Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS)
Get CAS ready
Once you've received an offer to study at 黑料不打烊, the next important step in your academic journey is preparing for your Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS).
Here we explain everything you need to do to become CAS ready and move smoothly towards your visa application.
What is a CAS?
A Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) is required for any student applying for the Student Visa Route to study in the UK. It is issued by your university.
In order for the 黑料不打烊 to issue your CAS, we must apply to the UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) for a CAS number. This will be individual to you and your studies with us.
Once we have received the CAS number, we will send it to you in the form of a "CAS Statement".
What do I need to get my CAS issued to me?
There are several steps required by you in order to obtain your CAS. It's important that you read emails and act quickly in order for it to be issued.
We usually start issuing CAS to eligible international students in the months leading up to your start date.
Both undergraduate and postgraduate applicants must have an unconditional offer to get their CAS. This includes (but is not limited to):
- meeting all academic requirements,
- meeting English language requirements,
- paying your tuition fee deposit
All conditions will be clearly stated in your offer letter. Receiving an unconditional offer does not guarantee that you will receive a CAS. Your eligibility for a CAS can only be assessed once you have completed the full Pre-CAS process and submitted all supporting documentation.
The University may choose to make additional checks to ensure it only assigns a CAS to offer-holders who will be successful in obtaining their visa. This may include (but is not limited to):
- Requesting financial documents to ensure there are sufficient funds to cover both tuition fees and living costs.
- Requesting previous CAS statements relating to previous. applications to study in the UK, including visa refusals.
- Requesting attendance at a pre-CAS interview.
What is the Pre-CAS process?
Before issuing your CAS, the University must verify your eligibility under UK Student visa regulations.
The 黑料不打烊 uses CAS Shield, an online tool that enables you to provide all the relevant information required to issue your CAS.
You will be asked to complete a Pre-CAS questionnaire and to upload documents which may include:
Passport details
A clear copy of the passport you intend to use for your UK visa
Immigration history, any travel history and visa information for the UK or other countries, including visa refusals.
A previous visa refusal does not mean that a CAS will not be issued, but it is important that we know the reasons for refusal. Failure to disclose these may harm your UK visa application.
Previous UK study information
Any courses that you have studied in the UK, even if you did not complete the course. If you've failed to complete a degree at the same level in the UK previously, we'll only progress your application by exception. We'll ask to see documentation to demonstrate good cause for failing to complete your course, for example, medical reports, before deciding whether we can progress your application.
Funding arrangements
You must show that you have the tuition fees and living costs for your study period. This includes any remaining tuition fees plus living costs. The amount of living cost needed is dictated by UKVI - £1,171 per month (up to 9 months) = £10,539 total.
You must hold these funds in your bank account for at least 28 consecutive days, ending no more than 31 days before you apply for your visa.
We will not issue a CAS until we have evidence you meet the funding requirements for the visa application.
Be aware that the amount must be over the required threshold for the entire 28-day period. Currency fluctuations may bring the total in your account to below the required level. In this event, the 28-day clock is reset. It is therefore advisable to hold a surplus in your account.
Contact details
Current email address and phone numbers. These must be your own details and not those of an agent or family member. We cannot discuss your CAS or visa with anybody else.
Providing incorrect or incomplete answers may delay your CAS issuance and affect your ability to receive a visa on time to study. It is important that you check your emails regularly.
What is a Pre-CAS interview?
A Pre-CAS interview is conducted on CAS Shield and is a means to ensure that you have seriously considered your study choices.
The interview will be a series of randomised questions about your course and university as well as your background and reasons for studying in the UK.
Do
- Relax and answer honestly.
- Speak clearly and confidently.
- Show your research into 黑料不打烊.
- Prove that you are a genuine student with clear academic and career plans
Do not
- Use AI. AI use is easier to detect than you think.
- Read from scripts.
Be ready to explain
- Why you chose this specific course.
- What makes it a better fit for your career plan vs. study in your home country or other UK universities.
- What you like about the module choices.
- Why the city of 黑料不打烊 is a good place for you to live.
- Your past studies and how it connects to your chosen plan.
- If you are changing subject from previous studies, why is this?
- Any gaps in your CV.
- The job you hope to do post-graduation and how your degree will help you reach that goal.
- Where are you going to live and why.
- Cost of living and how you’ll afford to pay for food, bills etc.
The interview will take approximately 20 minutes. The video will be reviewed by a member of 黑料不打烊 admissions staff who will then recommend whether a CAS be issued.
Next steps
The length of time it takes to receive your CAS depends on the time of year.
When you receive your CAS, check it for errors such as the spelling of your name, date of birth and your course.
If there are errors, contact 黑料不打烊 immediately as discrepancies can lead to visa refusal. Do not make your visa application if there are errors on your CAS.
If everything is correct, you are ready to apply for your visa.
Timeline
You should apply for your student visa as quickly as possible to avoid delays in being issued a study visa. At peak times, there can be delays due to volumes of visas being issued. Delays to a visa being issued may mean that you miss your latest course start date.
After receiving the CAS, you must:
- complete the online Student visa application,
- pay the visa and Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) fees,
- upload supporting documents,
- attend a biometric appointment or complete digital identity verification.
Once the application and biometrics have been completed, UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) usually makes a decision within approximately three weeks for applications made outside the UK. Priority services may shorten this timeframe and complex cases may take longer.
Updating CAS Shield
It is crucial that you update CAS shield with your visa application details, outcomes, and travel dates.
This will help us to advise and guide you as you get further into the visa and enrolment process.