Visa Requirements

Applying for a student visa

Home Office points-based system

The Home Office operates a points-based system for those coming into the UK to work and study. This immigration scheme consists of five tiers, which allows nationals from outside the EU/EEA to live, work or study in the UK. The system is underpinned by the principle of sponsorship. Falmouth University is an A-rated, government approved education provider and acceptance to study here takes you a long way towards gaining entry to the UK.

Once you have firmly accepted your offer of a place your offer has become 'unconditional'. You will then need to pay your acceptance fee and the next step after this will be for us to issue a CAS (Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies) statement to you, to support your Tier 4 Student Visa application. You won't be able to begin your visa application without it. You will be asked to provide certain documentation with your Tier 4 application, and these will need to be in accordance with Home Office Tier 4 guidance.

Before we can issue a CAS statement to support your Tier 4 Student Visa application, we need to be satisfied that you meet all UK Visa and Immigration (UKVI) financial requirements and that you will not have your application refused on financial grounds.

• With this in mind, we will be asking you to provide copies of that evidence so that we can check that it meets UKVI requirements.
• We'll be using the Applicant Portal to do this from mid-May onwards, but it would be helpful for you to familiarise yourself beforehand with the items we will be asking for, so that you can prepare.

The UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA) provides detailed information about the items you will be asked to provide.

• Please check the 'Requirements' and 'Evidence' sections of their Tier 4: eligibility and requirements page carefully.
• There is information there on what financial documents you can provide, and the conditions those documents need to meet.
• Your documents must show funds held for a consecutive 28-day period (finishing on the date of the closing balance) ending no more than 31 days before your Tier 4 visa application, and no later than the date of the Tier 4 application.

Once we have approved the documentation you've provided, we'll begin issuing CAS statements from mid-June onwards. Your CAS will be valid for 6 months but can only be used 3 months prior to the course start date. You cannot use your CAS more than once.

In addition to completed application forms, you will be required to show evidence of your main educational qualification, as well as evidence that you meet the maintenance requirements outlined below.

To apply for a visa as a Tier 4 (General) student, you must have 40 points in the points assessment. You can score:

• 30 points for having a valid confirmation of acceptance for studies, which you get for studying a course at an acceptable level with an approved education provider (Tier 4 sponsor), and for having acceptable English language skills
• 10 points for having enough money (maintenance or funds) to cover your course fees and living costs

The money you need depends on the length and location of your course. To score 10 points you must show you can pay the course fees for your first period of study (or the next period of study, if you are applying to continue a course) and your living costs for up to nine months.

Once your student visa is issued using Falmouth University documentation, you will be able to study at Falmouth University only.

Course registration requirements

When you register on your course at Falmouth you will be required to submit a copy of your entitlement to study in the UK, as well as the standard registration requirements such as paying your course fees and confirming your personal details. This evidence may be a copy of a valid student visa from your passport or a copy of your biometric ID card. You will also be required to keep us up to date with your latest contact details including your address and telephone number.

Our role as your sponsor

As well as registering as a sponsor and providing course applicants and visa extension applicants with the right documentation, we have a duty to comply with Home Office requirements. We are obliged to inform the Home Office if non-EU/EEA nationals here as students under the points-based system:

• Fail to enrol no later than ten working days after the end of your prescribed enrolment period
• Are absent for prolonged periods - ten expected contact points during the academic year
• Withdraw or go into abeyance from your studies
• Defer your studies after arrival in the UK
• Change your programme in any significant way, eg change the mode of study or shorten the duration of the course

Current international students at Falmouth who applied for a student visa prior to the introduction of the points-based system in March 2009 are not affected by these requirements.

Your role and responsibilities as a student

Whilst in the UK, you must comply with the conditions of your student visa. Please pay particular attention to the following areas:

• Police registration - if you are required to register with the police, you should usually do so within seven days of arrival in the UK. You will be given a certificate that you must keep safely. If you need to change address or extend your visa, you will need to refer to this certificate
• Registering for your course - it is essential that you fully register for your course, including making payment arrangements for your tuition fees
• Work - generally, international students in the UK on a student visa are allowed to work up to 20 hours per week during term time and full-time during vacations. There are instances where working rights are not given so you should check your student visa carefully to ensure you are eligible for work. If you are on a course with an integral period of work placement (eg a sandwich course) you are allowed to work full-time for the duration of the placement. Full details are available on the Home Office website.