Immigration advice for Study Abroad and International Exchange students

It is likely that you may require a visa to study in the UK. It is thus important that you read the following information carefully to ensure that you meet the requirements of the immigration rules for students.

There are two possible options:

For further advice:

• visit the UK Border Agency website;
• visit the UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA) website; or
• contact the British Embassy in your country.  

Student Visa applicants

If you are coming to study for more than six months you are required to come to the UK via the student route visa.

The immigration rules require you to prove that you can financially support yourself while studying in the UK; the required amount is £1,334 per month and an academic year is of 9 months.

Note: Kingston University is considered INNER LONDON

Your ability to pay the fees for the Study Abroad programme will be part of the financial support that you have to prove.

• International exchange students will pay tuition fees to their home institution.
• Students from Study Abroad partner institutions will usually have their Kingston University tuition fees paid for them by their home university.
• Independent students will pay tuition fees directly to Kingston University.

Either way, the authorities will want to know that you can pay/have paid the appropriate fees.

Visa process

Once you have been offered and have accepted your place on the Study Abroad or International Exchange programme you will receive confirmation of a CAS statement. This process can take up to a month due to the volume of applications. You can request this through the OSIS website. The CAS number will be confirmed in an email from the CAS and Visa Compliance Office.

Students applying for entry clearance from outside of the UK should apply no earlier than three months of the course start date (end of June). If you use your CAS earlier than this, your visa application may be refused.

Find out about applying for entry clearance via the Student Visa route.

Immigration Health Surcharge

In addition to the Student Visa application fee, you will have to pay the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) as part of your application. This entitles you to use the National Health Service (NHS) if you become unwell or have an accident while studying in the UK. Please refer to the National Health Services (NHS). The IHS amount is generally £470 per year but you can calculate how much IHS you would need to pay before you apply by using the immigration health surcharge tool.

Standard Visitor Visa applicants

If you will be studying for less than six months you need to choose whether to come to the UK either via a Standard Visitor Visa or a Student Visa. You must check whether you are considered a visa national or not as this will affect what is mandatory and what is optional for you. Standard Visitors students are not permitted to work (whether paid, unpaid or an internship) and cannot extend their stay in the UK. 

It is not required to show proof of paying your fees before arrival. However, we recommend that you carry proof of payment with you to present to immigration on arrival in the UK if you elect to come as a standard visitor.

• International exchange students will pay tuition fees to their home institution.
• Students from Study Abroad partner institutions will usually have their Kingston University tuition fees paid for them by their home university.
• Independent students will pay tuition fees directly to Kingston University.

Visa process

After you have been offered and have accepted your place on the Study Abroad programme you will receive a letter via email to bring with you to Customs upon your arrival confirming your place on the programme.  

Healthcare

Students studying in the UK for less than six months are not entitled to free NHS treatment and should take out private medical insurance.