Information on this webpage is correct at time of publishing. We will endeavour to update this page swiftly if any UKVI requirements change, but you can visit the UKVI website for the most up-to-date information.
Visa information for pre-sessional students
These webpages are designed to guide pre-sessional students on the visa requirements and timelines. For general information on the pre-sessional courses offered in 2025 please refer to the pre-sessional course information webpages.
Both the 6-week and the 10-week programme can be taken online or on campus, and the visa process will depend on your chosen mode of study. The expectation is that you will only have a UK visa if you study on campus. If you are studying the course online, you will need to prepare for the visa application for your undergraduate or postgraduate programme in advance: please visit the section called "Visa application after the pre-sessional course".
If you decide to take the course in person, you will need to apply for and obtain a Student visa before coming to the UK. Please visit the relevant course section from the menu below. It is important to allow sufficient time for this as you will need to be in the UK by the time the course starts.
Some students will be eligible for a combined CAS for both the pre-sessional and their undergraduate or postgraduate course. This will depend on whether or not you have met the academic conditions of your offer by the time the CAS is issued and also on the progress you need to make to meet the English language condition. If you are eligible a combined CAS will be issued by default, but you can request a single CAS if you prefer this option. For further information please visit the "Combined CAS" section of the website.
We do not advise using the Standard Visitor permission for studying the Pre-sessional course. This is because you will not be able to able to apply for a Student visa for the substantive course from inside the UK in September. The time period between completion of Pre-sessional course and the start of the new course will not usually be sufficient to obtain a Student visa from overseas. If you understand the risks of studying the Pre-sessional course on Visitor permission and are happy to proceed with this option, it will be permitted for registration as long as your Visitor visa covers the course.
Although Student visas granted for longer than 6 months will now require an eVisa, visas issued for the Pre-sessional course only are still granted as vignettes (stickers) in passport. If your Student visa was issued for the Pre-sessional course only, you will not need to set up an eVisa for it. If your visa was issued using a combined CAS, you will need to set up an eVisa to travel.
If you are already in the UK, please contact Student Visa Advisers for guidance on your specific situation.
- 6-week pre-sessional courseInformation about obtaining a visa for your 6-week pre-sessional course
- 10-week pre-sessional courseInformation about obtaining a visa for your 10-week pre-sessional course
- Combined CASInformation on combined CAS for students who have met all their academic offer conditions. Find out about advantages and possible issues associated with having a combined visa that covers both the pre-sessional and your undergraduate or postgraduate course.
- Visa application after the pre-sessional courseInformation on applying for a visa for your undergraduate or postgraduate course after completing the pre-sessional course (for students without a combined CAS)