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Admissions Team |
Rule
Issuance of Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS)
A CAS will only be issued to applicants who meet the following conditions:
- All conditions in the conditional offer letter are fulfilled, and the offer is formally accepted by the deadline.
- The deposit is paid, or official evidence of funding from a government or international sponsor is provided.
- The applicant has not been misled or oversold into having unrealistic expectations.
- The applicant has a genuine intention to study and complete the programme.
- The CAS questionnaire and supporting documents are submitted.
- The applicant can demonstrate all required evidence, including maintenance funds, to the UKVI.
- The applicant will comply with all conditions of stay.
The CAS is a requirement for a student visa application, confirming that the applicant meets all criteria and has a genuine intention to study in the UK. The CAS is valid for 6 months and includes necessary information for visa application, such as a unique reference number, programme details, and passport number. However, it does not guarantee entry clearance.
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Admissions Team |
Rule
Availability of the School CAS Questionnaire
Once all conditions are met and the offer is formally accepted, the School CAS Questionnaire will be made available to the applicant via an online portal. The applicant must complete the questionnaire and submit all required supporting evidence for the CAS to be issued.
The questionnaire and supporting documents are necessary to verify eligibility and issue the CAS, which is required for the student visa application.
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Admissions Team |
Rule
Impact of CAS Non-Compliance
Failure to comply with a CAS at the School or another institution may be considered in future applications for programmes of study at the School.
Non-compliance with CAS obligations reflects on an applicant's reliability and commitment, potentially influencing future admissions decisions.
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Admissions Team |
Rule
Limitation on Issuance of CAS After Visa Refusals
An applicant who has been issued two CAS numbers for a student visa application that were both refused will not be issued another CAS. This applies to both new applicants and existing students seeking to extend or switch their visa.
Repeated visa refusals indicate potential issues with eligibility or compliance, justifying the restriction on further CAS issuance to uphold the integrity of the visa process.
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Admissions Team |
Rule
CAS Issuing Deadline for Applicants Outside the UK
A CAS can only be issued to an applicant applying for a visa from outside the UK if:
- There are at least 15 working days before the registration date.
- Home Office processing times indicate that entry clearance can be granted before registration.
This ensures sufficient time for visa processing, allowing the applicant to secure entry clearance before the programme begins. International students should consult UKVI guidance on processing times.
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Admissions Team |
Rule
CAS Issuing Deadline for Applicants Within the UK
A CAS may only be issued to an applicant applying for a visa from within the UK if:
- There are at least 5 working days before the registration date.
- The registration date is no more than 28 days after the applicant's current visa expires.
- The applicant's immigration status allows for switching to a student visa.
These conditions ensure adequate processing time for the visa application before the programme start date.
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Admissions Team |
Rule
CAS Issuance Criteria for Existing Students
A CAS will be issued to existing students needing to switch or extend their visa if they meet all the following criteria:
- Enrolled in a full-time programme at the School.
- Have met academic progress requirements (if applicable).
- Have satisfactory engagement with their studies, as defined by the School's Attendance, Engagement, and Absence Policy.
- Have not had a break in studies of 60 days or longer.
- Are not awaiting the outcome of an academic appeal (unless required to continue studies pending the outcome).
- Submitted a completed CAS Questionnaire and all supporting documents at least 4 weeks before their current visa expires.
These requirements ensure that the student is actively engaged in their studies and that the CAS is issued in a timely manner to allow for visa processing.
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Admissions Team |
Rule
Issuing CAS for Existing Students Outside the UK
A CAS will be issued to an enrolled student applying for entry clearance from their country of residence if all the following criteria are met:
- Immigration Rules prohibit the student from applying for a visa within the UK.
- The student can demonstrate they meet all visa requirements.
- The student provides proof of return to their country of residence, such as a scanned flight ticket or re-entry visa stamp.
- The student has written permission from their Programme Leader for authorised leave to obtain a new student visa.
- The student has sufficient time during their authorised leave for the visa to be processed, based on Home Office guidelines.
These conditions ensure the student is eligible and has sufficient time to secure a new visa while minimising disruption to their studies.
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Admissions Team |
Rule
CAS Restriction for Graduation Attendance
The School will not issue a CAS to existing students solely to switch or extend their visa for attending a graduation ceremony.
A CAS is meant for academic purposes, not for extending a visa solely to attend a graduation.
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CAS Panel |
Rule
CAS Panel
The Admissions Team generally handles CAS applications. However, in more complex cases, the CAS Panel reviews the application. The CAS Panel is chaired by the Director of Education, the Head of Admissions, and a member of the Student Wellbeing Team. It convenes during the admissions window to consider such applications.
The reasoning and decisions of the CAS Panel must be recorded for auditing purposes. The Student Wellbeing Team member will minute the meetings, which may be held in person, in a hybrid format, or virtually. Most decisions are made by consensus, but if a vote is needed, it will be based on a simple majority of those present. In the event of a tie, the Chair has an additional casting vote.
The Chair of the CAS Panel reports to the Executive Committee. Applicants will be notified of the decision within 5 working days.
This process ensures that complex CAS applications are reviewed in a thorough and fair manner, maintains proper records for auditing, and guarantees timely communication with applicants.
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CAS Panel |
Rule
Only Genuine Students Can Be Issued with a CAS
The Admissions Team and CAS Panel will evaluate and make decisions based on the Immigration Rules and the School's regulations and policies. An application may be rejected if it is deemed not genuine or if the visa application is likely to be refused.
This approach ensures compliance with legal requirements and institutional policies, and prevents the issuance of CAS for applications that are unlikely to be successful.
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CAS Panel |
Rule
Requesting Additional Information for CAS Decisions
The Admissions Team and CAS Panel may request additional information to determine a CAS decision, including:
- Necessary financial information.
- Details about the applicant's immigration history.
- Reasons for choosing the programme and the School.
- Plans after graduation.
- A statement explaining how the new programme relates to any previous qualifications and supports career goals, if the applicant already holds a degree at the same or higher level.
If an applicant has been admitted to a comparable award at another institution, they will not be enrolled on a programme at the School unless the Director of Education determines that the new programme differs significantly. The Director's decision is final and not subject to appeal.
Requesting this information ensures that all aspects of an applicant's background and intentions are considered, allowing for an informed and fair CAS decision while adhering to institutional regulations.
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CAS Panel |
Rule
Escalation of CAS Matters
When necessary, the CAS Panel can escalate matters to the President for a final decision.
This provides a mechanism for resolving complex or contentious issues that require higher-level review.
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Students |
Rule
Appeal and Re-assessment of CAS Decisions
There is no right to appeal a CAS Panel's decision. However, a re-assessment can be requested if new supporting evidence, not previously available, is provided.
This allows for reconsideration of a decision based on new information, while maintaining that the original decision remains final.
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Executive Committee |
Rule
Refunds and Compensation Policy for International Students
According to the Refunds and Compensation Policy, if the School has made an unconditional offer to an international student requiring a visa, and a CAS has been issued, the deposit will not be refunded unless the visa application is denied for reasons beyond the applicant's control. The applicant must provide a copy of the refusal notice for assessment, and the School may consult immigration advisers.
If an international student is eligible to start their programme but fails to do so, the deposit will not be refunded. The School reserves the right to take any action regarding payments.
This policy ensures that refunds are only issued in cases where visa denial is outside the applicant's control and that deposits are not refunded if the student is otherwise able to start their programme.
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Admissions Team |
Rule
CAS Withdrawal for Applicants
The School reserves the right to withdraw a CAS before a visa is issued if:
- The offer for a place on the programme is withdrawn.
- The information on the CAS questionnaire is found to be untruthful.
- The documents submitted are judged to be fraudulent.
- The applicant’s engagement is deemed unsatisfactory.
This ensures that CAS is only maintained under valid conditions and helps prevent misuse or dishonesty in the application process.
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