Tier 4 Student Visa: FAQ

Visas & Immigration

Applying for a Tier 4 Student Visa: Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is a CAS?

CAS stands for ‘Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies’. This is a virtual document similar to a database record, which has a unique reference number and contains information about the course of study for which it was issued and the student’s personal details. The Royal Welsh College will produce you a CAS as soon as your application to study here has been successfully processed.

You will be issued with a CAS statement which will hold some of the information that the College used when assigning your CAS. You will need this information to accurately complete your Tier 4 Student Visa application and to be sure of what supporting documents you will need to submit with your application.

2. When can I make my Tier 4 application?

You can apply for a Tier 4 student visa up to three months before the start of your course.

3. Do I need an Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) Certificate?

No

4. Do I need to undertake tuberculosis screening?

Before getting a visa, nationals from Bangladesh, Ghana, Kenya, Pakistan, Sudan, Tanzania and Thailand will need to be tested for tuberculosis (TB) and obtain a certificate that states they are free from infectious TB. The test includes having a chest X-ray at an accredited clinic or hospital run by the International Organisation for Migration. To check whether you need to obtain a TB certificate before you travel you can check the UK Visa Services website.

5. Some of my supporting documents are not in English. Do I need a translation?

If any of your documents are not in English, the original must be accompanied by a fully certified translation by a professional translator. This translation must include:

  • Details of the translator/translation company’s credentials; and
  • Confirmation that it is an accurate translation of the original document; and
  • The translator/translation company’s contact details.
  • The date, plus the original signature of the translator or an authorised official of the translation company

6. What documents should I provide as proof that I meet the maintenance requirements?

The UKBA are very specific about the financial documents they accept as proof that you meet the maintenance requirements. You can prove you have the money if you have either:

  1. Cash in a bank/ building society;
  2. A loan in your name;
  3. Official financial or government sponsorship.

* Cash in a bank/ building society
Your money must be held in cash. Shares, bonds, overdrafts, credit cards, pension funds and similar savings accounts will not be accepted, regardless of notice periods. Detailed guidance on what documentation will be accepted by the UKBA can be found in the Tier 4 Policy Guidance which you can access from the right hand side of the UKBA website.

More information on the most commonly used evidence used by Royal Welsh College students are provided below:

If you are using overseas currency, the UKBA will expect you to write on the document the closing balance in pounds sterling. They use the official exchange rate on the OANDA website.

*A loan in your name
If you are relying on a loan to fund your studies, you must provide a letter from a financial institution regulated by either the Financial Services Authority or, in the case of overseas accounts, the home regulator (official regulatory body for the country the institution is in and where the money is held) confirming the loan.

The letter must be dated no more than 6 months before the date of the application and must show:

  • Your name
  • The date of the letter
  • The financial institution’s name and logo
  • The money (or funds) available as a loan

Loans held in a parent or legal guardian’s name cannot be used as evidence of money held by the student.

If you are an American student who is applying for funding from the Direct Loan program, you will need a ‘Notification of Student Loan’ letter for submission with your visa application. The Royal Welsh College's Finance Department will send you this letter once you have completed an application for funding from the Direct Loan program. For further information please visit the Scholarships and Funding page.

* Official financial sponsorship
The UKBA’s definition of official financial sponsorship is where a student is given money to cover some or all of their course fees and/or living costs by one of the following:

  • The UK Government or your country’s Government;
  • The British Council;
  • Any international organisation;
  • Any international company;
  • Any University.

You will need to provide a letter from your financial sponsor in support of your visa application. The letter must be on official letter-headed paper and must have the official stamp of the organisation on it.The letter must show:

  • Your name;
  • The name and contact details of the official financial sponsor;
  • The date of the letter;
  • The length of the sponsorship (including start and end date);
  • The amount of money they will give you or a statement that they will be covering all of your tuition fees and living expenses.

If your sponsor only pays some of your costs, you will need a letter from them (as above) and proof that you have enough money yourself to meet the rest of the maintenance requirement e.g. bank statements (any payments from your sponsor appearing in your bank statement will not be considered as available personal funds, i.e. money cannot be counted twice as evidence of maintenance).

If your sponsorship covers all your tuition fees and living costs, and your sponsor limits the time that you may study in the UK, your visa will be limited to the same length of time (which is stated on the sponsor letter) plus the usual post-course period allowed.

7. When can I come to the UK after my visa is issued?

Your course start date is the date given on your CAS. If you are doing a course that is six months or more, or a course to prepare you for study (known as a pre-sessional course) that is less than six months, you will be able to come to the UK up to one month before the course start date.

However, please note that it will not be possible for you to open a UK bank account until you are enrolled at the College. Therefore it is best not to come too early.

If you are doing a course that is less than six months and is not a course to prepare you for study, you will be able to come to the UK up to 7 days before the course start date.

8. How long can I come to the UK for?

When considering your application for entry clearance (a visa) the British Embassy, High Commission or Consulate in your country should comply with the guidance that you can access on our correct visa lengths page.

Please note that if you have financial sponsorship, and your financial sponsor limits the time you may study in the UK, your visa will be issued for the same length of time (which is stated on the sponsor letter) plus the usual post-course period allowed.

9. What type of study can I do at the Royal Welsh College?

You must be doing full-time study in the UK on either:

  • A full-time course of study that leads to a UK recognised bachelor or postgraduate degree;
  • A pre-sessional English language course attached to a recognised RWCMD course. The minimum level of study is set at Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) Level B2 (unless you are a government sponsored student).

10. What if my application for entry clearance is refused?

If you think that a mistake has been made then it is possible to ask the UKBA to check the decision. This is known as an ‘administrative review’ and is free of charge. Full guidance on this can be found in Tier 4 Policy Guidance

If you would like advice from the Admissions Team regarding your visa refusal then please contact us.

11. What if I change my mind and want to do a different course of study at the Royal Welsh College?

Please contact the Admissions Team.

12. What if I change my mind and want to study at a different University?

If you have applied for your Tier 4 Student Visa since October 5th 2009, you are only able to study at the institution which issued the CAS which you used to apply for your visa. If you try to use a Royal Welsh College visa to study at another institution you will be committing a criminal offence and can be refused immigration permission in the future. Your current visa can also be curtailed.

In order to be allowed to study at a different institution you will need to make a new Tier 4 Student Visa application using a CAS issued by that institution.

It is imperative that you ensure you have the correct Tier 4 student visa before you leave your home country.

13. Can I work in the UK?

International students holding a Tier 4 Student Visa are able to work in the UK, subject to certain restrictions. More information can be found on our Working during your studies page.

Further information about working during your studies can be found in the Working during your Studies guidance note produced by UKCISA: the UK Council for International Student Affairs.

14. Can I bring my family with me to the UK as my dependants?

If you are studying a course of longer than six months and are holding a Tier 4 Student Visa you may be able to bring your partner and (if applicable) your children with you to the UK. More information can be found on our Bringing your Family page or the UK Border Agency website.

Disclaimer: The information provided on this page is given in good faith and has been carefully checked with The UK Council for International Student Affairs and the UK Border Agency. However please note that the Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama accepts no legal responsibility for its accuracy. Immigration law is subject to change; please ensure that you have the most up to date information by checking the websites listed under the “Useful resources” subheading above.