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Supporting documentation

You will need to submit the following supporting documentation in your visa application (please note the English translation guidelines for documentation).

Documentation checklist

Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS)

FINANCIAL EVIDENCE

  • You will need to provide evidence that you have enough money to pay for your studies and support yourself in the UK while studying.
  • You will need to present an original birth certificate if you use your parent's financial evidence.
  • You don't need to provide financial evidence with your visa application if: 
    • you hold a valid passport of certain countries (under ‘differential evidence agreement’) and are making your visa application from the country where you're living, or from in the UK. However, you should still hold the required level of funds as the case worker of your application can request this evidence.
    • you have been living in the UK with permission, i.e. a visa, for at least 12 months on the date of your Student visa application. You will meet the financial requirement and do not need to show funds.  

Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) clearance certificate (if applicable)

  • Certain students who wish to study a master's or research degree programme in the physical sciences, computing and mathematics will need to obtain an Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS).
  • If it applies to your programme of study, Birkbeck will formally notify you through our formal offer of admission, which is sent electronically.
  • It is important to note that, if required, both new and continuing students must obtain an ATAS clearance certificate before starting their programme of study.
  • Continuing students must obtain a new ATAS clearance certificate for a further period of study before a new CAS can be issued.
  • The process normally takes a minimum of 20 working days and, therefore, you are advised to submit your ATAS clearance check application well in advance. An ATAS clearance certificate is valid for six months from the date of issue.
  • For an ATAS clearance certificate, the following information is required from the College:

Valid passport

  • Your passport should have at least one blank page (both sides) left.
  • Although it is not a mandatory requirement that your passport has a specific amount of time left, we advise you to renew your passport before making your visa application if your current passport will expire during your studies in the UK.

Tuberculosis (TB) certificate

  • Residents of certain countries wanting to come to the UK for longer than six months must obtain a certificate confirming that they are free from tuberculosis before you apply for a visa.
  • Students applying to extend their Student visa from the UK or returned home recently are not normally required to provide a TB certificate. Please check the section entitled 'Who doesn’t need to be tested' on the gov.uk website to see if this applies to you.

Evidence of academic qualifications

  • Your previous academic qualifications, normally the final transcript or certificate or diploma, will have been submitted as part of your course application.
  • As Birkbeck is a Higher Education Provider (HEP) with a track record of compliance, you do not need to provide academic qualifications with your Student visa application. 
  • If you are applying for an extension of your Student visa from inside the UK to start a new programme of study at Birkbeck (including if you are currently on a Tier 4 General visa), you will need to include official evidence that you have successfully completed your original course of study.

Evidence of English language qualifications

English translation guidelines

If any of your documents are not in English, you must submit the original and a fully certified translation by a professional translator or translation company. This includes your financial documents.

For applicants who are already in the UK

  • Translation must include:
    • details of the translator or translation company's credentials
    • confirmation that it is an accurate translation of the original document
    • the translator or translation company's contact details.
    • It must also be dated and include the original signature of the translator or an authorised official of the translation company.

For applicants who are overseas

  • The original translation must contain:
    • confirmation from the translator or translation company that it is an accurate translation of the original document
    • the date of the translation
    • the full name and signature of the translator or of an authorised official of the translation company
    • the translator or translation company's contact details.