Overseas Students
Students Visa Rules 2010
As from February 2010, international students applying to come to study in the United Kingdom must show that they have:
- Evidence of sufficient funds to pass the Maintenance and Funds test; and
- A Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS, formerly a Visa Letter), which is an official unconditional offer of a place on a course of study from an approved education provider. Students will be expected to submit the academic documents used to obtain an offer from the sponsor (college), such as certificates and examination results as part of their visa application.
Points Test
To gain a Tier 4 (General) Student Visa, applicants will have to score points against two sets of objective criteria with a total pass mark of 40 points:
| Maintenance and Funds Test | 10 Points |
| Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (or Visa Letter) | 30 Points |
| Pass Mark | 40 Points |
1. Evidence of Sufficient Funds to Pass the Maintenance and Funds Test
The money you need to show must cover your course fees for your first year of study and living costs for up to a maximum of 9 months. Your money must be held in cash. Furthermore, you must show that you have held the money in your account for at least 28 days prior to the date of your application.
The UK Border Agency estimates that you will need the following amount of money to meet basic living costs (not including fees):
- £800.00 p/month if college is in Inner London i.e. £7,200.00 for 9 months
- £600.00 p/month if college is in Outer London/ elsewhere in UK i.e. £5,400.00 for 9 months
As our college is in Inner London, you will need to show £800 per month or £7,200 for 9 months.
Proof of availability of Money
You can prove you have money if you have:
- Cash in an account in your name (this includes joint accounts with your name); or
- A loan in your name; or
- Official financial or government sponsorship.
- An official financial sponsor is Her Majesty’s Government, your home government, the British Council or any international organisation, company or University.
Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) (formerly a Visa Letter)
To apply as a student under Tier 4, you must have an approved education provider as your sponsor. South London Christian College is recognised by the UK Border Agency as an approved education provider and licensed to bring students to the United Kingdom under Tier 4 of the points-based system. As from February 2010, approved education centres will no longer issue Visa Letters. Instead, once we grant you an official and unconditional offer of a place on a course of study, a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) will be issued via the UK Border Agency’s online Sponsors Management System. A unique CAS number will then be generated for you, and we will pass this on to you. This number is all that you will need from us in regard to your Tier 4 visa application. You will no longer need to have an enrolment letter or visa letter from us.
Please note that in order to be successful in your Visa Application, you will be required to satisfy all the requirements of the category and any other requirements of the immigration rules.
