Student Visa - Academic Progression and Time Limits

Academic progression is an important part of your Student visa application, and will dictate whether you can make your visa application in the UK.

You cannot make a Student visa application from inside the UK unless your new course represents academic progression from your previous course in the UK.

You will be able to show academic progression if:

• You have successfully completed (i.e. achieved the award for) your most recent course of study in the UK for which you were given a Tier 4/Student visa; AND
• your new course is at a higher level than your previous course; OR
• complements your previous course. This means that your new course must be a specialisation of your previous studies, or a new course which, combined with your previous studies, will allow you to achieve your career goals.

You do not need to show academic progression if:

• You are making your new Student visa application from outside the UK.
• You are applying to re-sit an exam or repeat a course, or you have previously resat an exam or repeated a course, and you need extra time to complete your course.
• You wish to undertake a period of study abroad or a work placement, or you have already done so, and you need extra time to complete your course.
• You are applying for more time to complete your PhD for which you were last granted a Tier 4/Student visa (including at a new sponsor).
• You are applying to undertake a role as a Sabbatical Officer.

The University will assess whether you meet the academic progression requirements before we issue you with a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS).

There are limits on how long you are permitted to study in the UK on a Student visa at different levels.

Courses below undergraduate degree level

You are permitted to study courses below degree level in the UK with a Student visa for up to two years.

Courses at undergraduate degree level

You are permitted to study a course at undergraduate degree level with a Student visa for up to 5 years unless you are studying an exempt course (e.g. architecture, medicine).

Courses at postgraduate degree level and above

There is no limit on study at postgraduate degree level and above.

How will the time limit be calculated?

The time limit is linked to the duration of your Student visa rather than the duration of your course/s. The time will normally be calculated from the start date of your first Tier 4/Student visa, until four months after you expect to complete your new course (i.e. the expiry date of a new Student visa). Any time during which you did not hold a valid Tier 4/Student visa will be discounted.