Tier 4 information
The application form that you will complete and the documents you submit will depend on where you are applying from and whether or not you have already started your course of study. Tier 4 applicants need to earn a total of 40 points to be granted a visa. Below is information on some of the documents required to obtain a Tier 4 visa and the restrictions in place.
CAS (30 points)
Before you can apply for your Tier 4 visa you will need a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) number. A CAS is issued by the University and a reference number and supporting letter will be given to you which you will need to include in your application form. The CAS contains your personal details and details of the course you will be studying. A CAS is valid for 6 months and must be used in an application within that time frame.
If you are a new student or progressing onto a new course, your CAS will be issued by the Admissions department of the university. If you need a new visa to continue studying on the same course, your CAS will be issued by the Immigration Advisor. If you are a new or existing PhD student, the Research Office will issue your CAS.
A CAS can only be used once. If you apply using one CAS number and that application is refused, you cannot use the same CAS number again. You will need to contact the person who issued your CAS and provide them with a copy of your refusal letter. They will then make a decision with regards to issuing another CAS.
Maintenance (funds) (10 points)
Maintenance (funds) refers to the amount of money you must have available to you. You must show that you have access to a certain level of funds to meet your living costs in the UK and outstanding course fees. Please see Maintenance (funds) for more information.
English Language
If you are studying a course that is below degree level (HND, International Foundation Programme) you will need to take a Secure English Language Test (SELT) and achieve a score that shows you have a B1 level of English. For example, in an IELTS test you must score 4.0 in Listening, Reading, Speaking and Writing.
If you are studying at or above degree level, you need to be at a B2 level of English. This is equivalent to a score of 5.5 on an IELTS test. The Admissions officer dealing with your application will inform you of what documents they may want to see to confirm your English language ability for degree level.
Check the UKBA list of acceptable tests to see what test you can take and the scores you need.
If you are a national of one of the following majority English speaking countries (as identified by by UKBA) you do not need to provide a SELT:
- 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
- United States of America
Furthermore, if you have an academic qualification equivalent to a UK Bachelors degree taught in one of the above countries(plus the UK and Ireland, but not Canada), you will also meet the English language requirement and will not require a SELT.
Academic Progression and Time Limits
Students who have previously completed a course in the UK can only study a new course if it is a higher level. For example, if you have completed a Bachelors degree (NQF level 6) you would be expected to then study a Masters degree (NQF level 7). If you wish to study another course at the same level as your previous course, you will need to justify this when you apply.
You must also be aware of time limits that are in place for Tier 4 students. Any time you have spent studying in the UK on a Tier 4 visa, or a student visa under the rules that were in place before March 2009, will count towards the maximum time allowed. The time limits are as follows:
- Three years for courses below degree level (HND, International Foundation Programme)
- Five years for courses at or above degree level (Bachelors, Masters)
Time spent studying on a Tier 4 (Child) visa does not count towards the time limit.
PhD courses are not subject to these time limits.
You should inform our Admissions team of any previous study in the UK when you apply.
ATAS Certificates
An Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) certificate is required if you wish to study certain courses in the fields of science, technology or engineering. At Derby, the MSc Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering course and certain PhD courses require an ATAS certificate. The Research Office will inform PhD applicants if they need to apply for the certificate.
You must have your ATAS certificate before you apply for your visa. Check the ATAS section of the Foreign Office website for more information and the online application.
Contact Details
Ash Slater, Immigration Advisor: +44 (0) 1332 591616 or visa@derby.ac.uk
Admissions Department: +44 (0) 1332 591167 or askadmissions@derby.ac.uk
Research Office: +44 (0) 1332 591060 or researchoffice@derby.ac.uk
