University of Chichester

International and EU Support - Short Courses

stylecurve

Short courses (up to 6 or 11 months):

Students who are coming to the UK for a short course that lasts no longer than 6 months (or up to 11 months, if it is an English Language Course) can apply for entry clearance as a “Student Visitor” rather than a “Student (General)”. The “Student Visitor” category is outside the new Points Based System.

The concession of allowing student visitor permission for short courses up to 11 months is temporary and likely to be removed at any time. Students wishing to study beyond their 6 or 11 months allowance must return to their home country to make a fresh application for entry clearance under Tier 4 (General).

The 'Student Visitor' category is only appropriate if ALL the points below are true:

  • Your course lasts 6 months or less/or up to 11 months (on a language course) AND
  • Your course does not contain a “practical element”, for example a work placement, or teaching practice AND
  • You do not want to work while you are studying AND
  • You do not want to extend your visa from the UK.

Students on short courses (up to 6 months) can apply as a “Student Visitor” on Form VAF1D.

If you want to work whilst studying, or if you might want to extend your visa from the UK, then you need to apply for a general Student Visa, the same as students on Long Courses.

Flowchart: which visa?

This page is for information only. The UKBA frequently amends the immigration rules. Please check www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk for the latest regulations.