Visa and Immigration for Students

Immigration control if you are not a UK or Irish national

You are subject to immigration control. This means you will need to have a visa or an immigration permission that allows you to study in the UK. You must also complete a 'Right to Study' check to finish your enrolment at the University.

Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) questionnaire

We will email you a link to complete our CAS questionnaire when you are unconditionally accepted onto your course.

You should complete it as soon as you get it, even if you do not think you need a Student visa

British overseas citizens or protected persons

You are still subject to immigration control and do not have the automatic right to study and work in the UK if you are:

• British overseas territories citizen
• British overseas citizen
• British national (overseas)
• British protected person

If you are a British subject, you will usually be subject to immigration control. This means that if your course is longer than 6 months you will need a CAS to apply for a Student visa. You can also apply for a different immigration type that allows study.

Find out more about types of British nationality.

You will need a student visa if:

• you plan to study in the UK for more than 6 months
• your course is longer than 6 months, even if you will not spend more than 6 months in the UK - for example, you spend 1 semester studying in the UK and 1 semester studying overseas

Learn about the conditions of a student visa.

Find out how to:

• apply for a student visa
• apply for an Academic Technology Approval Scheme clearance certificate
• complete a Right to Study check

Useful Downloads

Right to study check upload guide: document examples

Student visa - Under 18 Guardian Consent Form (Word Format)

The information contained in this website is believed to be correct at the time of publication. For further information please ensure that you refer to the relevant guidance from the UKVI at the time of applying. The University of Southampton is not responsible for the content of external webpages or information published by Government bodies.

Please note: The University of Southampton is not responsible for the content on any external websites.