What is Tier 4?

What is Tier 4?

The UK Immigration rules are based on a Points Based System (PBS).  PBS has five tiers (categories) of visas which will allow non-EEA/Swiss Nationals to work or study in the UK. The fourth category, Tier 4, is for students. If you are coming to the UK to study, you’ll need to get ‘entry clearance’ (permission to enter) under Tier 4 before you travel.

If you’re coming as an elective student or an overseas transfer student for the clinical years of the MBBS5 degree, you’ll still need to apply under Tier 4. Read more if you are already in the UK or are extending your studies.

How does the points based system work?

In order to be granted entry clearance to study at St George's, you will need to gain 40 points:

• 30 for confirmation from us that you are/will be studying at St. George's, in the form of a Certificate of Acceptance of Studies (CAS).
• 10 for proving that you have enough money to be able to pay your fees and support yourself while you are in the UK.

If you have a CAS (30 points) and evidence of sufficient funds (10 points) – you’ll have the required 40 points for a Tier 4 visa. It is important to note that you must obtain the full 40 points to get entry clearance. This means that if you do not provide a CAS and evidence of the required amount of funds, in the correct format, you will not get a visa.

30 points: Confirmation of Acceptance of Studies (CAS)

A CAS isn’t a physical document, but an electronic reference number which confirms that we will ‘sponsor’ you while you are in the UK as a student. We’ll give you this reference number once you have received an unconditional offer from us (this will not be until we have received the necessary documentation from you, as detailed by our Admissions team), and you are ready to apply for your visa. Please note that you cannot apply for your visa more than three months before your course starts - for example if your course starts on 1 September, you cannot apply for your visa before 1 June, therefore we will not issue your CAS before this date.

You will need to provide your CAS number in one of the sections of your application form and it is important to note that this number is only valid for your study at St George’s.

The UKBA will cross-reference your CAS number against the information we have given them. There are a number of documents that we require from you in order to confirm your studies here and we must have received these in order to provide you with a CAS. These documents will also need to be sent to the UK Border Agency (in original form) with your visa application, unless you are applying for your Tier 4 visa on or after 4 July 2011 and you qualify for the UKBA's Differentiation arrangements. Read more about Differentiation arrangements.

CAS: Prospective students (Undergraduate and Postgraduate)

You will only be issued with a CAS when your offer has become unconditional, that is when you have met any conditions attached to your offer, (for example achieving certain grades in your school/college/university course, completing your CRB and Occupational Health forms). As you cannot apply for your visa without a CAS, it is essential that we have all of the necessary documentation as soon as possible and that you wait until you have received your CAS before submitting your visa application.

CAS: Elective students

You will be issued with a CAS when your elective has been confirmed and we have received all of the necessary documentation. Please note that you cannot apply for your visa more than three months before your elective starts - for example if your placement starts on 1 April, you cannot apply for your visa before 1 January, therefore we will not issue your CAS before this date. If you are unsure of which documents are required to confirm an elective placement please see our information on medical electives.

Please note: when you are issued with your CAS it will be  accompanied by a 'CAS statement', which contains details of the information included in your CAS to help you to complete your Tier 4 application form.  It is your responsibility to check that the personal information contained in your CAS statement, such as your name and date of birth), are correct.  If any of the information is incorrect, (or spelled incorrectly) it is essential that you contact us immediately and let us know at the email below. 

email: visaadvice@sgul.ac.uk

You should not submit your Tier 4 application until you are sure that all of the information on your CAS statement is correct, (although you do not need to submit your CAS statement with your application).

10 points: Evidence of funds

The remaining 10 points are obtained by providing evidence that you can support yourself during your studies. Please see Financial requirements for more information.

Please note that if you are applying for your Tier 4 visa on or after 4 July 2011 and you qualify for the UKBA's differentiation arrangements then you will not be required to submit evidence of funds with your application, but you will need to confirm that you hold the required level of funds and are able to provide the required documents if requested to do so by the UKBA.  Please see Differentiation arrangements for further information.

For more details of the steps of the applications process, please see Where, how and when to apply.

----------
Please note that the above information is subject to change; please check the UK Border Agency’s website for updates.  The information herein provided is given in good faith for information only purposes. The information herewith provided is not intended to nor does it constitute legal advice. St George’s, University of London does not warrant the accuracy of the information provided and accepts no liability whatsoever as any claims arising from reliance thereon.