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Changes during your studies

Changes during your studies may affect your immigration permission to be in the UK and may have to be reported to the University or the UK Borders Agency (UKBA). It is your responsibility as a Points-based system migrant to report changes in personal information to UKBA; whilst the University has a duty to report any academic changes during your stay.

Personal details

If your circumstances change whilst your Tier 4 application is being considered or while you are studying in the UK as a Tier 4 student, you should report these changes to:-

You should only use the above form to report changes in your personal details, such as:-
    • criminal convictions that you have not previously reported
    • changes in your contact details
    • changes in your representative's details
    • changes in your family members' details, if they are in the UK as your dependants

You must send the form to the postal address on the cover of the form.

The 'Migrant Change of Circumstance' form should not be used:-

  1. to report academic changes such as a change in your education provider or course of study. You can find more information in the guidance notes at the back of the form.
  2. if you have a biometric resident permit/identity card for foreign nationals.  Instead you should email our International Advisers and provide the following details:
    • a description of the change you want to make
    • your points-based system reference number
    • your representative's reference number (if appropriate)
    • your date of birth
    • your nationality
Note: it is also your responsibility to keep your contact details up-to-date via "Personal Details" within your University of St Andrews i-Saint portal

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If you change your course at St Andrews

If you change to a different course and you hold a Tier 4 visa issued with a CAS, the University has a duty to inform the UKBA.

  • If your new course ends before your permission to stay expires, you must inform UKBA by sending an email message to migrantreporting@ukba.gsi.gov.uk.  We will also report the course change to the UKBA.
  • If your new course ends after your current permission to stay expires, you will need to make a new Tier 4 application. You will therefore need a new Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) from the University.
  • If you change to a new course of the same length you do not need to seek permission from the UKBA but the University of St Andrews will report the change to UKBA.

ATAS - Academic Technology Approval Scheme:  A course change can also have an impact on your ATAS clearance if you had one for your original course or you may need ATAS clearance for your new course.

You can make a new application at any time before your current permission to stay expires, but we recommend that you do this as soon as possible.

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If you are granted a Leave of Absence (suspending your studies)

If you hold a Tier 4 visa issued with a CAS and are granted a Leave of Absence you may be required to leave the country immediately (unless medically unfit to travel).

The immigration rules state that to be in the UK as a Tier 4 (General) student you need to be "engaged" in study full-time; therefore if you take a Leave of Absence, in most instances, you will need to return to your home country. As Highly Trusted Sponsors, the University of St Andrews is obliged to report to the UKBA that you have suspended your studies.  The UKBA will cancel your visa and expect you to leave the UK within 60 days of the date that you take your LOA.

When you are ready to return to study you will need to contact the University to request the issue of a new CAS (Confirmation of Acceptance for Study).

Note:  All Leave of Absences must be formally approved by your Faculty Pro Dean.  Your return to study must also be formally approved by your Pro Dean of Faculty, and Student Support Services if applicable, before we can issue you with a new CAS.

Further information: Leave of Absence

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If your course ends early

If you complete your course earlier than expected or change to a shorter degree the University has a duty to report this change to UKBA and your permission to stay in the UK will be limited to 60 daysafter the date that the report is submitted.

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If you extend your studies

If your current leave is not long enough to cover your course of study you will need to make an application to extend your student visa. As your course "end date" will need to be changed on your student record before our International Student Advisor can issue a new CAS, the formal process of extending your course will need to be completed before your visa extension application can be made. 

Typical circumstances where an extension may arise, all of which require formal approval/agreement from your Faculty Pro Dean in the first instance, include:-

Further information: Extension of studies (PG)

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If you withdraw or your studies are terminated (Termination of Studies)

If you withdraw from study or your studies are terminated the University is required to make a report to the UKBA to state that you are no longer engaging with the University, your leave will be shortened to 60 days after the date of the report and you will be expected to either leave the UK or to have made an application for leave to remain in the UK under another immigration category.

If you decide to appeal your termination of studies you can stay in the UK whilst the appeal is being heard only if your current student leave will cover the duration of the appeal; however if your student visa expires before the appeal is heard you will either need to leave the UK or make an application to stay in the UK in another immigration category.

Further information: Termination of studies; Withdrawal from studies

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If you defer your course/start date

Should you decide to defer the start of your course, you must inform us immediately.  We will update your record and notify the UKBA that your will not be arriving if appropriate.

Note: If you have been issued with a CAS...

  •  but have not yet applied for a visa, your CAS will be cancelled and you will need to a new CAS before your new start date
  •  and have obtained a visa, your deferral will be reported to the UKBA and you will not be able to use your visa to enter the UK.  You will need a new CAS before your new start date

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If you fail to matriculate /register at the begining of each academic year (Failure to Register)

If you fail to matriculate at the begining of each academic year you will be subject to our Failure to Register policy and we have a duty to inform the UKBA within 10 woking days of this policy being actioned. 

Further information: Failure to Register

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If you undertake fieldwork overseas or participate in an Exchange and Study Abroad programme

In most cases this should not affect your student visa if you are still registered as a full time student and return to St Andrews after you period abroad ends.  You must remain in contact with your department/school or Study Abroad team during your period abroad so they can monitor your progress and attendance.  Please contact your School/Department or Study Abroadteam for further advice and guidance.

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If you re-sit an exam

You may need to apply to extend your studies and your visa if you fail an exam and cannot re-take the exam again before the end of your course.  Please contact the International Advisorfor further guidance and advice.

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If you need to re-submit your dissertation or require an extension to submission date

If you are a postgraduate student and need to request an extension to your dissertation/thesis submission date or are required to re-submit your dissertation/thesis you may also need to apply to extend your studies and your visa.  Please contact the International Advisorfor further guidance and advice.

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If you move to another institution

If you wish to move to another education provider you must complete the formal process of withdrawing from your studies at St Andrews and then make a new visa application under your new institutions sponsor license to be able to begin studying there.

You will be able to begin your new studies with your new education provider whilst your application is under consideration if;
  • You are moving to a Highly Trusted Sponsor
  • Your permission to study with your former sponsor is still valid
  • Your new sponsor has assigned a Confirmation of Acceptance to Study (CAS) for you

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Contact details

International Student Advisers

Student Services
The Advice & Support Centre
79 North Street
St Andrews
Fife
KY16 9AL
Scotland, United Kingdom

Tel: 01334 46 2020

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