Postgraduate offer holders
 

Translations

If any of your documents is not in English, the original must be accompanied by a fully certified translation by a professional translator. The translation must include:

  • confirmation that it is an accurate translation of the original document
  • the translator/translation company’s contact details
  • date of the translation
  • original signature and full name of the translator (or an authorised official of the translation company).

If you are applying in the UK, the translation must also have the details of the translator or translation company’s credentials.

Tier 4 documents

You will need to provide the following documents with your visa application:

  • Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) number
  • evidence of finances
  • proof of progress/qualifications as stated on your CAS (original certificates)
  • proof of English language proficiency as stated on your CAS (original certificates)
  • Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) certificate (if applicable)
  • passport (current and previous)
  • visa application fee
  • photo
  • translations of any documents not in English
  • application form (or printout of the online application form)
  • completed Appendix 8.

You must include originals of all documents. You should also provide a copy of each document.

TB test

Visa applicants in some countries are required to take a TB test before applying for their visa. You will be informed if this is necessary during the application process.

Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS)

We will contact you automatically once you have accepted your unconditional offer.

This will not be more than four months before the start of your course.

What is the CAS?

CAS is a unique personal number generated by the UKBA that you need for your Tier 4 visa application and it confirms that the University is prepared to sponsor you. It will help you obtain a visa ONLY for the University who issues you the CAS and the number will be included on your CAS statement. The CAS statement will be sent to you electronically via Application Tracker – it is not an original document. It is important that you read the conditions that are written on the CAS statement.

What is the CAS application process?

  1. The Admissions Team will ask you to upload a scan of your qualification documents upon which your offer is conditional, including both academic and English language qualifications.
  2. Your offer will become "unconditional firm" when you have met the conditions of your offer and accepted your place at the University.
  3. If you need an ATAS certificate, you will be contacted to ask you to do this, BEFORE we issue you with a CAS statement.
  4. Before issuing you with a CAS statement, the Admissions Team will send you a pre-CAS email asking you to check all your personal details, provide details of your immigration history /previous study in the UK and provide a scan of your passport.
  5. We will send you a funding questionnaire which is designed to help you assess whether you have the correct funding and correct evidence of funding.
  6. If you provide us with the correct information and we are satisfied that you meet UKBA and the University of Bath requirements, we will issue you with a CAS via application tracker and email.
  7. If we do not think that you will be able to make a successful visa application, or do not meet the University of Bath requirements it is within our rights to NOT issue you with a CAS.

Evidence of finances

You must be able to prove that you have enough money to pay your tuition fees and living costs during your studies. You can check if your bank statements will meet UKBA requirements by following our bank statement requirement flowchart.

  • Proof must be in the form of original bank statements or a bank letter covering 28 days. These must be on official bank paper with the bank logo, and letters must be stamped.
  • Statements should begin no more than one month before the date of your application.
  • You may use your bank statements or those of your parents/legal guardians.
  • You will need to include your birth certificate and a letter from your parents confirming that they have given consent for you to use their funds to study in the UK.
  • If you are using your parents' or legal guardians' bank statements, you must also provide a birth certificate to prove your relationship with them. You will also need an original signed and dated letter from them giving consent for you to use the money for your study in the UK.
  • You can use overseas statements, but if they are not in English, you must also send a fully certified translation by a professional translator. This must include the translator's qualifications, confirmation from the translator that it is an accurate translation of the original document, the date, and the translator's signature.
  • If you are using overseas currency, you must write on the document the closing balance in pounds sterling. Use the official exchange rate on the OANDA website.

Lists of overseas financial institutions which are not accepted by UKBA.

If you have paid any tuition fees or university accommodation fees/deposit you may be able to reduce the amount of money you need to show in your account:

  • If you have your tuition fees receipt, you can reduce that amount from the total amount needed in your bank account. You can obtain the receipt from Student Finance
  • If you have your accommodation fees receipt you can reduce a maximum of £1,000 from the total amount needed in your bank account. You can obtain the receipt from Accommodation Services.

If you are receiving official financial sponsorship or government sponsorship

You will need a letter from the sponsor confirming the length and amount of the sponsorship. If your sponsorship covers all your fees and living costs you only need this letter.

If your sponsorship covers only part of your fees and living costs you will need to provide a bank statement or letter confirming that you have the remaining money. The letter must be stamped.

If you are extending your time in the UK or have received sponsorship within the last 12 months, you will also need confirmation from your sponsor that they consent to you re-entering the UK to continue your studies.

How much do you need?

Programmes of 9 months or more £7,200 plus course fees for the first year
Programmes of 9 months or less £800 for each month of the course plus the course fees
For each dependant £450 per month, up to 9 months
Course fees The exact amount will be shown on your CAS

If you have been studying in the UK

If you have a current Tier 4 visa and have finished a course that lasted six months, or you are currently studying in the UK on a course where you have studied for at least six months or more. or then you will need £1,600 plus course fees for the first year. If you have overstayed your visa you will need to show £7,200 - please check with an adviser.

These amounts must be held in your personal bank account (or a parent's account) for a minimum period of 28 consecutive days unless you are being sponsored by an official financial sponsor or government. The end of that 28-day period must not be more than one month before the date of your application, for which you must show bank statements/other evidence.

Check your bank statements meet UKBA requirements.

If you have paid any tuition fees or accommodation fees/deposit

You will need to submit your receipts with your application as proof of payment, as this will not be mentioned on the CAS. If you have a receipt, you can reduce that amount from the total amount needed in your bank account.

You can obtain receipts from Student Finance and from Accommodation Services.

Proof of qualifications/progress

If you are a new student you will need proof of your qualifications as stated in your CAS statement - including your English language proficiency if this is stated on your CAS statement.

Please provide original certificates and/or transcripts.

Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) certificate

If you need an Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) certificate you will be informed by our admissions team. We will ask you to send us your ATAS certificate before we issue your CAS. You should apply early - there are often delays in processing ATAS applications.

 

Some nationalities do not need to provide all these supporting documents with their application as they are considered to be 'low-risk'. However, you must have these documents available on the date of your application as the UK Border Agency (UKBA) may ask to see them.

If the UKBA asks you to submit any documents, your application will be refused if you are unable to provide them.

We advise you to carry your documents in your hand luggage when arriving in the UK.

Useful links

 
 
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