How you apply for a Student Visitor or Entry Clearance visa will depend on if you are a "visa national or a "non visa national".

Visa nationals

(Nationals from countries listed by the UKBA as visa nationals)

• Online via Visa4uk – unless you are from one of the countries listed below

• Paper applications VAF1D

If you are a visa national from one of the following countries you should apply by printing out an application form and completing it by hand

• Afghanistan
• Cuba
• Kiribati
• Malawi
• Mozambique
• Namibia
• North Korea
• Pakistan 
• Turkmenistan 
• Zimbabwe

If you are visa national from one of the following countries you may choose to apply online via Visa4uk or by paper VAF1D

• Bangladesh
• Maldives
• Mongolia
• Nepal
• Nigeria
• Sri Lanka
• Uganda

Non visa nationals

(Nationals from countries NOT listed by the UKBA as visa nationals)

• Online via Visa4uk

You will be issued with a multiple entry visa and will be free to leave and re-enter the UK as often as you like whilst your visa is valid

• Entry Clearance - as an non visa national, you may also apply for "Leave to Enter" on arrival at the UK airport but there is no guarantee that you will be allowed entry.  If you choose this option you must make sure that you carry in your hand luggage the following documents

• letter from the University of St Andrews that confirms our course details, tuition and accommodation fees 
• bank statements demonstrating your ability to pay for your studies
• details of your return travel

Please make sure that you tell the Immigration Officer that you are coming to the UK to study and he will stamp your passport and write the letters "SV" to indicate your "Student Visitor" status. It will be your responsibility to demonstrate each time you travel in and out of the UK that you still meet the student rules by carrying up to date information (as above).  You should not take permission to re-enter for granted!

Step 1

Complete the PBS General Migrants Application (VAF 9) and pay for your application online (available in most countries). This form is to collect personal details and is to be completed by every applicant coming into the UK under the Points Based System. Once the payment is made and the VAF 9 is submitted this becomes the date of application.

Step 2

Once you have submitted your online application you will be prompted to make a biometrics appointment, where your fingerprints and facial photograph will be taken. You will be given details of the collection points that are local to you.  You will be given a receipt (keep this secure) which you submit with all other required documents when you submit your application.

Step 3

Print off and complete Appendix 8, which is the student specific application form – don’t forget to insert your CAS number that you have been sent by the University in the corresponding box.  

Step 4

Print off VAF 9 and send it along with Appendix 8 and all the original documents, including your passport, to the diplomatic post which is detailed in the application procedure.

Step 5

Await the decision. Please remember that if you are making your application in the summer for entry into the UK in September this is peak season and delays are likely. This will be particularly relevant for 2012 due to the Olympic Games being held in London. Please make sure that you leave ample time to make your application. The University cannot expedite applications for its students and therefore timely applications are vital.

Step 6

Check that the information on the visa/entry clearance certificate is correct.

Please also check that your name and date of birth is correct and that it has the University of St Andrews sponsor licence on (V63Q719H2).

Processing times

This varies from post to post and also depends on demand.

What should I do if I am refused?

If your application is refused, contact the Student Services International Advisers for advice.

When can I come to the UK?

You must check the 'valid from' date on your visa. You should not try to enter the UK before this date.

We recommend that before you start the application process you read the UK Borders Agency Tier 4 Student Policy Guidance.

Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS)

This is not a document but an unique number, requested by the University and generated through the UKBA electronic system.   Once generated, the CAS will be issued to new students by Admissions and by the International Student Adviser for returning students.  It will include information about the chosen course of study, fees due, any fees paid, how the student was assessed as eligible to enter the University and the University's details.

Once you have accepted the unconditional offer for your chosen course you will be sent, via email, various requests concerning your passport, personal information etc. You will then be sent a Pre-CAS Check email. It is vitally important that you check the information in this email thoroughly and respond to it as soon as possible to ensure that your CAS is correct and can be issued in a timely manner. Please do not attempt to make an application for a visa until you have received your CAS.

To meet the requirements to come to the UK as a student you need to have 40 points under the Points Based System (PBS).

30 points are awarded for the following:

A valid Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) which is in the format of a unique 13 digit number for a virtual document which contains the following information:

• Qualifications

These are the documents that we have used to assess your suitability to enter into the University to study. The details of this will be included on the Pre-Cas check email that you will receive from Admissions. Unless you are eligible for the 'differentiation arrangements' (see below), you must include the original documents with your application.

• Academic progression

If you have previously gained a degree in the UK the University will need to verify that the course you are entering represents academic progression. We may not be able to issue you a CAS if you have applied to do a course at the same academic level as the one that you have already successfully completed in the UK unless you can demonstrate that it is necessary for your specialisation in a specific area.

• English language proficiency

Students entering the University to do degree level study need to provide evidence that they are proficient in English to the level of CEFR B2 (IELTS 5.5 in each of the 4 components), if they are not coming from a majority English-speaking country.

Majority English-speaking countries are: Antigua and Barbuda, Australia, The Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Canada, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, New Zealand, St Kitts and Nevis, St Lucia, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago, and the United States of America.

Please note that these are the requirements of the immigration rules. The University may require higher levels of English proficiency depending on the level of studies and subject - such requirements are stated in our offer letters.

Students that are entering to undertake courses that are below degree level (Undergraduate Foundation programmes and pre-sessional courses) need evidence of a Secure English Language Test (SELT) at CEFR Level B1 (Level 4 in all 4 components). Students will have to provide the certificate at the time of visa application.

• Academic Technologies Approval Scheme - ATAS Certificate

• If you are studying for an Undergraduate qualification you will not require an ATAS certificate.  
• If you are studying for an Undergraduate course that leads to a Postgraduate qualification you may need to apply for an ATAS certificate.
• If you are coming to the UK to study a Postgraduate course at any level you should  check whether you require an ATAS certificate

10 points are awarded for the following

• Maintenance (Funds) - You must be able to show that you have the required money to cover the costs of your tuition, accommodation and maintenance (living costs) in the UK.

Please remember that all documents must be originals and you must submit your passport!

Current students that are returning home during vacation periods can apply for a new visa if their current visa is due to expire. This is not known as an extension application. It is in effect a new Entry Clearance application, therefore students should follow the advice for new applications (see "applying" above).  However you must be aware that, if your student Visa has expired when you make the application overseas you will be unable to take advantage of the established presence concession detailed below.

The money required by returning students will be significantly less than new applicants if their last period of leave was issued for a course that was more than six months in duration.  If this is the case you will need to show that you have access to or have paid all of your tuition fees and £1,600 for living costs.  If you are living in University accommodation and you have paid your accommodation fees you can offset £1,000 of the required £1,600, therefore you will need to show that you have £600 for living costs.

Students moving university / education provider

Under the Points Based System for migrants, students can only study at the education provider that issued the Confirmation of Acceptance for Study to them.  If you are currently in the UK and have a Tier 4 visa for an institution other than the University of St Andrews and you are planning to come here to study, you will need to make an application for a new visa before you begin your studies with us.  If you have made your application but have not had a response to your application you will be permitted to start your studies as long as you have proof of posting for your application. 

All current students

We would recommend that before you start the application process you should read the UK Borders Agency Tier 4 Student Policy Guidance which can be found on the UKBA website, paying particular attention to the required documents and the specified format of these documents.

If you have been or you are currently studying in the UK you may be eligible to apply for a visa with established presence. This will reduce the amount of money for living / maintenance costs that you need to show.  You are deemed to have established presence in the UK if you:

• have current entry clearance, leave to enter or leave to remain in the UK, and
• have finished a single course that was at least six months long within your last period of entry clearance, leave to enter or leave to remain, or
• are applying for continued study on a single course where you have completed at least six month of that course

You will need to make an application on form Tier 4 (General) Student and pay the fee of £394 for a postal application or £716 for an in person application at a Public Enquiry Office.  These application forms are available at the Student Services Offices or online on the UKBA website.

Under the Points Based System students need to have 40 points.

Students need to be very aware of when their permission to be in the UK is due to expire and plan ahead to make a complete and timely application for further leave to remain.

• You must be studying at an approved education provider that is registered with the UKBA as a sponsor. The University of St Andrews is registered in this category.
• You must provide a Confirmation of Acceptance for Study (CAS) from an institution detailed above. This will be in the form of a unique number entered into the application form.  By providing the CAS you will be allocated 30 points.
• Evidence of funds. You will need to show that you have all of your tution fees and living / maintenance costs.  If you are on a course of under 9 months you will need £800 for each month of the course; if your course is more than nine months in duration you will need £7,200.  If you are eligible for established presence you will need to provide evidence that you have your tuition fees and £1,600 for living / maintenance costs.  For proof of funds students will be awarded 10 points.
• Available funds must be in cash and banked in your name or in an account held by your parents. Shares, bonds, pension funds and similar accounts will no longer be acceptable proof of finances.
• If you are to be accompanied by your dependants you will need to show that you have enough money to support them - details of these requirements are available on the UKBA website. 
• Evidence of finances must indicate that the money has been available to you for a period of 28 days at the time of application, i.e. on the day it is posted to UKBA.

Please note that under the new system there will not be a facility to send additional information in support of an application once the documents have been received by UKBA.  All documents must be originals and present at the time of application.

The International Advisers in Student Services will look over the application with you to ensure that the information that is given about the University is correct and that the information about your funding agrees with what is entered on the CAS and held on the University system. It is important that you take time to check your application form and take the opportunity to carefully check the application with the Adviser, as the application remains your responsibility and this will be the last opportunity to ask questions and make corrections.

It is important to note that there are often trends in decision making by UKBA Caseworkers. If the Advisers are aware of these they may ask for a specific document, piece of information or that you change something that you have provided.  This is to try and ensure that your application goes through without delay.

Once complete the application will be posted from the Student Services offices to the Student Batch Scheme at UK Border Agency, by Recorded Delivery. The Advisers do not have any powers of persuasion over UKBA Caseworkers, and cannot guarantee visa approval, processing times etc.

Students should be aware that application times vary, and can be very long during busy times (predominantly August – December). Travel arrangements should not be made until the applicants passport and ID Card/BRP are returned.  The International Student Advisers cannot request applications to be expedited by UKBA once the application has been submitted; if you know that you need to travel you should submit a travel itinerary with your application but you must be aware that this does not guarantee that you will get your visa in time for travel unless your trip is for academic purposes.

Appointments can be made by visiting Student Services, 2nd Floor, Students' Union Building, by email or by phoning 01334 462720.

This scheme is operated by the Foreign Commonwealth Office and is specifically designed to ensure that those applying for postgraduate study in certain sensitive subjects do not acquire knowledge that could potentially be used in WMD programmes. We advise you to find out if you need an ATAS certificate before applying for a student visa or extension.

Undergraduate students

If you are studying on an Undergraduate level course that leads to the award of an undergraduate degree you will not need to apply for an ATAS certificate.  However if you are studying an undergraduate level course that leads to the award of a Postgraduate Masters you may need to apply for an ATAS certificate if your course code begins with:

• F2 – Materials Science
• F3 – Physics (including Nuclear Physics)
• H3 – Mechanical Engineering
• H4 – Aerospace Engineering
• H8 – Chemical, Process and Energy Engineering
• J5 – Materials Technology not otherwise specified

Taught Masters students

Students that are studying on a Postgraduate Masters course with a course code that begins with those below will need to apply for an ATAS certificate:

• F2 – Materials Science
• F3 – Physics (including Nuclear Physics)
• H3 – Mechanical Engineering
• H4 – Aerospace Engineering
• H8 – Chemical, Process and Energy Engineering
• J5 – Materials Technology not otherwise specified

Postgraduate research students

You will need an ATAS certificate if your area of study has a JACS code listed below:

Subjects allied to medicine

JACS codes beginning

• B1 – Anatomy, Physiology and Pathology
• B2 – Pharmacology, Toxicology and Pharmacy
• B9 – Others in Subjects allied to Medicine

Biological sciences

JACS codes beginning:

• C1 – Biology
• C2 – Botany
• C4 – Genetics
• C5 – Microbiology
• C7 – Molecular Biology, Biophysics and Biochemistry
• C9 – Others in Biological Sciences.

Veterinary sciences, agriculture and related subjects

JACS codes beginning:

• D3 – Animal Science
• D9 – Others in Veterinary Sciences, Agriculture and related subjects.

Physical sciences

JACS codes beginning:

• F1 – Chemistry
• F2 – Materials Science
• F3 – Physics
• F5 – Astronomy
• F8 – Physical Geographical Sciences
• F9 – Others in Physical Sciences.

Mathematical and computer sciences

JACS codes beginning:

• G0 –Mathematical and Computer Sciences
• G1 – Mathematics
• G2 – Operational Research
• G4 – Computer Science
• G7 – Artificial Intelligence
• G9 – Others in Mathematical and Computing Sciences.

Engineering

JACS codes beginning:

• H1 – General Engineering
• H2 – Civil Engineering
• H3 – Mechanical Engineering
• H4 – Aerospace Engineering
• H5 – Naval Architecture
• H6 – Electronic and Electrical Engineering
• H7 – Production and Manufacturing Engineering
• H8 – Chemical, Process and Energy Engineering
• H9 – Others in Engineering.

Computer sciences

JACS codes beginning:

• I1 – Computer Science
• I4 – Artificial Intelligence
• I9 – Others in computer Sciences

Technologies

JACS codes beginning:

• J2 – Metallurgy
• J4 – Polymers and Textiles
• J5 – Materials Technology not otherwise specified
• J7 – Industrial Biotechnology
• J9 – Others in Technology.

If students need to apply for ATAS clearance they must do so before they start the visa application process, ATAS clearance can take up to a month to come through in busy periods. The student will need to provide details of their specific area of research, which will need to be confirmed in writing by Admissions for new students, or the student's Academic Supervisor for returning students.

More details on the ATAS scheme.