory for non-EU/EEA students of certain Postgraduate courses to gain an Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) certificate before they make immigration applications to come to the UK as a student or stay longer in the UK as a student.  You will be informed during the admissions process if you need to apply for an ATAS certificate.    If you have any questions about this, you can also contact the Admissions Unit for further information on internationaladmissions@wlv.ac.uk or visit the Foreign and Commonwealth Office website (https://www.gov.uk/academic-technology-approval-scheme). 

 

UPDATE – April 2013:  There is due to be a new online application service available shortly for processing ATAS applications.  Further information can be found on the following webpages  https://www.gov.uk/academic-technology-approval-scheme#apply-online. Until this service is available, the ATAS Unit are still accepting applications and current applications should not be affected by the change.

Find out about your accommodation options International fees and funding My Wolverhampton: read about what our students says about us