Pre-arrival and visa information
We strongly advise that you visit the UK Border Agency (UKBA) website for the most up-to-date visa rules before you make a visa application.
To check whether you need a visa to study in the UK, please visit the UKBA website and complete the online questionnaire.
If you are from outside the EEA/EU and you plan to stay in the UK to study for more than six months, you must apply for entry clearance, known as a Tier 4 General Student Visa, before travelling to the UK. To find out whether you are eligible for a Tier 4 visa, visit our frequently asked questions page.
If you are coming to study on a short-term summer school programme, please visit the Summer Semester Honours Programme visa webpage for more information.
Credibility interviews
The Home Office has recently introduced credibility interviews as part of the Tier 4 visa application process. Some students may be interviewed when submitting their application.
Please prepare for these interviews in advance, so that you're confident answering questions about your plans to study in the UK. To help you with this, we've prepared a list of possible questions you may be asked during the interview and we recommend you practice answering questions of this type.
Questions about... the UK
- Why do you want to study in the UK?
- What are the benefits of studying in the UK compared to your home country or USA/Canada/Australia etc.?
Questions about... Sheffield Hallam University
Information on the University can be found on our international website.
- Why did you choose to study at Sheffield Hallam University?
- How did you find out about it?
- Which other colleges or universities have you considered?
- Do you know anyone who has already studied there?
- Where is the college or university?
- Do you know roughly how large the college or university is?
- What facilities are you expecting at the college or university?
Questions about... your course
Find detailed information on your course in our online prospectus.
- What course are you studying and how long is it?
- Does this course offer any professional recognition?
- What qualifications will you receive?
- How is your chosen course assessed?
- Why did you choose this course and how does it relate to your previous study?
- Can you explain the gaps in your study/professional history?
- What is the relevance of the course to your future career path?
Questions about... living as a student in the UK
Find out about life in Sheffield in your pre-arrival guide and on our website.
- How are you funding your studies?
- If you have taken out a bank loan to finance your studies, how do you intend to repay it?
- Where do you intend to live while you are in the UK?
- Have you already arranged accommodation?
- If you have dependants travelling with you, what will they be doing while you are studying?
- Have you organised schooling for your children?
- Do you intend to work in the UK during your studies?
- If so, do you know how many hours you would be permitted to work under Tier 4?
Questions about... your future
- What do you intend to do after finishing your course?
- If you intend to return home to seek employment, which companies do you hope to apply to?
- Are you planning to stay in the UK on completion to study for a higher award?
- Are you thinking of transferring to another institution on completing this course?
Please note these are for guidance only. You can also download these questions in a printer-friendly format (PDF 50KB).
New time limits for studying in the UK
You are not allowed to exceed the maximum time limit spent in the UK on a Tier 4 visa. This is currently three years below degree level, five years at degree level, six years for a degree and Masters, and eight years for a PhD.
It is your responsibility to plan your studies in the UK according to these rules. If you're not sure whether your chosen course will take you over this limit, email internationalsupport@shu.ac.uk or check the UKCISA website.
Financial institutions accepted/not accepted by UKBA
On 24 August 2011, the UK Border Agency produced a list of financial institutions which will not be accepted for verifying students' maintenance when students apply for a Tier 4 General student visa to come to the UK.
An applicant will receive no points for maintenance if they submit documents showing that the funds are held in a financial institution on the list of non-acceptable banks.
To assist applicants, UKBA have also provided lists of financial institutions in each country from which financial statements are accepted.
For more information please visit the UKBA website.
TB screening requirements
Migrants applying to enter the UK for more than six months from the countries listed below must show a valid medical certificate issued by an approved medical practitioner, confirming that they have undergone screening for active pulmonary tuberculosis and that such tuberculosis is not present in the applicant.
- Bangladesh
- Burkina Faso
- Cambodia
- Côte d'Ivoire
- Eritrea
- Ghana
- India
- Kenya
- Laos
- Lesotho
- Malaysia
- Nepal
- Niger
- Pakistan
- Somalia
- South Africa
- Sudan
- Swaziland
- Tanzania
- Togo
- Thailand
- The Philippines
- Vietnam
- Zimbabwe
Applicants from Burkina Faso, Côte d'Ivoire, Niger and Togo are screened in Ghana, those from Eritrea and Somalia are screened in Kenya, those in Lesotho and Swaziland are screened in South Africa and those from Laos are screened in Thailand.
See the UKBA website for the list of approved clinics in each country.
The certificate will usually be valid for six months. If you are tested positive for TB you will be referred for treatment. You will not be permitted to travel to the UK until you have been tested as being free of TB, including following successful treatment.
Insurance
We strongly recommend that you take out insurance for your own financial and personal security. Many companies offer insurance policies specially designed for overseas students studying in the UK, which cover
- emergency medical expenses
- repatriation
- cancellation or curtailment charges
- baggage
- personal money, passport and documents
- course fees
- personal liability
- legal expenses
If you will be studying on a short course of up to six months, you must take out insurance to cover your medical expenses because you will not be eligible for free NHS medical treatment.
Further information
Email us at internationalsupport@shu.ac.uk
More information can also be found
- on our frequently asked questions page
- during our international webchat
For comprehensive UK visa information please visit
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