Visa information

We provide free help and advice on applying for your visa and we are happy to check your documents and answer any questions.

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DO I NEED A VISA?

Most international students will now require a visa to study in the UK, You can check if you need a visa on the UKVI website.

SHORT-TERM STUDY VISA

You can apply for a Short-term study visa to study English in the UK on courses lasting longer then 6 months and up to 11 months. Full information on the Short-term study visa is available on the UKVI website

STUDENT VISA

The Student visa is required for most students applying to study on undergraduate and postgraduate courses in the UK. Full information about this visa is available on the UKVI website including details on the money that you will need; knowledge of English; the supporting documents that you need; and how to make an application.

CONFIRMATION OF ACCEPTANCE OF STUDIES (CAS)

A Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) is a unique 16-digit number issued by the University to students who have demonstrated that they are committed to and capable of study at the University. A CAS is required in order to apply for a Student Visa.

Some students will be required to attend a Pre-CAS interview as part of the CAS application process. If you are a student from a country not listed by the UKVI as exempt from providing evidence that you meet the financial requirements for your visa, then you will be required to attend an online Pre-CAS Interview.

Once you have gone Firm on an Unconditional Offer of a place to study at the University, and you have paid the Tuition Fee Deposit, you can apply for a CAS using our CAS Request Form 2022. You can apply for a CAS up to six months prior to the commencement of your studies at the University.

90/60 Accommodation Requirement

All students who are studying at the University on a Student visa are required to be living within 90 minutes and/or 60 miles (96km) of the University Living further away from the University will entail unnecessary commuting time and costs (costs that could easily become more than actually living on-campus), and most importantly, this will prejudice your ability to engage fully with your studies and the University. Failure to engage fully with your studies and the University could mean that your visa will be withdrawn, and that you would be deported from the UK. In addition, you would not be eligible for any tuition fee refund.

When to apply for your CAS

Once you have gone Firm on an Unconditional Offer of a place to study at the University, and when you have paid your Tuition Fee Deposit, you are encouraged to apply for your CAS as soon as you have all the necessary documents and financial arrangements completed. You certainly should not leave applying for your CAS until late in the cycle as there may be delays in our processing your CAS request, delays in acquiring a visa, and increased costs in long-haul travel.

Online Pre-CAS Interview information

Some students will be required to attend an online Pre-CAS Interview with the University of Winchester to confirm that they are committed and ready to study at the University in the UK. The purpose of the interview is for both the student and the University to ensure that all aspects of the application to come to study at the University are complete and in order. It is not a test of academic or creative skills as you will already have been given an Unconditional Offer of a place to study with us. This interview is compulsory for those students invited.

The interview will be conducted online in English, using Microsoft Teams; so broadband access and a computer/tablet with camera and microphone (not a smartphone) will be required. It is not necessary to have an account with MS Teams as you can simply use the browser version of Teams, a link to which will be emailed to you. The interview will be recorded.

You will need to be in a room on your own for the interview, for up to 30 minutes without interruptions. There should be nobody else in the room during your interview.

We will discuss a range of topics focusing on:

living in the UK while studying at the University
your chosen course of study and career objectives
your accommodation plans (and the 90/60 requirement)
how you are funding your studies
post-study plans

You will also be given the opportunity to ask us questions at the end of the interview should you wish.

You will need the following documents to hand during the interview (you may be requested to send scans of documents prior to your interview):

your passport (as submitted in your application) – this should be opened at the photo/ID page
a recent bank statement for the account that will be used to support your studies – if the account belongs to both/either of your parents we would also require to see your birth certificate

The interview will be recorded and stored in secure location by the University in such a way that it could be released to authorised parties should that be required.

APPLYING FOR A STUDENT VISA

Once you have received your CAS you can apply for your student visa using the UK government student visa page

Applying from outside the UK

The earliest you can apply for a visa is 6 months before you start your course.
You’ll usually get a decision on your visa within 3 weeks, though it will take longer at busy times.

Applying from inside the UK

The earliest you can apply is 3 months before your course starts.
You must apply before your current visa expires. Your new course must begin within 28 days of your current visa expiring.
You’ll usually get a decision within 8 weeks, though it will take longer at busy times.

You should carefully read the UKVI Guidance notes before making your application for a student visa. And if you have any doubts or questions about the application process please contact us.

If you are using an Education Agent they may be able to assist you with your visa application but remember:- “Your Visa, Your Responsibility”.

GRADUATE VISA

A Graduate visa gives you permission to stay in the UK for at least 2 years after successfully completing an undergraduate or postgraduate course in the UK. You must be in the UK when you apply.

Full information on the Graduate visa is available on the UKVI website

Useful Links

There are a number of useful links below to help you with preparing for your visa application:

Whilst we try to ensure the accuracy of the information and advice given, the requirements relating to visas are complex and change frequently, therefore, the University of Winchester cannot accept responsibility for any inaccuracies or errors in its information or advice.

This page was last updated in May 2022.