Making your Student visa application
Find out about how to apply for your Student visa.
Step-by-step guide
Read all the information below before applying for your student visa. When you're ready to start, find out how to complete your visa application online using either:
If you're an EU, EEA, or Swiss student, the application process is different for you. Find out about visas for EU, EEA and Swiss students.
1. Check when and where you can apply
You'll need to make your Student visa application overseas if:
- you're currently outside of the UK and don’t have a valid UK visa
- you've taken a Break in Study / you’re repeating without attendance and you're applying for a new visa to resume your studies
- your current visa expires 29 days or more before the start of your course at NTU
- you've changed courses and need extra time to complete your current course
- your course end date has changed, due to coursework deadline extensions and you need extra time to complete your current course
You can make your Student visa application in the UK or overseas if:
- you’re starting a new course at NTU and your visa expires 28 days or less before the start of your course, or
- your visa expires after the start date of your course at NTU
You should also be eligible to make your Student visa application from the UK if you:
- are a PhD student extending your Student visa to complete your current course
- are required to resit an exam or repeat a course module with full-time attendance
- have already repeated parts of your course and need extra time on your visa to complete the rest of your course
- are applying to extend your Student visa so you can take part in a study abroad programme or go on a work placement
- have added a period of study abroad or a work placement to your course, and you need extra time to finish your course as a result of this
You must provide evidence of travel if:
- you're a continuing student, and
- you're required to make your visa application from overseas under the UKVI student immigration rules
If you fall into this category, we cannot issue a CAS until you've shown evidence of travel. Examples of evidence that you've returned overseas include:
- flight booking confirmation
- boarding pass
If you are required to apply overseas but you make your visa application in the UK and your visa is refused on that basis, you won't be issued a further CAS.
You can make your Student visa application a maximum of six months before your new course start date if you are applying outside the UK, and three months before your course start date if you are applying from inside the UK. The earliest your visa can start is one month before your course start date.
2. Check what documents you need
All students need the following.
- A CAS from NTU.
- Your passport.
- Evidence of funds to pay your tuition fees and living costs, e.g. bank statements or a sponsorship letter. This is unless you don't need to prove you have this money for your visa application. See the section below on preparing your financial evidence.
- Evidence of your knowledge of English. See the 'evidence used to obtain offer' section of your CAS.
Some students will also need:
- your UK Biometric Residence Permit
- ATAS Certificate
- if you're 16 or 17, a consent letter from your parents and evidence of your relationship, such as a birth certificate
- birth certificate and consent letter from parents, if using your parents’ financial evidence
- tuberculosis (TB) clearance certificate. See the GOV.UK website for the full list of countries where this requirement applies.
Any documents not in English must be accompanied by a professional translation.
3. Prepare your financial evidence
If you're applying to start a new course at Nottingham Trent University or Confetti Nottingham campus, you need:
- £9,207 for living costs (or a sum which equals £1,023 per month of your course if your course is less than 9 months), plus any outstanding course fees for the first year of your course, as shown on your CAS.
If you're applying so you can continue your current course in Nottingham, you need:
- £1,023 per month left on the course, up to a maximum of £9,207, plus any outstanding course fees showing on your CAS.
If you’re applying to start a new course at Confetti London, you need:
- £12,006 for living costs (or a sum which equals £1,334 per month of your course if your course is less than 9 months), plus any outstanding tuition fees for the first year of your course.
You must be able to show that you've saved the required funds for a period of at least 28 days before the date of your visa application. The date of your application is the date you paid your visa application fee. It is not the date of your appointment at the visa application centre.
You don't need to prove you have this money for your visa application if:
- you've been in the UK with a valid visa for at least 12 months, and
- you're making your visa application in the UK.
This also applies to your dependants.
Some students won't be asked to provide financial evidence under the differential arrangements. These students must still make sure they meet the financial requirements. UKVI may request evidence of this as part of the visa decision process.
4. Pay your visa fee and submit your application
If you're applying from outside the UK:
- read our International Student Support Service guidance on applying from outside the UK
- complete the online application form
- Students studying a course at NTU or Confetti Nottingham should enter the code 2HE392 in the 'Alternative Location' field in the visa application form. You can then collect your BRP from NTU’s city campus when you arrive.
- Students studying a course at Confetti London will need to provide the address where they will be staying on arrival, and will need to collect their BRP from a post office in the local area (the exact post office location will be confirmed on the decision email)
If you're applying from inside the UK:
- read our International Student Support Service guidance on applying from inside the UK
- use our visa application checking service to ensure that you meet the requirements
- complete the online application form.
You must submit your application online and pay the fee before your current visa expires.
5. Book and attend an appointment
For applications made outside the UK:
- The appointment will be at a visa application centre.
- This may be in a different country to where you normally live.
- See the UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) website. There you'll find details of your local visa application centre.
For applications made in the UK:
- Most students will be able to use the UK Immigration ID Check app to verify their identity and upload their documents
- Students who cannot use the app will need to register an account on the UK Visa and Citizenship Application Services (UKVCAS) website and attend a visa appointment
When you apply, you'll be told:
- if you need to bring anything to your appointment, and
- whether you need to upload any documents before your appointment.
During the appointment, you'll need to enrol your fingerprints and facial image. This is known as 'biometric information'. You may be required to attend a credibility interview. See our section on credibility interviews for further information.
6. Get the results of your application
If your application has been successful, check the details on your visa are correct. Please also check if you have been granted a digital visa or if you will need to collect a BRP (Biometric Residence Permit) when you arrive in the UK. This will be explained in your visa decision email which will also clarify the full length of the visa that you have been granted.
You'll normally need to collect your BRP when you arrive if you are:
- not an EU, EEA or Swiss national, and
- you're coming to the UK for more than six months.
You can collect it from:
- NTU, if you will be studying in Nottingham and if you chose that option when you applied, or
- a local post office (all students studying at Confetti London will need to collect their BRP from a post office near their address).
If you're an EU, EEA and Swiss national, the visa will normally be granted as a digital immigration status. You can view this online.
If you’re applying for your visa in the UK, your BRP will be delivered to you. A courier will bring it to your correspondence address in the UK.
If your visa application is not successful, please contact us.
You must enter the UK within the validity of your student visa permission. You cannot enter on your student immigration permission before the 'valid from' date. You cannot enter the UK earlier as a standard visitor (tourist) and then switch to your student visa. If you enter the UK as a visitor before your student visa start date, you must leave the UK and Common Travel Area and re-enter the UK in order to activate your immigration permission as a student.
Biometric residence permit (BRP)
This information is for students from outside the EU, EEA and Switzerland. It applies if you are coming to the UK for six months or more on a Student visa, and if your visa will be issued on a BRP. Alternatively, your visa may be issued in a digital format, which you can view online.
There are two stages to the process:
- You'll be issued with a vignette (sticker) in your passport. This will be valid to travel to the UK within 90 days only. It will be accompanied by a letter with instructions about the second stage.
- Within ten days of arriving in the UK, you will be required to collect a BRP.
Requesting collection of your BRP from NTU
Students studying courses at NTU and Confetti Nottingham students and their dependents may collect their BRP from NTU City Campus. We recommend you choose this option (please note this option is not available to students doing Confetti London courses).
To have your BRP delivered to NTU, enter the code 2HE392 in the 'Alternative Location' field. When you press 'Find', the NTU address will appear.
Please note that this option is only available to NTU and Confetti Nottingham students and their dependents.
Requesting collection of your BRP from a Post Office
For Confetti London students, when completing your Student visa application online, you must enter a UK postcode. You should use the address where you will stay on arrival if you know it. If not, enter the postcode for your main study address in the UK (as stated on your CAS email). This will identify a local Post Office where you should collect your BRP.
Collecting your BRP from NTU
If you are eligible to collect your BRP from NTU, you’ll be able to do this at the International Enrolment Event on City Campus during our enrolment periods. Please note you cannot collect your BRP from other NTU campuses, you must come to the City Campus.
Outside of enrolment periods, Academic Registry staff will email you when your BRP is delivered to the University and you will be able to make an appointment to collect it.
In order to collect your BRP, please make sure you bring your passport and your visa decision email with you.
Email immigrationadmin@ntu.ac.uk if you have any queries about the collection of your BRP.
Collecting your BRP from a Post Office
If collecting your BRP from a local Post Office, make sure you take your passport with you.
We also advise that you collect your BRP from the post office before attending the International Enrolment Event, as you will need to show your BRP and documentation to staff in order to enrol.
Problems or errors on your BRP
Please check your BRP carefully. If you see any errors, or have difficultly collecting your BRP, please contact us. Please note all BRPs have a maximum validity date of 31/12/24. After that date, all visas will be digital. Please check your visa decision email to make sure your visa end date is correct.
Using your BRP
You will need your BRP:
- when re-entering the UK if you leave (e.g. to go on holiday)
- to open a bank account
- to show you're lawfully in the UK - this will be required by landlords when renting a room in a shared house, for example
- to demonstrate you're entitled to part-time work (e.g. to show your employer).
You will not need to carry your BRP at all times when you are in the UK.
Lost BRPs
If you lose your BRP, please check how to report this and apply for a replacement. If you need further advice, contact us.
Credibility interviews
As part of the visa application process, you may be asked to attend a credibility interview via Skype. These interviews ensure only genuine students get permission to come to the UK to study. The answers you give will influence the outcome of your visa application.
Where the credibility interview will take place
The interview will be conducted via video conference (Skype for example) or by telephone. You'll receive an email giving you all the details including the date and time of the interview. During the interview, the person asking the questions will take a typewritten transcript, and this will be considered alongside your application and supporting documents by the person making the decision.
Who will interview you
The interviews are conducted by a member of UKVI staff. The interviews are always conducted in English. It's very important that you attend the interview at the appointed date and time. Failure to do so is likely to result in your visa application being refused.
What you'll be asked about
We've put together some guidance to help you prepare. You'll need to carry out further research of your own, and think about your personal situation. You need to give specific and detailed answers. If your answers are incomplete or vague, the interviewer won't ask further questions. It's your responsibility to give the most comprehensive answers you can.
Education history, study and post-study plans
| Questions you might be asked | How you can prepare |
|---|---|
Why did you choose NTU? Why did you choose to study in the UK? Did you consider any other universities? | Think about what attracts you to study at NTU compared to other UK and global universities. Be prepared to give specific information about why you chose NTU. |
Why did you choose your course? | Research your course. What modules does it include? How will you be assessed? Does it include a work placement? What are the future employment prospects? Which campus is your course based at? |
What do you know about NTU, Nottingham, and the campus you are studying at? | Speak to our representatives in your country if possible. Learn about your campus facilities and location, how you will get there, etc. Read about starting at NTU. |
What was the last course you studied and when? How does your course choice fit with your previous study? What are your future plans for work or study, and how does your course relate to that? | Think about your personal situation, your previous studies and your career aspirations. Be prepared to speak about the possible employment or promotion opportunities back home once you have completed your studies, including future earnings. How does this new course at NTU fit into this? Your plans can change in the future, but you'll need to show you've thought about it. |
Financial circumstances
| Questions you might be asked | How you can prepare |
|---|---|
How much are your tuition fees? | Your CAS will state how much your tuition fees are and how much you have paid already. Find out more about tuition fees and fee payment arrangements. |
Who will be responsible for paying your tuition fees and living expenses? How do they plan to finance it? For example, will it be through work or savings, or by some other means? | You need to provide suitable financial evidence as part of the visa application. Find out more about financial evidence for Student visa applications. Be ready to give further information about:
|
Where are you going to be living in Nottingham? How much will your accommodation fees be? Who will you live with? Will your accommodation be on or off campus? How will you travel to your campus, and how much will this cost? | Our managing your money pages give information on budgeting and day-to-day costs Our accommodation pages give information on NTU and private-sector accommodation. |
Personal circumstances
| Questions you might be asked | How you can prepare |
|---|---|
Do you have family in the UK? Are you bringing dependants to the UK with you? | UKVI will be looking to determine that your main purpose of coming to the UK is for your studies. If your main purpose is something else, you should look for a more appropriate visa category. Examples include joining family members in the UK, or for dependants to work, etc. |
Visa application checking service
Trained advisers will review your application form and documents. They'll check that they meet the UKVI requirements.
If you wish to use this service, you will need to submit your application and your documents to us by email. An adviser will check the application and contact you by email. They'll give you some feedback on your application. They'll also offer guidance about what to do next to complete the application process.
Visa application fees
Visa application fees are non-refundable. This applies if:
- your application is refused
- you change mind and withdraw your application
- you do not use your visa
- you do not stay in the UK for the full duration of your visa.
Outside the UK standard application
- £490 payable in local currency, plus the immigration health surcharge. Priority and super-priority visa services are available at an extra cost. Check your local application centre website for details.
Inside the UK Standard application
- £490 application fee, plus the immigration health surcharge. You may be able to pay to get a faster decision. You’ll be told if you can when you apply.
Please note the fee is charged per person included in the application. If you have dependants, multiply the fee by the number of people included.
You may be charged for the biometric appointment for your application if you're asked to book it in the UK. This depends on the timings and locations. Please check the UKVCAS website for further information.
Immigration health surcharge
The Immigration Health Surcharge is a fee for using the National Health Service (NHS). It is payable in addition to your Student visa application fee.
You'll be directed to the payment page before you pay your visa application fee.
Once you've made the payment, a reference number will be generated. This will appear on your visa application cover sheet. This is different to your NHS number, which you can get when you register with a doctor when you arrive in the UK.
The fee is calculated according to the length of visa you are applying for. This includes the extra time at the end of your course. The fee is £776 per person per year, plus £388 per part year. Please note this is a reduced fee for students (the full fee for work visas for example is £1035 per year)
You can use the immigration surcharge tool on the Home Office website to check how much you will have to pay.
You are exempt from the Immigration Health Surcharge if you are:
- applying to come to the UK (entry clearance application) for six months or less.
Dependants
Applying from outside the UK
If you have family members and you want them to join you in the UK while you study, you must check they are eligible to do so.
Your dependants are:
- your spouse or partner
- your children under the age of 18.
See the UKCISA guidance to find out if you are able to bring family members with you to the UK. Please note that for students starting a course on or after 1 January 2024, you can only bring dependants if you are studying a PhD, other doctoral qualification, or a research-based higher degree.
Each eligible family member will need to apply for an Entry Clearance visa to come to the UK. The UKVI website has guidance about:
- supporting documents
- the maintenance requirement for family members
- information about how to apply from overseas.
Applying from inside the UK
Your family member — spouse, partner or child — must be entitled to remain the UK as your dependant. Check this carefully before you submit your application.
Be aware that the rules may have changed since you made your last application. The UKCISA website provides useful information on dependants' eligibility and application criteria.
If you need advice about the requirements for dependants, please contact us.
Differential evidence requirement
If you are a national of a country listed under the "differential evidence requirement":
- you don't have to give evidence of your qualifications or finances when you apply
- you must still ensure you meet all the requirements, including the financial requirement when making your application
- you may be requested to submit evidence at a later stage.