Visa application after the pre-sessional course

Timing

If you are taking the pre-sessional course on-campus and have a visa covering just this course, you will be issued a CAS for the main programme once you have satisfied all the conditions of your offer. We expect that this will happen around 19 August 2026, and you should then be able to make that visa application from the UK. You will not need to wait until the visa is granted to start the new course.

If you are taking the course online from your home country, a CAS for the main programme will be issued a bit earlier to allow you to obtain a Student visa and arrive before the start of the academic course. We expect this will be done around 17 August 2026. We still recommend that you use Priority service to apply for this visa as Standard service applications tend to take longer in August and September. 

Once you have successfully completed the on-campus pre-sessional course, you will need to apply for a new visa to study your main course. Due to the time constraints it is best to apply for a new visa from inside the UK.

When applying in the UK you must apply for your next visa before your current one expires. Otherwise, you will become an overstayer with no legal right to remain in the UK or study your next programme. Read the information below to prepare for your visa application.

Financial requirements

Even if you are a national of a country included in the Differential Evidence Requirement, you must make sure that you meet the financial requirement before you apply for the visa. By the date of your application you need to have held the necessary funds in your or your parents' bank account for a minimum of 28 days. Visit this webpage as soon as possible to learn about the financial requirements and how much money you may need to be able demonstrate. If you have any questions, contact us to clarify.

Nationals of countries in the Differential Evidence Requirement, should not submit evidence of finances unless requested by the UKVI caseworker by email. 

If you have lived in the UK for the past 12 months without absences of longer than 3 months during this time, you will be exempt from meeting the financial requirement.*

Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS)

You cannot apply for your next visa without a new CAS number. Please see the 'Timing' section above for CAS issuance timelines. 

The application process 

Please refer to our webpage 'Apply for a Student visa inside the UK' for guidance on inside the UK applications if you are studying on campus. For advice on outside the UK applications please refer to our webpage 'Apply for a Student visa outside the UK'. The links to the application forms can be found on the same pages.

You may need to complete biometric enrolment as part of your application. Please follow the instructions on your UKVI application account. You may either be invited to book and attend a biometric appointment at one of the TLScontact Service Points after you submit the application or validate your details via the 'UK Immigration: ID Check’ app at home instead. If you are allowed to use the app, the application form will direct you towards it at the start of the process. If you are not allowed to use the app, a biometric appointment will need to be booked after you have submitted the application. 

Registration on undergraduate or postgraduate course

You will need to submit evidence of your current visa and passport along with the proof of your visa application for your main course as part of the Student Document Check. This will be necessary in order to register for your next course with us. 

*Accurate as of January 2026, but this can change.