Applying from overseas - New students
If your main purpose for coming to the UK is study for more than 6 months, you will need to apply for a Student Route visa.
If you are applying from outside of the UK, you can apply a maximum of 6 months before your course is due to start.
All student’s wishing to apply for a student route visa, must obtain a CAS (Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies) from the University of Bedfordshire. Your CAS document will contain a CAS number which you will use to make your visa application.
For details on the course application process, please visit our How to apply page
Before issuing you a CAS, you must have met all the conditions of your offer. In addition, we may you to:
- Pay a deposit
- Pass a pre-CAS interview
- Submit copies of your financial documents
We may also need to carry out an immigration history check.
If you are a continuing student who requires a CAS, please visit our Request a CAS page
Applying for your visa
You will need to apply online. You can find a checklist of the documents you’ll need at GOV.UK
There some items on the checklist that will need to be prepared in advance:
- ATAS certificate, if required
- Proof of funds, these must be held for a specified period which can be found on the government website. You can view some example documents [PDF]
We also advise that you maintain £500 more than the recommended living cost in order to account for any currency rate fluctuation. Find out more about the money you need (GOV.UK)
You also need to ensure you have enough funds to make your visa application and pay the Immigration Health Surcharge. This will enable you to access the National Health Service during your period of leave. You must pay this even if you are taking out private healthcare insurance. Find out more about the Immigration Health Surcharge (GOV.UK)
You should have both the Academic and English qualifications used to obtain your CAS, available on request. The Home Office may request these as part of your student visa application assessment.
Once you have received your CAS, you must check the information is correct. For example, the course name, length of course and start and end dates.
You should not make your visa application if you believe any of the information on your CAS to be incorrect. Any issues, please contact the relevant admissions team.
If you are found to provide any false documentation during your application process, the Entry Clearance Officer may refuse you application which could lead to you being refused entry to the UK for up to 10 years.
Receiving Your Visa
If your visa application is successful, you will receive an email from the Home Office confirming the visa that has been granted and its duration. In order to view your eVisa, you will need to create a UKVI account.
Find out how to access your eVisa on GOV.UK
Once you have created your UKVI account, you will be able to generate a share code. You will need to send this to the University by emailing prearrival@beds.ac.uk. Ensure that you check all the details on your eVisa and if you think there is an error, please tell us in your email.
If you have any reason to believe you will not be able to start your studies on your arrival to the UK, you should not travel. If your circumstances have changed on arrival, you should contact the International Office immediately.
If you hope to travel to the UK but believe you may be delayed, you must let us know before you travel. We will advise whether you are still in time to register.
If your application has been refused or returned as invalid, you should send a copy of your visa refusal document to prearrival@beds.ac.uk at the earliest opportunity. We will then advise you accordingly.
For more information on student visas, please visit the UKCISA website
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