Visa Information
This page gives further information on:
Types of visa
Students have three main visa options, depending on the length of the course at CELE:
Student visa
For applicants who intend to study at undergraduate or postgraduate level at a UK university shortly after their CELE programme. Requires a UKVI approved IELTS test (also known as a Secure English Language Test or SELT).
More information
Short-term study visit visa (STSV)
For applicants who will study at CELE for 6-11 months and would eventually like to study at undergraduate or postgraduate level at a UK university, but who do not currently have a UKVI approved IELTS score.
More information
Standard visitor visa
For applicants who will
study at CELE for 6 months
or less and would eventually like to study at undergraduate or postgraduate level at a
UK university, but who do
not currently have a UKVI approved IELTS score.
More information
Family members accompanying the main student visa holder (for example spouses and/or children under 18) would need to apply for a dependants' visa, more information can be found on the UK Government website.
Courses and visa/s available
Look at this chart to find out which visa types may be available to you (by course length and/or start date)
| Course length | Starting in | Student visa
Single CAS | Student visa
Joint CAS* | Short-term study visa | Standard visitor visa |
|---|
| 30 weeks |
October
Term 1 |
✔ |
Not available |
✔ |
Not available |
| 30 weeks |
January
Term 2 |
✔ |
Not available |
Not normally appropriate** |
Not available |
| 20 weeks |
October
Term 1 |
✔ |
Not available |
✔ |
Not available |
| 20 weeks |
January
Term 2 |
✔ |
Not available |
Not normally appropriate** |
Not available |
| 20 weeks |
April
Term 3 |
✔ |
Not available |
Not normally appropriate** |
Not available |
| 10 weeks |
October
Term 1 |
✔ |
Not available |
Not available |
✔ |
| 10 weeks |
January
Term 2 |
✔ |
Not available |
Not available |
✔ |
| 10 weeks |
April
Term 3 |
✔ |
Not available |
Not available |
✔ |
| 10 weeks |
July
Term 4 |
✔ |
✔ |
Not available |
Not normally appropriate** |
| 6 weeks |
August
Term 4 |
✔ |
✔ |
Not available |
Not normally appropriate** |
*Joint or integrated CAS are not available for all presessional courses or for all students. You will be informed if you are eligible for a joint CAS (covering your presessional course and your degree course) after you apply. Please visit our joint CAS frequently asked questions for more information.
**It is not normally appropriate to enter the UK for a presessional English course under the short-term student or visitor visa routes where the degree course commences immediately after the CELE presessional course. This is because it is not possible to 'switch' from the visitor visa type in the UK. The student is required to travel outside the UK to obtain a full student visa, which takes time and affects the commencement of the academic programme.
You may find it helpful to download the University's guidance on applying for your student visa from overseas and sample visa application guidance.
Important differences between the visa types
There are a number of other questions you will need to consider before you apply:
How long does each visa last?
Student visa
Single CAS
from the start to the end of your CELE course.
Joint CAS
from the start of your CELE course to the end of your degree course.
Short-term study visa
Only applicable for courses between six months and 11 months maximum. You will need to return to your home country after this period/programme of study to reapply for another visa.
Visitor visa
Only applicable for course of six months and less. You will need to return to your home country after this period/ programme of study to reapply for another visa.
Dependant's visa
Depends on the conditions for the main student visa holder.
What type of IELTS test do I need to take?
Student visa
Single CAS
UKVI approved IELTS only
Joint CAS
IELTS required but does not need to be UKVI approved
Short-term study visa, visitor visa or dependants' visa
IELTS required to study at CELE but does not need to be UKVI approved
Can I bring my family with me?
Student visa
Single CAS
Yes, if you study on a 30-week course and you are government sponsored
No
If you study on a 20 or 10-week course
Joint CAS
Yes, if you are a postgraduate student or a sponsored undergraduate student
Short-term study visa or visitor visa
No
Dependants' visa
Depends on the conditions for the main student visa holder
Can I work while I am in the UK?
Student visa
Single CAS
Yes, up to a maximum of 10 hours per week
Joint CAS
Yes, up to a maximum of 20 hours per week
Short-term study visa or visitor visa
No
Dependants' visa
Depends on the conditions for the main student visa holder
Please note
- If you decide to defer the start date of your presessional for any reason, you need to contact us to see if the visa you have chosen is still valid.
- Neither a short-term study visa or a visitor visa can be extended or switched to a student visa from within the UK.
- If you previously studied with a private provider on a student visa, you will need to make your visa application in your home country.
- If you decide to extend the length of your course, you may also need to extend your visa. This could mean returning to your home country to apply for a new student visa.
- If you previously studied on a student visa at a higher education provider and there is a gap of more than 28 days between the end of your visa and the start of your next course, you will have to return to your home country to make a new visa application. Please check that any financial sponsor will agree to this.
Contact us if you need further help