Making a Student Visa Application
International students
Most international students will need a Tier 4 (General) student visa to study in the UK. This is a points based system visa and you will need to score 40 points as follows:
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30 points for your CAS (Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies) number (which will be on the CAS statement that we send to you)
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10 points for your ‘maintenance’ (the funds you are required have in place to pay for your tuition fees and living expenses)
You can make sure that you have the latest information on visa application procedures by enquiring at your nearest British Embassy or High Commission. You can also find detailed information on the UK Visas website
EEA* and Swiss students
You can enter the UK with a valid passport or national identity card. You do not need a visa to enter the UK.
*The European Economic Area (EEA) consists of Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, the Republic of Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and the UK.
Visa application process
When to apply for your visa
You can apply for your visa three months before the official start date of our course, as stated on your offer letter. Prepare all your documents in advance of this, so that you can apply for your visa as soon as possible to prevent a delay in your arrival in the UK.
How to apply for your visa
Several countries offer online visa applications. You can check whether your country offers this service on the UK Border Agency website.
If you have to apply in person, you will be able to find your nearest centre on the UK Border Agency website.
Documents you will need for your visa
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Application form VAF9 and PBS Appendix 8. You can download this form from the UK Border Agency website
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Your passport or travel document (valid for at least 6 months after your date of departure for the UK)
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1 recent passport photograph (full guidance on the format of the photograph is at www.ukvisas.gov.uk/en/howtoapply/photoguide/)
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Application fee of £255 (as at May 2011)
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Financial evidence to show that you have sufficient funds to pay for your tuition fees and living expenses
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Living costs are calculated for visa purposes as being £600 per month for students who live outside of London. If you are on a course of 12 months or over, you need to show that you have living costs for 9 months (ie £600 x 9 = £5400), in addition to your tuition fees. These funds need to be in your bank account for at least 28 days before you can make your visa application, and you will need a bank statement as the evidence of this.
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Your academic qualifications
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Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) certificate for certain postgraduate students
For full details on applying for a Tier 4 (General) student visa, and the supporting documents that are required, see the UK Border Agency website.Make sure that you read the visa application notes very carefully and that all your supporting documents are in the correct format to ensure that your application goes smoothly. Always keep copies of all the documents that you submit.
Additional requirements
Biometric information – you are required to have your fingerprints scanned and have a digital photograph taken at a biometric data collection centre in your country. Find out more on the UK Border Agency website.
What happens next?
If you are successful in your visa application, you will receive a visa for study at the University of Bradford. This visa is only valid for the study at our University. To study at another university you would have to start a complex and lengthy process to change your visa.
Your visa should be valid for the length of your course plus 4 months if your course is for 12 months or more. If the length of your course is between 6 and 12 months, your visa should be valid for the length of your course plus 2 months.
Check your visa as soon as you receive it. Make sure that the following information is correct:
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Your personal details
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Correct type of visa
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Start and expiry dates of your visit
If you think that there is anything wrong with your visa, query it immediately via your Visa Application Centre.
Useful links
Guidance on your visa application:
Guidance on applying for an ATAS certificate (certain postgraduate courses only):
