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Visa advice: Changes to your studies

The consequences of changing your studies can have an impact on your immigration status and future in the UK. Please seek advice from the International Student Advice Team if you are considering changing your studies.

The following information is for Tier 4 visa holders unless otherwise stated.

Will the University of Bath tell the Home Office if I change my study plans, or if I don't attend my course?

If you used a Certificate of Acceptance for Study (CAS) to apply for your current Tier 4 visa, the University are legally obliged to inform the Home Office in certain circumstances, such as if you:

Please let the International Student Advice Service know if you are thinking about changing your plans. We will be able to confidentially advise you of your options.

Changing your place of study (education provider) with time left on your visa to complete the course

If you have a Tier 4 visa that was granted on or after 5th October 2009, you must apply for a visa for your new education provider.

If you have a Tier 4 visa that was granted between 31 March 2009 and 4 October 2009 inclusive you must get permission from the Home Office to change your education provider. You will need to complete and send the Permission to Switch (PTS) application form.

If you are in the UK, you should use our Check and Send Service. You will be allowed to start the course once you have sent your visa / PTS application (you do not need to have received the new visa / permission) but of course there is a risk to both yourself and the institution should you not be granted your visa / permission to switch. If you do not use the Check and Send Service, we will need to see the confirmation of receipt letter from the Home Office to prove that your application has been sent.

How do I get permission?

You must send an email to:

migrantreporting@ukba.gsi.gov.uk

The email must include:

If your new course meets the student immigration requirements, you will then receive a letter of permission saying you are allowed to use your existing permission to stay to study with the new approved education provider. You must show this to your new education provider.

Doing a different course of study at the University of Bath

If your new course is shorter than the course you got your visa for, you must email the Home Office. You will need to state the start and end dates of your new course.

If the course is the same length as the course you got your visa for, you do not need to do anything. The University of Bath will tell the Home Office that you have changed course.

If your new course is longer, then you will need to extend your visa. Please note that if you are currently studying in a different immigraion category (not Tier 4), and you need to extend for only the placement part of your course, we may not be able to sponsor you under Tier 4. Please discuss with an adviser.

If your new course requires Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) clearance, you will need to apply for an ATAS certificate. Check if your new course will require ATAS clearance.

If your course ends early

If your course ends earlier than expected this will be reported to the Home Office and your permission to stay will be limited to 60 days. The Home Office will not limit your permission to stay if it will expire in less than 60 days anyway.

Having a break from your studies

As a Tier 4 visa holder, you are required to attend your course full-time and engage with your studies (submitting coursework, sitting exams...). The University is required by law to monitor your attendance on your course. If you need to have a break from your studies, it is very important to contact the International Student Advice Team as soon as possible to understand how it may impact your Tier 4 visa requirements.

What do I do if I need to absent from the University, for example because of a family emergency?

The University has an authorised absence policy. If you are studying on campus and need to be absent for more than 14 days and less than 60 days, a period of 'authorised absence' may be authorised at the discretion of your Department. You can apply using SAMIS online. Full details can be found in the Attendance monitoring and engagement policy, guidance for students.

What happens if I 'suspend' from my studies?

If you used a Certificate of Acceptance for Study (CAS) to apply for your current visa and you suspend from your course, the University are legally obliged to inform the Home Office.

Non Tier 4 student visa holders: you must meet the conditions of your visa, which includes studying on a full-time course. You are also required to leave the UK if you suspend from your studies.

Withdrawing from your course

If you used a Certificate of Acceptance for Study (CAS) to apply for your current visa and you withdraw from your course, the University are legally obliged to inform the Home Office. You will need to leave the UK within 60 days. Please inform the International Student Advice Team of the date you plan to leave the UK.

Non Tier 4 student visa holders: you must meet the conditions of your visa, which includes studying on a full-time course. You are also required to leave the UK, but this may depend on whether you continue studying at a different institution, or change immigration category.

Changes in personal details (contact details...)

You must inform the Home Office if your personal details changes using a Change in Circumstances form.

If you have a Biometric Residence Permit (card): do not use the above form if any personal details that appear on the card change (name, nationality...). Instead, you must apply for a new card within 3 months.

The University must also have your up-to-date contact details - please let us know using registration online.

Academic progression

If you plan to continue studying at the University of Bath after you complete your current course, the University must confirm on your CAS that the new course represents academic progression. You may be asked by our admissions team to justify how your new course represents academic progression before they can issue your CAS.

Time limits for degree level study

The Home Office have set time limits for study at degree level for students with Tier 4 AND pre Tier 4 student visas. You could be affected by these if, for example, you have repeated a year, had to retake exams or if you have stopped studying a course and started a new course. Please see an adviser if you would like to check you are within your time limit.

Time limits do not apply to PhD students.

Further information on time limits.

 

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