Immigration control if you are not a UK or Irish national
You are subject to immigration control. This means you will need to have a visa or an immigration permission that allows you to study in the UK. You must also complete a 'Right to Study' check to finish your enrolment at the University.
UK visa 'brake'
On 4 March 2026, the UK government Home Office announced a 'visa brake' on Student visas for four countries; Afghanistan, Cameroon, Myanmar and Sudan. From 26 March 2026, entry clearance applications to study in the UK from nationals of the four named countries will be automatically refused.
What does it mean for new students due to start in September 2026 that are currently outside the UK? The University will be unable to sponsor new students with a CAS to apply for a Student visa. Offer holders for new academic programmes within the UK that may be impacted by the visa brake will be contacted individually.
How long will the visa brake last? The visa brake is initially in place for a period of 18 months from March 2026. At that point, the UK government Home Office will review and either extend or remove the brake.
What does it mean for current students and for those already in the UK on a Student visa? The visa brake only impacts those students that need to apply from outside the UK. Students that are eligible to extend their Student visa from inside the UK are not impacted.
Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) questionnaire
The University will email you a link to complete our CAS questionnaire when you are unconditionally accepted onto your course.
You should complete it as soon as you get it, even if you do not think you need a Student visa
British overseas citizens or protected persons
You are still subject to immigration control and do not have the automatic right to study and work in the UK if you are:
- British overseas territories citizen
- British overseas citizen
- British national (overseas)
- British protected person
If you are a British subject, you will usually be subject to immigration control. This means that if your course is longer than 6 months you will need a CAS to apply for a Student visa. You can also apply for a different immigration type that allows study.
Find out more about types of British nationality.
You will need a Student visa if:
- you plan to study in the UK for more than 6 months
- your course is longer than 6 months, even if you will not spend more than 6 months in the UK - for example, you spend 1 semester studying in the UK and 1 semester studying overseas
Learn about the conditions of a Student visa.
Find out how to:
