Prior to arrival in the UK

Smiling studentsOnce you receive your offer of a place, it is essential you take the appropriate steps to ensure you comply with British immigration requirements for students entering the UK.

Visas

As an international student you should check to see whether you require a visa in order to study in the UK. Obtaining a visa can be quite a long process so should you need a visa in order to study in the UK, we advise you to apply as soon as you have accepted your offer.

What is a visa?

If you are not a British Citizen or a citizen of one of the European Economic Area (EEA) countries, you may need an entry clearance before you travel to the UK.

Entry clearance is the formal term to describe the application process for visa nationals who wish to travel to the United Kingdom and for non-visa nationals who intend a longer stay or to settle in the UK. The entry clearance certificate, more commonly called a visa, is placed in your passport or travel document.

The visa tells the immigration officer at a UK port of arrival:

  • the purpose of your travel
  • how long you can stay in the UK
  • the latest date that you can enter the UK

Normally, you may enter and leave the UK as many times as you like during the validity of your visa.

Students from the European Economic Area (EEA) and Switzerland

If you are a national of a European Economic Area country or of Switzerland, you are free to enter the UK without applying for entry clearance (visa) and have the right of residence for the duration of your programme.

The following countries are part of the European Economic Area: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and the United Kingdom.

Students from outside the EEA and outside Switzerland

It is compulsory for all students who are coming to the UK for more than six months to apply for student entry clearance (visa) at a British Embassy/High Commission before they travel to the UK.

How do I qualify to travel to the UK as a student?

You must be able to show that you have been accepted on a programme of study at an educational establishment that is on the UK's Department for Education and Skills (DfES) Register of Education and Training Providers. BPP is listed with the DfES as a registered provider.

You must be able to show that you are going to follow:

  • a recognised full-time degree programme, or
  • a programme run during the week involving at least 15 hours of organised daytime study each week, or
  • a full-time programme at an independent fee-paying school

You must also:

  • be able to pay for your programme and support yourself and any dependants, and live in the UK without going into business or getting a job, or needing any help from public funds
  • be able and intend to follow your chosen programme

The UKCOSA Guidance Note 'I'm coming to the UK to start my studies. What do I need to do about immigration?' provides information about UK immigration regulations for students and the visa application process. The UK visas website also provides up-to-date information on the procedures for applying for a visa, and links to British Embassies abroad.

If you have any other queries please contact the International Student Office who will be able to offer guidance.