Pre-sessional English: Applying for a Student visa in your home country

OUTDATED VERSION - 2023 only.
 
Below is detailed information from International Student Support for Online Pre-sessional English students needing to make Student visa applications in September 2023.

Key dates

Results released to you: 06 December 2023

CAS Contract & Data Check sent to you: 07 December 2023

Apply for visa from home country: December 2023

University of Exeter arrivals weekend: 13 January 2023

Latest registration (for most programmes): TBC

Visa Information Presentation

You will be invited to attend an online presentation to help you prepare and submit your Student visa application.

Details to follow shortly.

 

Application form guide

Use our application form guide to help you answer questions on the application form. 

If you are having trouble viewing this document, please download a version here: Application form guide for applying outside the UK

Once you're ready, set up and start your application form here (Gov.uk).


Document list

This list will help you to make sure that you have everything you need to successfully apply for your Student visa. It is extremely important that you provide the correct documents as described in each of the sections otherwise your application may be refused.  

You must provide a current valid passport. 

If you have a current or previous UK visa issued on a Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) card, you must include it with your application. 

Your CAS statement lists your CAS number and other important information which you will need to include on your application form. Full details available here.

Our Money section details the financial requirements for a Student visa application. You will need to prepare documents that meet the rules listed there. If you qualify for differentiation arrangementsyou will not need to submit these documents with your initial application but they may be requested by UK Visas and Immigration while your application is being processed. Note that if you are using a parent's bank statement, you will need additional documents as explained on the Money page.

If you are making a Student visa extension application in the UK and you have been living in the UK for at least 12 months, you may not be required to prepare finances for your visa application, please check the Money section.

Entry clearance only: If you are a person from a country listed iAppendix Tuberculosis (TB) making an application for entry clearance to come to the UK for more than six months, you must present a valid medical certificate confirming that you have been tested for TB.

You won’t need a TB test if any of the following apply:

  • you’re a diplomat accredited to the UK
  • you’re a returning UK resident and haven’t been away for more than 2 years
  • you lived for at least 6 months in a country where TB screening is not required by the UK, and you’ve been away from that country for no more than 6 months

Children

All children must see a clinician who will decide if they need a chest x-ray. Children under 11 will not normally have a chest x-ray. If the clinician decides your child doesn’t have TB they’ll give you a certificate. Include this certificate with your child’s UK visa application.

For more information click here.

If any of your documents are not in English you will need to provide a fully certified translation by a professional translator or translation company. 

Any translations you submit with your application must include the following: 

  • Confirmation that it is an accurate translation of the original document 
  • The date of the translation 
  • The full name and signature of the translator or an official from the translation company 
  • The contact details of the translator / translation company

If you have completed a course in the UK within the 12 months preceding your Student visa appplication AND you had official financial sponsorship from a government or international scholarship agency covering both course fees and living costs, you are required to provide a letter from your sponsor giving you permission to a further application for permission to study in the UK.

People who want to study at advanced levels within certain subject areas must obtain clearance certificates under the Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) before they make any immigration application to study, or extend their study period, in the UK. If your offer letter states that you require ATAS, or you are extending your visa on a programme that required ATAS when you started, you will need to apply for it. You must apply for ATAS clearance at at least 4-6 weeks before you need to apply for your visa. Make sure to familiarise yourself with our in-depth ATAS information to prepare.

If you are 16 or 17 when you apply for your visa, you will need to include a signed letter from your parents or legal guardian confirming:

  • The relationship between you and your parent(s) or legal guardian(s)
  • That your parent(s) or legal guardian(s) have given their consent to your application
  • That your parent(s) or legal guardian(s) have given their consent to you living independently in the UK; and
  • That your parent(s) or legal guardian(s) have given their consent to your independent travel to the UK; and
  • That your parent(s) or legal guardian(s) have legal custody or sole responsibility for you.

You will also need to include your original birth certificate, certificate of adoption or a court document naming your legal guardian.

The Home Office should not request any additional documents except in exceptional circumstances.  


Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Contact us if you have any questions we have not answered here. 

When should I apply for my visa?

You can apply for your visa as soon as you receive your CAS and your required money has been in your bank account for at least 28 days. We cannot advise a specific deadline for applying for your visa but you should apply as soon as you're able to, to ensure you are able to get the visa and travel to Exeter in time for the start of your studies.

Do I need to deposit money by 8 November?

If possible, you should deposit your money by 8 November to ensure that you can submit your application as early as possible. Remember, your money must be in your account for at least 28 days before you pay the visa application fee.

Can I use my bank statements from home?

Yes, you can. But remember that they must still meet all of the requirements described in the information about bank statements above. Bank statements from home may not initially meet those requirements so make sure you read the details carefully on our Money page. 

Can I use my parents' bank account?

Yes, you can. You must also have a permission letter from the account holder and evidence of their relationship to you. You cannot use a friend or other relative's account unless they are your legal guardian.

How do I get my CAS? Do I need to email someone?

The CAS process will start automatically once you have your unconditional firm offer. You DO NOT need to email anyone to request your CAS. It can take up to 5 working days to issue CAS following receipt of your CAS Data Check and Contract.

Can I start my degree course before I receive my visa?

No. You will need to return to the UK and attend International Student Clearance to present your passport and visa before registering for your studies.

Can I pay my fees and accommodation? Aren't the University going to ask for it?

You can wait to pay your tuition fees and University accommodation fees until after you have returned to the UK. Deadlines can be viewed here.

If you do decide to pay, it is fine to pay all of your tuition fees but you MUST NOT pay more than £1,334 for University accommodation. Your CAS statement will be updated automatically once the team have received confirmation from the Student Finance team that the payment has been received. This can take up to 5 working days. If you have made a payment more than 5 working days ago and not received an updated statement, please contact casteam@exeter.ac.uk with confirmation of the payment.

Remember that money paid for private accommodation cannot be deducted from the total you need for your visa application at all.

What if my visa application is refused?

As long as you prepare all of your documents carefully, your application is unlikely to be refused. The most important thing is to ensure that you meet all of the financial requirements - for most students this means depositing the correct amount of money in your bank account and leaving it there at all times until after you have submitted your visa application at your International Student Support appointment.