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VISA Information

In order to study in the UK, you will need a UK visa. If you are younger than 18, you can apply for a Tier 4 (Child) student visa. If you are older, you will need a Tier 4 (General) student visa. If you will be studying our Pre-Masters programme, we will offer Combine VISA service.

When should I apply for a VISA

The earliest you can apply for a visa is three months before your course start date. Apply as soon as possible after this to make sure there is enough time for your application to be processed.

How long can I stay in the UK on a student visa?

If your course is between six and 12 months long, you may arrive in the UK up to one month before the start date. You can stay in the UK for an extra four months after your course ends. If you are on a short-term study visa, you must leave after either six or 12 months (depending on the length of stay applied for).

The visa process

In order to be granted a visa, your application must be approved at every stage. The process is as follows:

  • You must apply for a programme at Britannia Global Education.

  • You must receive and accept an offer of a place on your chosen programme.

  • Your paperwork will be checked by our immigration expert staff, including financial statements and IELTS scores. A tuberculosis certificate is also required for applicants from some countries.

  • Pay a deposit and CAS (Certificate of Acceptance of Study) payment to Britannia Global Education.

  • Your CAS will be issued.

  • Apply for your visa. You must attach financial statements that prove that you have the funds to cover the course and your living costs, as well as a consent letter from your parents if you are under 18 years of age. 

  • It is uncommon for under-18s to be invited to a credibility interview, although you should be prepared just in case.

  • You will be contacted to let you know whether or not your visa application has been successful. 

Can I work during my programme?

If you are a Tier 4 student over the age of 16, you are entitled to work during your programme at Bellerbys College providing that your visa is granted on or after 1 August 2019.

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The main purpose of the Tier 4 visa route is for students to come to the UK to study. Where a student is permitted to work, the intention is that this should be an opportunity to gain work experience in their field of study. In most cases we expect this to be taking a part-time role for an established business/organisation (for example, a customer service role at a retailer) or as part of a work placement provided it is an integral and assessed part of your course.

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Students on a Tier 4 visa can work full time (up to 40 hours per week) during term breaks, including students studying English language preparation programmes. During term time, a Tier 4 visa allows you to work for a maximum of 10 hours per week. This is the maximum hours in any one week, including paid or unpaid work and for one or more organisation. This cannot be averaged over a longer period. A 'week' is defined by the Home Office as a period of 7 days beginning with a Monday. This also includes both paid and unpaid work.

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If allowed to work, students cannot:

  • be employed as a doctor in training (except on a recognised foundation programme)

  • be employed as a professional sportsperson (including a sports coach)

  • be employed as an entertainer

  • be self-employed (except where the student is awaiting a decision on an application they have made for leave to remain as a Tier 1 Graduate Entrepreneur)

  • engage in business activity

  • fill a full-time, permanent vacancy (except on a recognised foundation programme or as a Student Union Sabbatical Officer).

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If you stop studying before completing your course, you will no longer be entitled to work and will be in breach of your conditions of leave if found working.

For a comprehensive guide to working during your studies visit UK Council for International Student Affairs.

Combined visa

Save time and money, and experience a seamless transition to postgraduate success, by studying our Pre-Masters Programme and your Master's degree with one visa. Doing this means you will benefit from:

  • Just one visa required for the whole length of your study

  • Alternatives to IELTS for UKVI can be used to join the Pre-Masters Programme*

  • No need for an additional IELTS test before starting your Master's degree

  • No visa requirement to return home between the courses

  • Work up to 20 hours per week

  • Ideal for students who have exceeded their two years of pre-degree study in the UK

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