Applying for a Visa

A Student Visa (formerly known as a Tier 4 visa) is required for students enrolling on a course lasting more than 6 months, or for English language courses longer than 11 months.

To apply for this visa, you must first be issued a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS). A CAS will be issued once you have:

• Met all admissions requirements
• Completed and passed a Pre-CAS interview (if required)
• Paid the required tuition fee deposit
• Submitted the necessary CAS documents that meet UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) requirements

Understanding Your Responsibilities

It is your responsibility as a student to be aware of the visa requirements. We strongly recommend researching these requirements as early as possible — ideally when you begin the course application process — to ensure that you are eligible.

The most up-to-date information about Student Visas, including application fees, can be found on the official UK government website.

Documents Required for Your CAS Request

1. Passport

You must hold a valid passport at the time of your visa application. It does not need to be valid for the entire duration of your course when entering the UK.

Note: If you receive a new passport while your Student Visa application is being processed, you must inform us so we can update your CAS with your new passport details.

2. Financial Evidence

To obtain a Student Visa, you must demonstrate that you have sufficient funds to cover your tuition fees and living expenses

a) Tuition Fees: You must show you have sufficient funds to cover the first year of tuition fees, minus any tuition deposit or scholarship already applied.

b) Living Expenses: You must show you have sufficient funds to support yourself in the UK.
Currently, the UKVI requirement is £1,136 per month, for up to 9 months, for courses outside London.

You must show you’ve held the total required funds for at least 28 consecutive days, and the final day of this period must be within 31 days of your visa application date.

Using Bank Statements

Bank statements used as evidence must:

• Be dated no earlier than 31 days before your visa application
• Show the required funds were held for the full 28-day period
• Be from accounts that cover the same 28-day period (if using multiple accounts)

Your bank statement must include:

• Your full name
• Account number
• Bank’s name, address and logo
• Total funds available
• State what currency the funds are held in

If your statement is in a foreign currency, include a currency conversion using OANDA.

Accepted formats:

• Paper statements on official bank stationery
• Electronic statements (PDF downloads)
• Joint account statements listing your name
• Parent(s)/guardian account statements, submitted with:
• Your original birth certificate (or equivalent),
• A signed letter (in English) from your parent(s)/guardian confirming their relationship to you and giving permission to use their funds.

Bank Letter (as an alternative)

Bank letters can be accepted in place of a statement. The letter must:

• Confirm the required amount of funds available
• Be dated no earlier than 31 days before your visa application
• Confirm that the required funds were held for a continuous 28-day period
• Confirm that you have unrestricted access to the funds
• Be on official bank stationery or an electronic record.

It must include:

• Your name
• Account number
• Date of issue
• Bank’s name, address, and logo
• Currency

Certificate of Deposit

A certificate of deposit (fixed deposit) can be used as evidence of proof of funds as long as the document meets the following requirements:

• The certificate of deposit must have been issued by a bank that confirms that an individual has deposited or invested a sum of money
• The funds have been held for the required 28-day period
• The funds can be accessed at any time

Alternative Funding Sources

If you are using a Financial Guarantee, Education Loan, or Government/Private Scholarship, these documents will be reviewed by the Admissions and Visa Compliance Team to ensure they meet UKVI requirements.

Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS)

Depending on your nationality and chosen course, you may need to obtain an ATAS certificate. Please check the ATAS guidance on the UK government website to confirm if this applies to you.

Tuberculosis (TB) Test

If you are from a country where TB testing is required, you must submit a valid TB certificate before a CAS can be issued.
Check if you need a test here: Check TB test requirement – GOV.UK

Note: If you have been living in a country for the past six months where the TB Test is not required then you will not need to take a TB Test.

Immigration Healthcare Surcharge (IHS)

The National Health Service (NHS) Surcharge is paid as part of the visa application and grants the visa holder access to free healthcare services in the UK

The NHS surcharge is calculated based on the length of visa being applied for.

• £776 for each year of your student visa
• £388 for each part of a year that is six months or less

Course Restrictions for Student Visa Holders

Unfortunately, we are unable to sponsor Student Visas onto our Foundation Degree (FdSc) and Foundation Year (leading to FdSc) courses. These courses typically last three to four years, but Student Visa rules only permit a maximum of two years study below degree level.

A Visitor visa permits a range of activities for those who only wish to enter the UK on a temporary basis. This includes study of up to 6 months. Whether you are required to apply for this visa in advance of arrival depends on whether you are a ‘visa national’ or a ‘non-visa national’ Those who are a visa national need to make their visa application and gain their entry clearance prior to travel. Those who are non-visa nationals can travel without prior clearance and declare their purpose for travel when they arrive, to receive a stamp in their passport (although a visa can be applied for in advance if preferred)

All students commencing a course which is eligible to study on a Visitor visa will be issued with a letter by the relevant Admissions Officer containing details of the course, study dates, fees and other costs applied and how the student has been assessed as suitable for study. This will only be issued once the student has satisfied all conditions for entry.

Further details on this visa type can be found on the government website and you are advised to use the visa checker above to determine if you would need to apply for it in advance.

This visa category is now solely for the purpose of studying an English Language course which is no longer than 11 months in duration. This visa must be applied for in advance. If you study a pre-sessional English course at Harper Adams University you will be advised which visa category is the most appropriate for you to apply for. Further details can be found on the government website.

Anyone entering the UK from the EU, EEA and Switzerland, with the exception of those from the Republic of Ireland, who previously had ‘free-movement’ in the UK, will now be required to have a visa to enter the UK in line with the categories above. This is a result of ‘Brexit’ and the UK leaving the EU on the 1^st January 2021.

Although the deadline for applying to the EU Settlement Scheme has now passed, students who are already in the UK may still be able to apply if they can show 'reasonable grounds' for missing the 30 June 2021 dealine. 

Successful applicants for the scheme will be granted either pre-settled, or settled status, based on how long they have already been in the UK. Pre-settled status is for 5 years and can be updated to settled status, which has no end date, once the 5 years residency requirement has been met. Please visit the Gov.uk Apply to the EU Settlement Scheme (settled and pre-settled status) webpage for full details.

Anyone who does not apply for the Scheme (which is free) will be required to make an application for a Student visa to continue their course and to remain in the UK.