Applying for a student visa

If you are new to the UK, and not a citizen of the European Economic Area or Switzerland, you would usually need to apply for a Tier 4 (General) student visa to be able to study in the UK.

Applying for a Tier 4 (General) student visa

• When we make students an offer, we provide detailed guidance on how to apply for a Tier 4 (General) Student Visa. If you have received an offer letter from us, please read this guidance carefully.
• You will also find general guidance about applying for a visa under Tier 4 visa on the websites of the UK Border Agency and the UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA).
• The UK Government has recently changed the way it handles student visas. The new process requires Birkbeck to provide all full-time, Non-EU/EEA students who have accepted an unconditional offer, with a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS).
• You will need to have a CAS before you can apply for a Tier 4 (General) Student Visa.

Getting your Certificate of Acceptance for Studies (CAS)

• As soon as you accept our unconditional offer of full-time study, we will send you an email asking you to confirm your details.
• Once you have confirmed your details, we will issue your CAS.
• If you have accepted our unconditional offer and have not yet received an email from us, please contact the International Student Administration (ISA) team: isa@bbk.ac.uk.

Visa applications and study hours

• Please note that if you intend to study full-time at Birkbeck, the expectation is that you will undertake 21 to 30 hours a week of organised study, comprising lectures, seminars, tutorials, directed reading, research, preparation of assignments etc.
• The visa application procedure does not ask you to provide your anticipated study hours. However, if this question is asked by UK consular officials, it is important to understand the expectations and to reflect this in your responses.

What is the Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS)?

• If you have been accepted for specific research degrees in the physical sciences, computing and mathematics, you must also note the requirements of the Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS).
• ATAS is a UK security measure. If it applies to your programme of study, Birkbeck will formally notify you and guide you through ATAS procedures.
• Please note that if you are affected by ATAS, you must have an ATAS clearance certificate before you apply for a student visa.
• If you have any further questions about ATAS, please email isa@bbk.ac.uk.

If you are already living in the UK

• If you are joining us from another UK institution, or progressing to a new programme of study, we would normally be expected you to have a Tier 4 (General) Student Visa to study at Birkbeck before joining your programme.
• However, you may already hold a UK visa (such as a Spouse Visa or a pre-Tier 4 Visa) which allows you to undertake new study without getting a new type of visa or switching to a Student Visa.
• If you currently hold a valid UK visa which covers the whole or part of your study period and are unsure whether you need to switch to a Student Visa before joining us, please email isa@bbk.ac.uk and include a scanned copy of your current UK visa.
• It is, of course, important that you do not allow your current visa to lapse at any time.

Entering the UK with your visa

• By the time you leave for the UK, you should have addressed and resolved all visa issues and have your visa.
• However, if you are travelling to the UK, we recommend that you carry your unconditional offer letter, any scholarship award certification (if appropriate), and original academic certificates and transcripts in your hand (carry-on) baggage.

Registering with the Police

• International students of certain nationalities may be required to register with the police within 7 days of arrival in the UK. This requirement will be written in your passport if it applies to you. Details of how to register with the Police can be found on the My Birkbeck website.