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Before you do anything:
Download our Student Visa Application Guide
and our:
Step 1
"Do I need a Visa?"
Whether or not you require a visa to come to the UK to undertake a course of study at Bader College will depend upon two important factors:
- Your country (or countries) of nationality as specified on your passport.
- How many terms you intend to study at Bader College.
If you are a dual national and hold a UK, or Irish passport, you must travel to the UK on this passport, as a British or Irish national you will not be able to obtain a visa on any other passport. Please note however that you should bring both passports to prevent any problems returning to your home country.
Step Two
"How long will you be studying with us?"
Study periods of 6 months or less:
(Typically all Upper Year Students intending to attend Bader College for a single Fall, Winter or Summer Term).
Non-visa nationals can apply for entry as a standard visitor on arrival in the UK as long as they arrive directly into the UK from outside of the UK/Republic of Ireland common travel area. You cannot apply for a Standard Visitor Visa on arrival if you enter via the Republic of Ireland, Isle of Man, Guernsey or Jersey. This is because there is no immigration control at the UK port of entry. If you want to enter the UK as a visitor through one of these countries, you should apply for a Standard Visitor Visa before you leave home.
Currently students on the following passports are considered non-visa nationals:
-
Canada -
USA -
UK -
EU, EEA and Swiss citizens -
Japan -
South Korea
All other nationalities should apply for a Standard Visitor Visa before travelling to the UK.
Study periods of more than 6 months:
(Typically all First Year students and any Upper Year students with permission to attend both Fall and Winter Terms at Bader College).
You will need a Student Visa. This is your only option if you intend to stay for a full year, regardless of your nationality.
- Students with a UK passport are the only exception to this rule.
Applying for a Student Visa is a straight forward process if you follow the visa instructions and guidance online. You can only apply for a Student Visa in your home country, or in a country where you have existing formal residency rights.
The earliest you can apply for a Student Visa is 6 months before the start date of the course. Once you have been issued with your Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) letter, you can start the application process and should do so as soon as you can.
NB: Remember to apply for a Student Visa not a short-term study Visa!
The application process will ask for personal details as well as information about your course dates, and perhaps the results of your English Language Test. Take your time, read the website's guidance on their website and ours carefully, and you should have all the information you need.
A quick note regarding Schengen Visas:
If you intend to travel elsewhere in Europe while you are a student at Bader College, then you should check to see if you require a Schengen Visa.
Please refer to the link button at the bottom of this page for information on Schengen Visas.
Step Three
"What do I need at Border Control?"
All incoming students must provide a valid passport which should be valid for the whole of your stay in the UK. You may also be asked to prove that:
- You have been accepted on to a course by an accredited institution, for example a letter of acceptance on official headed paper stating the course name, duration and cost.
- Your research or training is relevant to the course you’re studying overseas, for example a letter from your home education institution describing how it is relevant.
- You are able to support yourself and your dependents during your trip (or have funding from someone else to support you).
- You are able to pay for your return or onward journey (or have funding from someone else).
- You have arranged accommodation for your stay.
- You will leave the UK at the end of your visit.
Bring your Letter of Attendance (LoA) from Queen's University and your Confirmation of Acceptance to Study letter (CAS) from Bader College. These documents demonstrate how you will pay for your studies and living costs. You should also bring evidence that you intend to return to your home country, such as a return air ticket, or a letter from your home University stating that you are required to return.
The Immigration Officer will stamp your passport and write the letters “S.T.V” (or similar) next to the entry stamp. You need to provide original documents, not copies and you will need to provide a certified translation of any documents that aren’t in English or Welsh.
If you're staying longer than 6 months you must have confirmation of your Student Visa and also provide a current passport or other valid travel documentation.
Occasionally you may also need to provide:
- Proof you have enough money to support yourself and pay for your course - this will vary depending on your circumstances.
- A valid ATAS certificate if your course and nationality require it.
- Proof of parental or other legal guardian consent if you’re under 18.
- Proof of your relationship to your parent or guardian if you’re under 18.
- Your Tuberculosis (TB) test results if you are from a country where you have to take the test.
- Written consent for your application from your financial sponsor if you’ve received sponsorship for your course fees and living costs in the last 12 months.
Bring original documents, not copies!
Bader College will issue you a Confirmation of Acceptance to Study letter (CAS) prior to your departure to the UK. You may have to submit further evidence depending on your application - the UK Council for International Student Affairs provides further information.
Your course dates are on your CAS letter. You cannot arrive in the UK more than one month before your course start date, but you may remain in the UK for up to two months after the end of the course.
The CoA will also include details of your residential address (Bader Hall) while in the UK.
Step Four
"Do I need Evidence of English Language?"
If you need a Student Visa and you are a not national of a majority English-speaking country, UK Visas & Immigration (UKVI) will require evidence of your English language level.
The UKVI determines who must demonstrate knowledge of English for immigration reasons based on nationality and not residency. Students on passports from countries including, but not limited to:
-
China -
EU, EEA and Swiss citizens
-
Japan
-
South Korea
must demonstrate knowledge of English. This includes Canadian Permanent Residents from these countries.
Students who are required to demonstrate knowledge of English for UKVI must take the IELTS for UKVI (Academic) test, or the Pearson PTE Academic UKVI test as detailed below.
More about Knowledge of English
Choose the correct test!
An IELTS or Pearson test for UKVI certificate can be used to demonstrate English proficiency for admission purposes and for a Student Visa application.
However, a regular IELTS or Pearson test certificate (which does not state UKVI) can be used for admission purposes only. It is not acceptable for a Student Visa application.
Don't delay! Whichever test you take, the UKVI requires that Bader College checks you have met the standard before assigning a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) for your Student Visa application.
IELTS for UKVI (Academic)
The IELTS for UKVI (Academic) test can be taken worldwide. You must complete the IELTS for UKVI (Academic) test at an approved test centre. Acceptable forms of identification to take to your IELTS for UKVI (Academic) test are found in the IELTS information booklet on the last page of this downloadable booklet. (PDF, 693KB)
The IELTS for UKVI will test you in English in four skills:
- Listening
- Reading
- Writing
- Speaking
You must upload your unique Test Report Form Number and a pdf/jpg copy of your IELTS for UKVI Certificate to the Student Erez online portal so that we can verify your score. You must achieve a score of 5.5 in each skill and a 5.5 overall band score (CEFR Level B2).
How to book your IELTS for UKVI (PDF, 277KB)
Pearson PTE Academic UKVI
The Pearson PTE Academic UKVI test is computer-based and computer-scored and can be taken in several countries, including China. It must be taken at an approved test centre. Acceptable forms of identification to take to your Pearson PTE Academic UKVI test can be found in this online Test Taker Handbook on page 10.
The Pearson PTE Academic UKVI will test you in English in four skills:
- Listening
- Reading
- Writing
- Speaking
You must upload your unique Score Report Code and a pdf/jpg copy of your Pearson PTE Academic UKVI Certificate to the Student Erez online portal so that we can verify your score. You must achieve a score of 59 (CEFR Level B2).
How to book your Pearson PTE Test (PDF, 228KB)
Healthcare Fee
Students applying for a student visa of more than 6 months in duration will also be required to pay the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) to access the National Health Service (NHS).
This surcharge is compulsory to anyone entering the UK to study on a student visa. Paying the IHS means that you will be entitled to use the National Health Service in the UK. However, please note that you will still need to pay for prescriptions, dental treatment and eye tests. When you access healthcare in the UK, you may need to provide your BRP.
The surcharge for a student visa for the entire duration of your stay will be a fee equivalent to £470 in local currently and is payable in advance as part of your visa application. Please note, your visa will not be granted if you have not paid the fee or if you have paid the incorrect amount.
Attendance
Attendance is regularly monitored by Bader College academic departments. This is to ensure you are engaging with your studies; to identify problems as early as possible so that action can be taken to advise and/or assist; and to meet the requirements set by UK Visas and Immigration for those with student visas.
As a student visa holder your visa status is dependent on your continued attendance on your programme. UKVI rules state that Bader College must report a student who stops academically engaging; or has missed 10 consecutive academic contacts.