Visa information for Applicants
Sponsor Licence Number: 0BT931EY6
This is Brunel's Sponsor License Number (it begins with a zero). Your Tier 4 visa must have been issued for Brunel (and for the course for which you obtained an offer with us) to be able to register. If you are applying for a Pathways course with our partners LIBT, Brunel will also act as the sponsor for your visa.
Do I need a visa to study at Brunel?
If you are an international student then you will probably need a visa to study at Brunel University. If you are not sure then you can use the 'Do I need a visa?' service on the UKBA website (external site) for more help. You should make sure that you apply for a visa that covers the full length of your course. If you need more help the Immigration Office at Brunel International can provide basic advice via email, but are not able to offer appointments or in-depth advice to applicants.
If you do need a visa you must have this before you can regsiter for your course when you arrive at Brunel - Read more about what visa documents you will need to provide.
What type of visa do I need?
For all Undergraduate, Postgraduate and most English Language and Foundation courses at Brunel you should apply for a Tier 4 Student (General) Visa which covers the whole duration of your course. The Points Based System was introduced by the government several years ago, and as a fairly new system, it is often subject to change. You should make sure to consult the most up to date advice listed on the UKBA Website (external site).
Immigration queries
If you have any further questions we are happy to answer by email. Please contact us at immigration@brunel.ac.uk
For information on our services for current students, please see our Services for Current Students web pages.
Making a Visa Application
Applying inside the UK
If you are applying from within the UK and currently have any one of these visas, then you should apply using the Tier 4 (G) application form (external site). Please see our guide on renewing your student visa for help with completing the form and how to make your application.
You can either apply by post or by courier (if posting we always recommend using Recorded Delivery or Special Delivery at the Post Office). You may prefer to make an in-person (called a Premium Appointment) at a UKBA Public Enquiry Office. This is the fastest way to apply but is a lot more expensive. Please be aware that during the busiest months of August and September, it may be very difficult to book a Premium Appointment. It is very important that you allow enough time to apply for your visa to enable you to register for your course in time.
If your visa expires more than 1 calendar month before the start date of any new course, you must return to your home country and apply from there.
Applying outside the UK
If you are applying from outside the UK, the UKBA website has a list of where and how to apply in your country, and the cost of application. When you apply you should also be sure to take the relevant documentation. If you need help with your visa application, British Council offices and the British High Commission can provide assistance. You cannot apply for your visa more than 3 months before the start of your course.
Your CAS
You need to achieve 40 Points Based system to receive a TIER 4 visa. 30 Points are awarded for having a valid Confirmation of Acceptance of Studies (CAS) number. The remaining 10 points are awarded for Maintenance.
Brunel can only send you a CAS number once your offer has been made unconditional. If you have a conditional offer you will need to fulfill all your conditions as soon as possible to ensure you have enough time to apply for your visa.
The first CAS we issue you with is free. However if you need us to issue you with a different CAS (for example if you decide to change course after a CAS has been issued) then there will be a administration fee. This covers the cost charged to us by the UKBA. A CAS number will expire if not used within 6 months, so we will not issue a CAS more than 6 months before the start of your course.
Brunel will issue your CAS in the form of an email, although we can provide a hard copy if needed. This CAS statement will list all the qualifications we used as the basis of your offer for the course. You must include the originals of all the qualifications listed in the CAS statement when you apply for your visa.
Your Maintenance Requirement
You need to achieve 40 points in the Points Based system to receive a TIER 4 visa. 10 points are awarded for Maintenance. The remaining 30 points are awarded for having a valid CAS number.
The maintenance requirement is evidence that you have enough money to cover your tuition fees, as well as an additional amount to cover your living costs. Brunel University is classed as being Outer London for visa purposes, so the level of funding you need to show is slightly lower than someone who is studying in Inner London. For courses that are less than 9 months long you must show that you have £600 per month for each month of your course. If your course includes part of a month, you must always include that month. For courses that are 9 months or over, you must show that you have £5,400. Please note that this is in addition to your tuition fees.
If you are bringing dependants (such as a husband, wife or child) you must show you have an additional £400 per month for each dependant.
IMPORTANT NEWS
UKBA intend to increase the Maintenance requirement for Tier 4 students and their dependants from 6th April 2012. This means that anyone applying for a Tier 4 visa, or as a dependant of a Tier 4 Migrant must show the new level of funds for the Maintenance requirement. This will be:
For courses that are less than 9 months long you must show that you have £800 per month for each month of your course. If your course includes part of a month, you must always include that month. For courses that are 9 months or over, you must show that you have £7,200. Please note that this is in addition to your tuition fees.
If you are bringing dependants (such as a husband, wife or child) you must show you have an additional £450 per month for each dependant.
For more information about the new Maintenance rules in place from 6th April 2012, please see the Home Office website (external link).
What is acceptable as proof of funds?
- Cash funds in a bank in your name, or jointly in your name (this can include savings accounts). The money must have been in your account for at least 28 days, and the proof you show (bank statements etc) must be no more than 1 month old, (extra condtions apply in the case of joint accounts - please see the Tier 4 Policy Guidance for details).
- A loan letter or other official document
- Money held by your parents/legal guardians (extra conditions apply in this case - please see the Tier 4 Policy Guidance for details)
- A letter from your Financial sponsor (see more information about what is classed as an Official Financial Sponsor)
To make sure your documents are accepted by UKBA, please check the format requirements in the Tier 4 Policy Guidance document on the UKBA website.
Remember that if your money is in another currency you must write the equivalent in UK £ Sterling on your application form. The UKBA uses www.oanda.com (external site) to check current rates.
Existing Visa
If you have a visa which was issued prior to the introduction of the Points Based system, or a visa which is in a category outside the Points Based system (such as a spouse visa, diplomatic visa etc), you may not need a TIER 4 visa to study at Brunel.
If you wish to enrol on a non-TIER 4 visa, you should contact the Immigration team at Brunel International as soon as possible to confirm that your visa is suitable for enrolment at the University.
If you have a TIER 4 visa issued by another sponsor, or which does not cover the whole duration on your course at Brunel, you will need to apply for a new Brunel sponsored visa before you can enrol.
If you are in any doubt about the suitability of your visa, please contact the Immigration team at Brunel International.
