Pre-arrival information - visas
Here you can find information about visa requirements to study in the UK. We strongly advise that you keep up to date with any changes to the visa rules before you make any visa application. You can do this by visiting the United Kingdom Border Agency (UKBA) website. You can also find lots of helpful visa information from UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA).
Do I need a visa to study in the UK?
To find out whether you will need a visa to study in the UK, please visit the UKBA website and complete the online questionnaire.
Overview of the Points Based System (PBS)
The UK Government has a new Points Based System (PBS) of immigration for students.
Students from outside of the EEA / EU, who plan to stay in the UK to study for more than six months, must apply for entry clearance, commonly known as a Tier 4 General Student Visa, before travelling to the UK. 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.
In order to be granted a visa, students must
- hold a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) (30 points)
- be able to evidence the necessary funds for their stay in the UK (10 points)
Students on short courses of less than six months or English courses of 11 months or less may apply for a Student Visitor visa which is currently outside the points-based system. For more information on the student visitor visa, please contact your visa application centre. More information can be found in our frequently asked questions (FAQs).
Am I eligible for a General Tier 4 Student Visa to study at Sheffield Hallam University?
In order to be eligible for a general student visa, you will need to have
- sufficient funds. You must show the balance of your one year's tuition fees plus £5,400 for living expenses in Sheffield. (If your course is less than nine months, you need to show the balance of your tuition fees plus £600 per month for your living costs.) If you are self funding you will need to prove you held this amount in your bank account every day for 28 days prior to your visa application. If you have been studying in the UK recently, the amounts of funds may be lower. Please go to UKCISA for further information.
- if you are officially sponsored for all your costs, you will only require an original sponsor letter instead of bank statements. An official financial sponsor includes Her Majesty's Government, the student's home government, the British Council or any international organisation, international company, university or UK independent school.
- it is possible to show your parents' bank statements instead of your own to meet the funding requirements. However you will also need to show your original birth certificate and a letter of consent from your parents. Please see UKCISA for further information.
- a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS)
- original supporting documents (for example degree certificate) as listed on your CAS
- evidence of your English language ability. Check your CAS. If it lists either your IELTS certificate or SELT result (Secure English Language Test) then provide the original certificate. There are some exemptions to the need to show your English language ability. So, if your CAS does not list your English qualification then you may not need to submit it.
- a valid passport
- some courses require an ATAS certificate - please see our Frequently Asked Questions page.
- other documents (e.g. photos, payment) as specified by your Embassy or Visa Application Centre.
How do I apply for a General Student Visa?
For information on how to apply, find your country in the UKBA list of UK visa application centres. It costs approximately £255 to apply from outside the UK but fee levels do change.
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.
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.
Further information
More information can be found in our frequently asked questions (FAQs).
If you can't find the information you require on this page, or in our FAQs please visit our international webchat which takes place every Wednesday at 9-10am BST/GMT+1. Alternatively, you can email us at internationalsupport@shu.ac.uk. For comprehensive UK visa information please visit the UKCISA, or UKBA websites.
Sheffield Hallam University is not responsible for the content of external websites
