New students will obtain their CAS from the International CAS Team (Admissions), as part of the admission process. They will contact you regarding your CAS once you have accepted an unconditional offer with GCU and paid your initial deposit. If you are outside of the UK, your CAS will be sent to you via email. If you are currently in the UK please contact the VISA Team to process your application:
Your CAS data check will be sent to you by email and you must respond in writing confirming the details and answering any additional questions.
Please review the information below while you await your CAS.
If you have already paid your deposit you can get in touch with CAS@gcu.ac.uk if you have queries about the processing of your CAS.
International students aged 16 or over who will be studying a course longer than six months usually require a Student Visa.
You will not require a Student Visa if:
- You have a visa or immigration permission for the UK in another category which has no restriction on study and your permission will be valid for the length of your programme.
- You are a Swiss national or a national of any country in the European Economic Area (EEA). Please note that as of 1 January 2021, EEA nationals applying from outside the UK to come to study a course of more than six months should apply for a Student Visa under the Student Route. For this reason, we recommend any EEA students visit our EU Students Page for information on the EU Settlement Scheme. You must have started living in the UK by 31 December 2020 to be eligible to apply for the EU Settlement Scheme.
Please note that it is your responsibility to ensure you obtain the correct visa type for your studies.
You can check if you need a visa to study in the UK on the UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) website.
If your programme will be less than six months long, you may be eligible for a Standard Visit Visa. This replaced the Short-Term Study Visa from 1 December 2020. Please visit our "Other visas" section to read more.
If you are unsure if you need a visa or which type of visa you need to study in the UK, please get in touch.
You can apply for your visa up to six months before the start date of your programme of study in the UK. You should allow plenty of time for your visa application to be processed. You can find information about visa processing times on the UKVI website.
Please view our dedicated page on Student Visa applications outside UK.
Apply outside the UK
As part of your application, you’ll need to prove your identity. How you do this depends on where you’re from and what type of passport you have.
You’ll either:
- Give your fingerprints and a photograph (biometric information) at a visa application centre
- Use the ‘UK Immigration: ID Check’ app to scan your identity document - you’ll also create or sign into your UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) account.
You’ll be told what you need to do when you apply.
Once you’ve started your application, you can save your form and complete it later.
You must apply for your visa in your country of nationality or country of residence unless you are switching or extending in the UK. If your country of residence is different from your country of nationality, or if you are unsure if you are a resident in the country you are currently based, please contact the VISA Team for further assistance on which country you can apply from.
If there is not a Visa Application Centre which offers the visa type you require in your country of residence or nationality, you will be asked during the online application to confirm you can attend an appointment at a Visa Application Centre in an alternative location.
Please note that any Student Visa extension in the UK must be submitted through the VISA Team. Please let us know as soon as possible if you feel you may require an extension.
Switching to the Student Visa
If you are in the UK and wish to switch to a Student Visa to undertake studies at GCU, please contact the VISA Team for support.
Extending your Student Visa
If you already have a GCU-sponsored Student Visa and wish to extend your visa to complete your course or for further study, please contact the VISA Team directly for support.
Please view our dedicated webpage on Student Visa applications and extensions in UK.
Documents you'll need to apply
When you apply for your Student Visa you must provide:
- A current passport or other valid travel documentation
- Your Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS)
- Proof you have enough money to support yourself and pay for your course - this will vary depending on your circumstances
You may also need to provide:
- 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 test results
- 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
You may need to provide additional documents depending on your circumstances. Read the UKVI guidance for the full list of documents you’ll need to provide.
You need a blank page in your passport for your visa if you need to give your biometric information (fingerprints and a photograph) at a visa application centre. You’ll be told if you need to do this when you apply.
If you’re under 18
If you’re under 18 you’ll need written consent from both parents or legal guardians (or one parent if they have sole responsibility).
This must include their consent for:
- Your visa application
- Your living and care arrangements in the UK
- Your travel to the UK.
You’ll also need to provide a copy of your birth certificate (or another government-issued document) that shows the names of your parents.
For a personalised checklist of documents required for your visa application, please book a drop-in slot with VISA or send us an email to request a checklist - we will need some information from you before we can create your checklist.
