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Visa Requirements

If you don’t have British (or Irish) nationality and you're planning to travel to the UK to study at Durham, you may need to apply for a visa before you travel. The type of visa / permission you need depends on the course you're coming to study.

Use the link below to access the UK Government website on visa information for entry to the UK.
Stephenson college 2022

Visa Information

The type of visa / permission you need depends on the course you're coming to study: 

  • A full-time course for longer than six months: you must apply for a student visa (Student route), unless you already have other immigration permission* which allows you to study
  • A short course or period of study as a visiting student for less than 6 months: you should use the visitor route (or apply for a Student visa in some cases)
  • A distance learning or part-time course where short visits are required: you should use the visitor route
  • A part-time course longer than 6 months with a weekly or monthly attendance requirement: you will not be eligible for any Student visa or other visitor permission due to the structure of the course, but you may be able to study if you already have other immigration permission* which allows you to study in the UK

If you are already in the UK with other immigration permission

If you're eligible for UK immigration permission in another capacity, you may also be allowed to study without having to apply for a Student visa. Other types of permission that allow you to study in the UK include (but are not limited to):

  • Ancestry; British National (Overseas) visa; Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR); Refugee; Settlement; Tier 1; Tier 5
  • Dependants in any immigration category
  • Other types of immigration permission that allow study

EU, EEA nationals or Switzerland (excluding Ireland)

If you're a national of the EU, EEA or Switzerland, you don’t need a student visa if you came to the UK before 11pm on 31 December 2020, but you will need to apply to the EU Settlement Scheme if you wish to stay beyond 30 June 2021. If you are granted Pre-settled or Settled status under this scheme you will not need a visa to study beyond that date.

If you arrived in the UK on or after 1 January 2021, you may need to apply for a Student visa.

Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS)

If you’re coming to study a subject that requires ATAS clearance (postgraduate and integrated Master's courses in some Science, Engineering and Technology subjects) you may need to apply for an ATAS certificate before you register on your course. You may also need this if you’re applying for a Student visa.

Further information about ATAS and whether you’ll need to .

  • Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS)

    If you need a Student visa to study in the UK, you’ll need a CAS before you apply for it. A CAS is a unique reference number that you’ll need to enter in your Student visa application. 

    2022 Ustinov
  • Applying for a Student Visa

    You can apply for a student visa up to 6 months before the start of your course and as soon as you have received your Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS). 

    2022 Trevelyan College

Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS)

If you need a Student visa to study in the UK, you’ll need a CAS before you apply for it. A CAS is a unique reference number that you’ll need to enter in your Student visa application. 

2022 Ustinov

Applying for a Student Visa

You can apply for a student visa up to 6 months before the start of your course and as soon as you have received your Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS). 

2022 Trevelyan College

 

º¬Ðß²ÝÑо¿Ëù makes every effort to ensure that the information published on this page is accurate. However, the University cannot guarantee the information may not be altered owing to circumstances beyond the University’s reasonable control. Such circumstances include (but are not limited to) change in Government policy, or change of law. Any changes will be incorporated into the University’s website as early as possible.