If you are applying from outside the UK, you must apply online for a Tier 4 (General) student visa. You must ensure you apply with enough time to arrive in the UK before your course begins and be available to attend the International Welcome and Orientation Programme for all new international and EU students.

Please note that you must not make your Tier 4 visa application more than three months before the start of your course, before you are issued with a CAS from the International Compliance Team, or before you meet the other immigration requirements and have all of the required ORIGINAL supporting documents in your possession.

 

In most cases, you must complete the 'Tier 4 (General) student' application form online using the link below. You must first set up an account online and complete the application form in English.

https://www.gov.uk/apply-uk-visa

Once you have set up an account you should select 'Apply for myself' and complete the 'Applicant details' section before selecting a 'Tier 4 (General) student' visa application.
You will generally need to select 'Study' as your ‘Reason for visit’ and then 'PBS Tier 4 student' as the 'Visa type'

If you require any assistance in the process, please contact the International Student Advisor on International@tees.ac.uk.

• A valid CAS (you can obtain this from the International Compliance Team).
• A completed online application form (you can receive assistance with this from the International Student Advisor).
• Your/ your dependants (if applicable) passport and any previous passports used to travel to the UK.
• Your/ your dependants (if applicable) BRP card/s and any previous BRP card/s.
• Your/ your dependants (if applicable) police registration certificate (if you have previously studied in the UK and it was a requirement of your visa to have one)
• TB Certificate (if applicable)
  https://www.gov.uk/tb-test-visa/overview
• One passport sized colour photo, taken within the last month, which meets the Home Office requirements. Photos must be professionally printed and should be 45mm high by 35mm wide.
  https://www.gov.uk/photos-for-passports
• Financial documents which prove you have the required funds (maintenance) available to you. You will need to demonstrate maintenance for living costs PLUS any unpaid course tuition fees listed on your new CAS for the required period and in the required format. For more details see the 'Maintenance' section.
  See also the Tier 4 Policy Guidance:
  https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-on-application-for-uk-visa-as-tier-4-student

• A valid ATAS certificate (if applicable). Students applying for postgraduate study in certain sensitive subjects, knowledge of which could be used in programmes to develop weapons of mass destruction or their means of delivery will need to apply for an ATAS certificate. You need to apply for this before your receive your CAS (if required) and you should allow at least 20 working days. 
  https://www.gov.uk/academic-technology-approval-scheme
• For students applying with dependants, PLEASE ENSURE YOU SEEK ADVICE FROM AN INTERNATIONAL STUDENT ADVISOR TO RECEIVE INDIVIDUAL ADVICE IN THIS REGARD. 
  
  See also the PBS Dependant Policy Guidance:
  
  https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-for-dependants-of-uk-visa-applicants-tiers-1-2-4-5

• You will need to know what evidence your Tier 4 sponsor (Teesside University) has included on your CAS so that you can include it with your supporting documents. You must get this information from your Tier 4 sponsor before you make your application. This will be sent to you via email from the International Compliance Team with your CAS. This may include certificates and transcripts of your qualifications and evidence of your English language ability.
  
  

  Please note: If a document is not in English the original must be accompanied by a fully certified translation by a professional translator/ translation company. See the Tier 4 Policy Guidance for full details of the requirements.

• You will need to be in a position to pay the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) for yourself and for any dependants. The Immigration Healthcare Surcharge was introduced in April 2015. This charge relates to the UK National Health Service (NHS). The Immigration Health Surcharge is currently £150.00 per year per person.
  
  

  https://www.gov.uk/healthcare-immigration-application/how-much-pay

• You will need to be in a position to pay the visa application fee of £335.00 (Standard Service) plus £335.00 for each dependant applying at the same time as you. Priority and Premium Service is available at an additional cost.

 

You must show that you have money for living costs for each month (£1015.00 per month) of your course up to a maximum of 9 months. The total living costs you must demonstrate should be based on the course dates listed on your new CAS, and be up to a maximum of 9 months (£9135.00). You must also show any unpaid course tuition fees listed on your new CAS for the required period and in the required format.

If you are permitted to bring dependants with you to the UK, each dependant must show that they have enough money for living costs for each month (£680.00 per month) of your course and be up to a maximum of 9 months (£6120.00). If you are unsure if you can include a dependant in your application, please contact International@tees.ac.uk.

Please note: If you are using a personal bank or building society statement, this money will need to have been held in your bank account for a consecutive 28 day period on the date of your application. The evidence that you provide must be dated within 31 days of the date of your application.

Additional Information
You can provide evidence that you have enough money to cover your living costs and tuition fees in the following ways:

• cash funds in the bank (this includes savings accounts and current accounts even when notice must be given); or
• as a loan letter (the loan must be provided by your national government, state or regional government, or by a government sponsored student loan company or be part of an academic or educational loans scheme); or
• official financial government sponsorship available to you.

Other accounts or financial instruments such as shares, bonds, overdrafts, credit cards and pension funds are NOT acceptable.

If you want to use funds held within a joint account as proof of your money, you must be named on the account along with one or more other person.

The money must be for your use for studying and living in the UK and must continue to be available to you after your application is made, except for any money that you have to pay for course fees and living costs.

Your personal bank statement must show:

• your name or your parent/ legal guardian’s name and
  
• the account number; and
  
• the financial institution’s name and logo; and
  
• the amount of money available
  

If you wish to submit electronic bank statements these must contain all of the details listed above. In addition, you will need to provide a supporting letter from your bank on company headed paper, confirming the authenticity of the statements provided.

Alternatively an electronic bank statement bearing the official stamp of the bank in question will be accepted. This stamp must appear on every page of the statement.

Where your funds are in a currency other than pound sterling, the amount considered will be based on the exchange rate for the relevant currency on the date of application published on www.oanda.com.

USING FUNDS HELD IN A PARENT(S) / LEGAL GUDARDIAN(S) ACCOUNT

If you are using cash funds in the bank, you can use money held in an account owned by you or your parents. If you are using funds held by your parents, you will need to show that you are related to them and must provide one of the following:

• your birth certificate showing the names of your parent(s)/ legal guardian(s); or
• your certificate of adoption showing the names of both parents(s) or legal guardian(s); or
• a court document naming your legal guardian(s). The copy used must be the original legal document or a notarised copy.

If you are relying on money held by your parents(s)/legal guardian(s), you must also show that your parent(s)/legal guardian have given their permission for you to use this money. You must provide: a letter from your parent(s) or legal guardian(s). The letter must confirm:

• the relationship between you and your parent(s) or legal guardian(s); and
• that your parent(s) or legal guardian(s) have given their consent to you using their funds to study in the UK.

If you are going to use a loan letter, the letter must be from a regulated financial institution and must not be dated more than 6 months before the date of your application. There must be no conditions placed on the release of loan funds to you other than your Tier 4 application being successful.

You cannot use loans held in the name of your parent (s) or legal guardian (s) as evidence of money held by you.

Where your funds are in a currency other than pound sterling, the amount considered will be based on the exchange rate for the relevant currency on the date of application published on http://www.oanda.com.

If you are being given Official Financial Sponsorship, you must provide a letter of confirmation from your Official Financial Sponsor on official letter-headed paper or stationery of the organisation of the official financial sponsor which must have the official stamp of that organisation on it.

If you are being given Official Financial Sponsorship which will cover all of your fees and living costs, you will not be required to submit bank statements to evidence maintenance funds.

Full details can be found using the links below:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-on-application-for-uk-visa-as-tier-4-student

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-for-dependants-of-uk-visa-applicants-tiers-1-2-4-5

 

• You should complete the application form in English.
• You should print the application form/ supporting documents cover sheet.
• You will need to arrange a suitable BRP collection location in the UK within 10 days of your arrival. The closest BRP collection location to Teesside University is: Middlesbrough Post Office, 17 - 19 Centre Mall, Cleveland Centre, Middlesbrough. TS1 2NR.
• You will need to book an appointment at a visa application centre.
• You will need to pay your Immigration Health Surcharge fee online if applicable.
• You should pay your application fee for the service you require.
• You will need to prepare your ORIGINAL supporting documents and any translations if not in English to take with you to your appointment.
• You should ensure that you read the Tier 4 Policy Guidance before you make your application and the Tier 4 PBS Dependant Policy Guidance if applicable.
• Once you receive your new BRP card, this should be sent to the International Compliance Team immediately. International.Compliance@tees.ac.uk.
• To check visa processing times: click here