Visa information

What you'll need

You can apply for your Student visa within three months of your intended course start date. You will need to contact your nearest British Embassy, Consulate or High Commission to find out how early you can submit your application, or check the UK visas website.

In order to be granted a Student visa you must pass a points-based assessment and score 40 points. The points are broken down like this:

• 30 points for Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) from the University of Sunderland in London, which includes a valid CAS reference number
• 10 points for showing that you have enough money to cover the cost of your course, and your monthly living expenses in the UK, for up to nine months

In addition to the points you need to obtain, you may also be interviewed as a part of your application.

 

The Home Office and your Student visa

The Home Office website has up to date information about applying for a Student visa. Read through all the information on the Home Office website very carefully before you apply.

We also recommend that you read the Home Office guide of the Points Based System - Policy Guidance. This will give you detailed information on all the supporting documents you need to supply with your application form.

Steps to getting your visa

If you receive a conditional offer from the University, you'll need to accept it before going further with the applications process. You will need to meet certain conditions in order to convert this to an unconditional offer. To obtain a Student visa, you need an unconditional offer.

When you receive the offer it will include details of all the conditions you need to meet in order to study at the University of Sunderland in London. Typically, conditions may be:

• Completion of your current course / copy of qualifications
• Payment of tuition fees / evidence of sponsorship
• Evidence of English Language ability
• Immigration history form

You will be asked to make your conditional offer a firm offer before continuing. This means that the University of Sunderland in London is definitely the university you intend to study with.

Once you've received your CAS number you can apply for the Student visa.

What you'll need

You can apply for your Student visa within three months of your intended course start date. You will need to contact your nearest British Embassy, Consulate or High Commission to find out how early you can submit your application, or check the UK visas website.

In order to be granted a Student visa you must pass a points-based assessment and score 40 points. The points are broken down like this:

• 30 points for Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) from the University of Sunderland in London, which includes a valid CAS reference number
• 10 points for showing that you have enough money to cover the cost of your course, and your monthly living expenses in the UK, for up to nine months

In addition to the points you need to obtain, you may also be interviewed as a part of your application.

 

The Home Office and your Student visa

The Home Office website has up to date information about applying for a Student visa. Read through all the information on the Home Office website carefully before you apply.

We also recommend that you read the Home Office guide of the Points Based System - Policy Guidance. This will give you detailed information on all the supporting documents you need to supply with your application form.

We are here to support you as you apply for your Student visa. We strongly recommend that you read through the government's guidance on applying for the visa before you submit your documentation.

Contact your regional office for more information.

The online application form can only be submitted from the UK, with no ability to apply from outside the country.

You need to complete and submit the application form by your Tier 4 or Student Visa expiry date. Once you've done this, you shouldn't travel outside the UK until you get your application decision.

If you do leave the country, your application will be automatically withdrawn.

 

Fees

• The Home Office factsheet on the scheme states the application fee will be £880.
• On top of that fee, you'll need to pay the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) of £1035 per year of permission you're applying for.

Please note: your application doesn't need sponsorship from either the University or your employer.

You will need to meet the eligibility criteria, including information on qualifications, current immigration status and current studies in the UK to apply for a Graduate visa.

 

Qualifications

To be able to apply for a Graduate Route visa, you need to have completed a relevant course in the UK. Either:

• an undergraduate degree
• a Masters degree
• a PhD degree or other doctoral qualification,

or one of the qualifications listed in paragraph GR 5.2 of Appendix Graduate of the immigration rules, including:

• a law conversion course validated by the Joint Academic Stage Board in England and Wales
• the Legal Practice Course in England and Wales, the Solicitors Course in Northern Ireland, or a Diploma in Professional Legal Practice in Scotland
• the Bar Practice Course in England and Wales, or the Bar Course in Northern Ireland
• a foundation programme in Medicine or Dentistry
• a Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) or Postgraduate Diploma in Education (PGDE)
• a professional course requiring study at UK bachelor’s degree level or above in a profession with reserved activities that are regulated by UK law or UK public authority.

 

Current Visa Status

To be eligible for the Graduate Route visa, you're current student immigration status must be valid. That means you'll need to complete and send in your visa application before the expiry date on your Tier 4 or 'Student' Route BRP card.

Please note: In this case, 'Student' means someone with a Tier 4 or Student Route visa according to Paragraph 6.2 of the Immigration Rules.

You cannot switch to the Graduate visa from any other type of immigration permission.

 

Current Studies in the UK

You need to have studied in the UK for at least 12 months, whether or not your course is longer than that.

Working as a student

As a student, you can still work in the UK under the Tier 4/Student Route conditions but you might need to submit proof you can work once you graduate. If you need this, you should request an International Working Letter.

 

Working while your Graduate visa decision is pending

You can still work in the UK whilst you are waiting for a decision on your Graduate Route Visa as long as you are under your Tier 4/Student Route. You might need to submit documentation on your right to work after your studies, in which case you'll need to request an International Working Letter.

 

Sunderland Futures

We know the graduate jobs market is competitive, which is why we're here to help you stand out. As University of Sunderland in London Alumni, you'll have access to Sunderland Futures for up to three years after graduation. It offers you a wide range of different career services, including:

• Individual advice and guidance on your career options and choices
• 1-2-1 careers appointments
• Access to our online vacancy service advertising jobs and opportunities with regional, national and international employers
• CV and application support
• Unique and interactive coaching for interviews and assessment centres
• Opportunities to attend employer-led events, including our Graduate Recruitment Fair
• Access to free, online resources including practice aptitude tests, video interviews and GoinGlobal, a resource advertising job opportunities and internships across the world.

Restrictions

Under the Graduate visa, there are some restrictions to your ability to study. The types of study you can do include:

• Part-time undergraduate course
• English language courses
• Some professional courses
• Any study at a college or university that is not a Student Route Visa sponsor
• Online study
• Evening classes
• Recreational courses

You'll need to contact your course provider to make sure you are allowed to study the course under this visa.

Current Dependants

If you have dependents (i.e family members) in the UK with the Tier 4 or Student Route visa, you can apply to extend their stay as a Graduate Route dependent.

 

Applying for Dependants

If your dependents are outside the UK, they can't apply for the Graduate Route dependent visa.