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Registration for Student visa holders

You need to formally register with Birkbeck before you can start your programme of study at Birkbeck. You will be permitted to register if you are able to show that you have either:  

  • valid immigration permission which allows you to study your programme of study at Birkbeck, or
  • evidence that you are waiting for a decision on a Student visa application to study at Birkbeck which was made from inside the UK while holding a valid UK visa.

  • What you need to register with Birkbeck

    • You need to complete your Student Visa Registration when you arrive in the UK and before you start studying.
    • You need to upload the following documents to CAS Shield:
      • your eVisa share code – please see below how to generate it
      • a copy of the visa decision email
      • evidence of arrival in the UK – such as a boarding pass, flight booking confirmation or entry stamp
      • the completed Student Visa Registration form
    • You also need to book and attend an online registration session. The booking link is included in the registration form. Please have your passport ready for the session.

  • Student visa registration form

    • Students will receive a copy of the registration form by email when they are issued their CAS.
    • Alternatively, you can download a copy of the Student Visa Registration form.

  • How to generate a share code

  • What happens if you don't register with Birkbeck?

    • You will not be permitted to attend classes until you have formally registered with the College. If you fail to complete your registration by the deadline, which normally is the latest arrival date stated on your CAS, you may not be permitted to register and/or enrol for the relevant academic year.

  • What to do if you have applied to extend your stay

    • If you have applied to extend your stay in the UK before you register at Birkbeck and you are still waiting for a decision on your application, you will need to show the following, instead of a new Student visa to study at Birkbeck:
      • your passport
      • your UK visa at the time of submitting a Student visa application to study at Birkbeck
      • evidence of submitting your Student visa application from the UK while your previous UK visa is valid, such as a copy of your visa application showing the application number and date of submission. 
    • Once you receive an outcome of your Student visa application, you will need to present all documents listed above to complete your registration.
    • If your UK immigration permission at the time of making your Student visa application does not permit you to study, such as the Graduate Route visa or High Potential Individual visa, you must wait until you are granted a Student visa. 
    • You can only be invited to enrol if you have provided evidence of your Student visa to study at Birkbeck before the latest arrival date stated on your CAS. Enrolment and Student Visa Registration must be completed by the latest arrival date.  

  • Visas that mean you will not be able to register

    • You will not be able to register at Birkbeck to study a full-time programme if you hold an immigration permission that does not permit you to study, including the following:
      • Graduate visa
      • High Potential Individual visa
      • Standard Visitor visa (including all sub-categories)
      • Short-term Study visa
      • Marriage Visitor visa
      • Parent of a Child Student visa.
    • The Standard Visitor visa does not allow full-time study. However, you can use it for short courses, to retake specific elements of your programme of study, such a retaking a module or resitting an examination, and to attend a viva.