Visa information

What are you looking for?

Find out more about the type of visas, courses and visas available and questions to consider when applying for a visa.

Types of visa

Students have three main visa options, depending on the length of the course:

Student visa

For applicants who intend to study at undergraduate or postgraduate level at a UK university shortly after their pre-sessional English programme.

Requires a UKVI approved IELTS test (also known as a Secure English Language Test or SELT).

Student visa information

Short-term study visit visa (STSV)

For applicants who will study for 6 to 11 months and would eventually like to study at undergraduate or postgraduate level at a UK university, but who do not currently have a UKVI approved IELTS score.

STSV information

Standard visitor visa

For applicants who will study for six months or less and would eventually like to study at undergraduate or postgraduate level at a UK university, but who do not currently have a UKVI approved IELTS score.

Visitor visa information

Family members accompanying the main student visa holder (for example spouses and/or children under 18) would need to apply for a dependants' visa, more information can be found on the UK Government website.

Courses and visas available

Find out which visa types may be available to you (by course length and/or start date)
Course length	Starting in	Student visa Single CAS	Student visa Joint CAS*	Short-term study visa	Standard visitor visa
30 weeks	October Term one	Available	Not available	Available	Not available
30 weeks	January Term two	Available	Not available	Not normally appropriate**	Not available
20 weeks	October Term one	Available	Not available	Not available	Available
20 weeks	January Term two	Available	Not available	Not available	Available
20 weeks	April Term three	Available	Not available	Not available	Not normally appropriate**
10 weeks	October Term one	Available	Not available	Not available	Available
10 weeks	January Term two	Available	Not available	Not available	Available
10 weeks	April Term three	Available	Not available	Not available	Available
10 weeks	July Term four	Available	Available	Not available	Not normally appropriate**
6 weeks	August Term four	Available	Available	Not available	Not normally appropriate**

* Joint or integrated CAS are not available for all pre-sessional courses or for all students. You will be informed if you are eligible for a joint CAS (covering your pre-sessional course and your degree course) after you apply. Please visit our joint CAS frequently asked questions for more information.

** It is not normally appropriate to enter the UK for a pre-sessional English course under the short-term student or visitor visa routes where the degree course commences immediately after the pre-sessional course. This is because it is not possible to 'switch' from the visitor visa type in the UK. The student is required to travel outside the UK to obtain a full student visa, which takes time and affects the commencement of the academic programme.

You may find it helpful to download the university's guidance on applying for your student visa from overseas and sample visa application guidance.

Important differences between the visa types

There are a number of other questions you will need to consider before you apply:

How long does each visa last?

Student visa

Single CAS from the start to the end of your pre-sessional course.

Joint CAS from the start of your pre-sessional course to the end of your degree course.

Short-term study visa

Only applicable for courses between 6 months and 11 months maximum. You will need to return to your home country after this period/programme of study to reapply for another visa.

Visitor visa

Only applicable for course of six months and less. You will need to return to your home country after this period/ programme of study to reapply for another visa.

Dependant's visa

Depends on the conditions for the main student visa holder.

What type of IELTS test do I need to take?

Student visa

Single CAS - UKVI approved IELTS only.

Joint CAS - IELTS required but does not need to be UKVI approved.

Short-term study visa, visitor visa or dependants' visa

IELTS required to study at the Centre for English Language Education but does not need to be UKVI approved.

Can I bring my family with me?

Student visa

Single CAS
Yes, if you study on a 30-week course and you are government sponsored.

No, if you study on a 20 or 10-week course.

Joint CAS
Yes, if you are a postgraduate student or a sponsored undergraduate student.

Short-term study visa or visitor visa

No.

Dependants' visa

Depends on the conditions for the main student visa holder.

Can I work while I am in the UK?

Student visa

Single CAS
Yes, up to a maximum of 10 hours per week.

Joint CAS
Yes, up to a maximum of 20 hours per week.

Short-term study visa or visitor visa

No.

Dependants' visa

Depends on the conditions for the main student visa holder.

Please note

If you decide to defer the start date of your pre-sessional for any reason, you need to contact us to see if the visa you have chosen is still valid.
Neither a short-term study visa or a visitor visa can be extended or switched to a student visa from within the UK.
If you previously studied with a private provider on a student visa, you will need to make your visa application in your home country.
If you decide to extend the length of your course, you may also need to extend your visa. This could mean returning to your home country to apply for a new student visa.
If you previously studied on a student visa at a higher education provider and there is a gap of more than 28 days between the end of your visa and the start of your next course, you will have to return to your home country to make a new visa application. Please check that any financial sponsor will agree to this.

Contact us if you need further help