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How to apply for a visa

Coming to the UK to study from overseas?

If you are from outside the EU/EEA and you wish to study in the UK, you are likely to need to apply for a Tier 4 (General) Student Visa before coming to the UK. Before you apply for a visa you need to be sure that you meet all the following requirements of the Points Based System.

Before you can apply for permission to enter or remain in the UK under Tier 4 (General), your education provider must assign a confirmation of acceptance for studies (CAS) to you. This confirms that you have been given an unconditional offer of a place on a course of study with a licensed Tier 4 sponsor. (City of Bristol College is a licensed sponsor)
You must have been accepted on a full time course (minimum of 15 hours per week day time study) and the course must be either level 3 or above, English Language course at level B2 or above of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR ) or a full time degree level programme
Before you can apply to study any course (including degree level) at a Further Education Institution in the UK, you will need to pass a secure English language test with an approved test provider for Tier 4. Please refer to the UKBA website for a full list of approved English language tests
If you are studying an English language course or any course below degree level (including Foundation Degrees) you must have achieved at least CEFR level B1 in all four components (reading, writing, speaking and listening) of the secure English language test
If you are studying at degree level or above, you must have achieved at least CEFR level B2 in all 4 components of the secure English language test
However the college may require a higher CEFR Level for entry onto a course. Please always check with the international admissions team for English level entry requirements
You must be able to show you have course fees for up to 1 year plus £5,400, (or if studying in London, course fees for 1 year plus £7,200). You must show that during the 28 days leading up to the date of your visa application, your account balance has not dropped below the above amounts. If your account drops below these amounts even for one day, you will not meet the financial requirements. Extra money is needed and further rules need to be adhered to if you wish to bring dependant(s) with you
A proven track record in education. You will need to send your certificates with your visa application

Once you have received your visa

You can stay on courses below degree level for a maximum of 3 years
You must attend your course regularly
You cannot switch college or university without permission from the UK Border Agency (UKBA). You must apply for a new Tier 4 visa and the new Tier 4 sponsor must assign a confirmation of acceptance for studies to you. This may take significant time and be costly
You must make progress on your course
You must not breach any of the requirements of your visa. You must keep the college or university informed of any changes in your contact details or circumstances

How to apply for a student visa from outside the UK

Download UK visas leaflet INF29
Download and complete form VAF9 and form PBS Appendix 8 (if applying as Tier 4 General Student) or PBS Appendix 9 (if applying as Tier 4 Child Student)
You can check to see how the application should be made from your country. You may be able to apply online or you may need to make an appointment
Submit both the forms, plus supporting documents

The College must report to UKBA within ten working days if:

You fail to arrive/enrol at the expected time
You miss ten expected contacts without permission
You discontinue study
You make any significant changes to your learning programme
We have any suspicions that you are breaching conditions of leave
Your circumstances change

Can I work whilst studying in the UK?

If you applied for your Tier 4 visa to study at City of Bristol College on or after 4 July 2011, you can work ten hours per week during term time and full time during your holidays.

Can I bring dependants to the UK?

If you are studying on a Tier 4 visa at City of Bristol College you will not be able to bring dependants to the UK with you, unless you are government sponsored and studying for longer than 6 months, or you are studying at post-graduate level for at least 12 months.

Provided you meet all of the requirements, we can help you with your visa application.

For information on how to apply for your course, please contact the International Office on 0044 117 312 5326/5090 or email international@cityofbristol.ac.uk.