Before you apply

You should: 

• apply before your current visa expires
• have supporting documents ready beforehand
• apply online using the UK Immigration: ID Check app (if eligible) or attend an in-person appointment at a service point
• regularly check your emails (including spam) for updates from UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI)
• contact the International Student Support Team with any questions before paying the visa application fee

Fees and costs

Student visa standard application: 490GBP (applies to dependants as well), 524GBP for applications made on 9 April 2025 or later

For faster decisions:

• Priority Service (5 working days): 500GBP (added to standard fee)
• Super Priority Service (next working day): 1000GBP (added to standard fee)
• Super Priority Service not available with the ID Check App

Immigration Health Surcharge - This is calculated on your overall Student visa length, not course dates. Use the Immigration Health Surcharge calculator with your CAS to calculate the cost.

About CAS

You'll need a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) before applying for your Student visa.

This electronic document contains a unique CAS number required for your visa application.

New students:

• Admissions will email your CAS for new courses at the University of Strathclyde

Continuing students:

• apply for a CAS using the appropriate form:
  • Non-PhD Courses: CAS Request Form for Non-PhD courses
  • PhD Courses: CAS Request Form for PhD courses
• carefully review the form and ensure all required documents are included

After receiving your CAS, verify all details and information in your CAS before you apply for your Student visa.

Step-by-step guide

This guide outlines the general steps involved in applying for a Student visa inside the UK for non-EU/EEA/Swiss nationals or if you can't use the UK Immigration: ID Check app. 

Although the processes differ, questions on the form for applicants who used the app will be similar.

For guidance on how to answer questions on the visa application form, see Step 3.

EU/EEA/Swiss nationals will not need to attend an in-person appointment, unless you cannot use the UK Immigration: ID Check app.

Step 1 - Eligibility and requirements

• familiarise yourself with the Student visa eligibility requirements
• if required, apply for and obtain an Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) certificate
• receive your Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) and check the accuracy of the details before continuing

Step 2 - Prepare documents

• gather the necessary supporting documents for your visa application
• if required, prepare funds and financial documents demonstrating that you have sufficient funds to cover your living expenses and tuition fees

Step 3 - Start application

• begin your application process - you can consult our Student visa application form in the UK page for guidance completing the form
• for any application-related inquiries, contact the International Student Support team before submitting your application or making any payments

Step 4 - Submit your visa application

• carefully review and confirm all answers within your application
• pay the required fees, including the Student visa application fee, Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) and any additional charges for priority services (if applicable)

Step 5 - Book appointment at UK Visa and Citizenship Application Services (UKVCAS) and upload supporting documents

• register with UKVCAS to schedule an appointment - UKVCAS service point locations
• upload your supporting documents directly on the UKVCAS website or have them scanned at your appointment for an additional fee

Step 6 - Attend your appointment

• bring your appointment confirmation document with QR code, your passport and other supporting documents (unless you already uploaded them online)
• your application will not be decided at your appointment

Important note

It is your responsibility to ensure you have all the required supporting documents available at the time of application. You must submit all documents requested by UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) for your application to be assessed. UKVI caseworkers will assess your visa application based on the documents you have provided.

What to expect after you apply

After submitting your visa application, allow up to eight weeks for a decision, unless you paid for a faster decision. UKVI will contact you by email, so check your inbox and spam/junk email folders regularly.

Waiting for a decision in the UK?

As long as you applied before your current visa expires, you can stay in the UK until a decision is made. However, travelling outside the UK before you receive a decision will withdraw your visa application.

Receiving your visa decision

UKVI will email you when a decision is made. The email will tell you if you received either:

• an electronic visa status with instructions how to access your share code or
• a Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) card sent by courier - note from 1 November 2024, applicants will no longer receive a BRP

Check your new visa 

When you receive your visa, verify that all details are correct, especially your name, the visa conditions and the visa expiry date covers through the end of your studies.

If there is an error, contact the International Student Support Team for advice.

Address updates

If your term-time address changed, be sure to update your address with UKVI and on Pegasus.