Cranfield University

Applying for a visa to study in the UK 

How to apply for your visa

The UK Border Agency has produced a flowchart which will help you decide which visa you need to apply for. For information on the application process for a visa and to download a form go to the UKVisas website.

Full time Study

The UK Border Agency has introduced a Points Based System for applications to work or study in the UK.  Full time students should apply under the Tier 4 General route.

If you have been offered a place on a course at Cranfield University, you should take steps to ensure that you have accepted your offer and 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. 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 the Admissions Office 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). We will email you the CAS number and you can use this with your application for a visa. The CAS number will be used by the UK Border Agency to access information saved on a database about your studies at Cranfield. The CAS is not a physical document and we cannot post it to you. However, you may wish to print the email confirming your CAS number, if you would like to provide this with your visa application.

If you are unable to meet all of the conditions of your offer, you should contact the Course Director or Supervisor for your programme of study for further advice.

Changing Institutions Under the Tier 4 General Visa

As part of the changes in the immigration rules, it has become more difficult to change institutions under the Tier 4 General visa rules. If you already have a visa for another university in the UK and are already in the UK, you should inform the Admissions Office of your circumstances. You should not assume that you can automatically change institutions because you already have a visa.

If you intend to study at Cranfield, you should only apply for your visa once you have received your CAS number for Cranfield. We advise against applying for your visa using a CAS number for another institution because we may not be able to register you for your course at Cranfield.

Extending your Visa in the UK

If you intend to return to your home country before commencing your studies at Cranfield, we advise that it will be both cheaper and quicker to extend your visa outside of the UK. However, should you choose to extend your visa in the UK, help to complete the application form is available from the Admissions Office after you have registered on your course.

Part time Study

Under the immigration rules of the UK, part time students are not eligible for a Tier 4 General visa.  The University is therefore unable to provide you with a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies. You should instead apply for a Student Visitor visa using your offer letter as evidence that you have a place on the course.

Further information on the Student Visitor visa can be found on the UKBA website.

Latest advice

The UKBA’s requirements for visas can often change at short notice. We suggest that you continue to check for the latest advice on the Points Based System on the UK Border Agency website.

Further information is also available for international students from UKCISA (UK Council for International Student Affairs).

Cranfield University has been awarded Highly Trusted Sponsor status. This status is only awarded to institutions that are able to demonstrate a proven track record of recruiting genuine students who comply with the UK's immigration rules.

Our UK Border Agency Sponsor Licence number is H4XU0T7G1.

Academic Technology Approval Scheme

The Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) is designed by the UK government to help stop the spread of knowledge and skills that could be used in the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. It is similar to other government schemes in other countries.

If you need an ATAS certificate you will need to apply for this before you apply for your visa or extension of leave to remain in the UK. During peak periods it may take up to 20 working days to receive the result of your application. We advise students that they should apply for ATAS clearance as soon as possible as this may affect their ability to attend Cranfield. Further information can be found on the ATAS website.

Please check here whether you need an ATAS certificate.

Last updated: Oct/Nov 2010