Extending your study visa

Are you finishing your undergraduate degree in a UK institution soon and thinking about staying for a masters? This guide will help you navigate various steps to extending your study visa.

If you are already studying in the UK as an international student and you would like to stay here to complete a master’s degree, then you have to complete some important steps for extending your study visa. If your student visa runs out you won’t be allowed to stay in the UK to study, so make preparations now.

What is the UK study visa system?

Many overseas students choose the UK for study.  However, to live in the UK as a student requires a valid visa to allow entry to the UK for study purposes. Applying for a UK study visa requires a number of documents, including:-

• a current passport or other valid travel documentation
• a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) issued by the university

The UK Visas and Immigration service (UKVI) requires applicants to have the financial means to live and study in the UK. You will need to pay a fee to obtain your study visa.
There are a number of other important documents required, depending on the course you are applying for. 

If I am already in the UK studying, why do I need another study visa?

The CAS is valid for the course you have applied for, so if you want to apply for a different course then a new CAS will be required.

Most students apply for a study visa while based in their home country. However, you can apply to extend your study visa if you are already in the UK at university. This is necessary if you are applying for a new course as well.

Staying on to study a master’s degree

If you plan to continue your studies from undergraduate to postgraduate at the same university, then you probably have already met the admissions team who will assist you. However, if you are applying to a new UK university then allow plenty of time to process your application.

Applying to extend an existing study visa

If you are already studying in the UK on a student visa then its OK to make your application to extend while you are here. However you need to be ready to make the application before your current visa expires.

An application for permission to stay must be made no more than 3 months before the start date given in your new CAS statement. Your CAS start date is usually either:-

• The day after your visa expiry date, if you are extending your visa to carry on the same programme
• The date your work placement starts if you are adding a work placement to your programme (see below for important guidance on this)
• The start date of your new programme of study if you are starting a new programme

Showing academic progress

If you’re currently studying in the UK, you’ll usually need to show your studies will be at a higher academic level than your current course. Academic progress from undergraduate degree to masters degree is the reason most students apply to extend their student visa.

If you currently hold a valid study visa, you can only apply to extend that from within the UK if your new course starts within 28 days of the expiry of your current visa.

In every case contact the international student team at the university you plan to attend. They will confirm the documents they require to admit you on to the course.

Two important points to remember

Applications to extend your study visa can take between 6 to 8 weeks to process
You should not travel outside the Common Travel Area (the UK, Ireland, the Isle of Man and the Channel Islands) while you are awaiting a decision on your application as this will invalidate your application and cause problems in the future.

My masters course includes a work placement -  How does this effect my study visa?

A number of postgraduate degrees include the option of a Work Placement. This can be an excellent addition to the programme because it allows you to apply your academic skills in a particular area of work. These are often available in business courses, and also some programmes connected to computing, science and engineering.

However, there are rules regarding your study visa, particularly if your visa is has a limited time left, or if there is a need to travel outside the UK in connection with the work placement.

You can make the visa application within the 3 months prior to the start of your placement, or within the 3 months prior to commencing the following academic year of studies. The processing time varies depending on where the application is submitted.  

There are also important rules about taking paid work while your are studying, because earning a salary could effect your visa status as well.

Next steps

These details cover just the basic steps for extending your study visa. Please get in touch with the university admissions team making you the offer. They are the experts to guide you in the process.

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