Browse FAQs to help you understand all requirements before term starts.
If you still can't find the answer to your question, please get in touch:
Offers and decisions
Once you receive your offer, you can accept or decline it through your digital offer letter. Your offer letter will also confirm the deadline for accepting your offer and whether a deposit is required. If you’re unable to accept the offer or pay the deposit by the deadline, please contact the Admissions Team for support.
Can I defer my offer to the next academic year?
You are able to request a deferral for your studies with us. Most applicants can only defer from their course once. In order to request a deferral, you will need to email the Admissions Team. Please note deferring is not guaranteed.
What is the difference between a conditional and unconditional offer?
A conditional offer requires you to meet specific criteria (e.g., exam results or English proficiency) before enrolment. An unconditional offer means you have already met all entry requirements.
How will I know when my offer has changed from conditional to unconditional?
You’ll receive a notification through your email and also through your applicant portal once all conditions are met. Your offer will then be updated.
Documents and registration
Please check your conditional offer letter for document submission requirements and deadlines. If a Student Visa is required, City St George's will issue your Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) after you’ve accepted your offer, met all conditions, and provided all required documentation.
When do I need to provide all my supporting documentation to meet the conditions of my offer?
Please check your conditional offer letter email for the deadline date in which you must provide all the documentation for your offer. If you are facing significant delays in attaining these documents, please get in touch to let the Admissions team know so that this can be noted on your record.
How do I upload my final documents or transcripts to meet the conditions of my offer?
Please send any documents required to meet the conditions of your offer as an attachment via email. Please reply to your offer letter in order to get through to the correct Admissions email address.
My degree/English language results are below the requirements in my offer letter. Can I still be accepted onto the course?
In such cases, we would recommend contacting the Admissions team to see if your results can be accepted. Any such decisions will be taken on a case-by-case basis.
What happens if I cannot meet visa or financial requirements in time?
If you have been issued a CAS but are facing delays in receiving your Student visa, please contact the Admissions team to let them know and see if late registration can be allowed. If you’re unable to receive your Student visa in time to join the course, you may need to defer your application until the next intake.
If you’re unable to secure funding to join us at City St George’s, you may wish to defer your application to the next intake. In order to do this, please contact your admissions team.
When does my course start, and when will I receive my timetable?
Your course start date depends on your programme – most postgraduate courses begin in September. You’ll receive your induction timetable by email, and your full teaching timetable is shared shortly before classes begin.
Can I change my course or start date after accepting?
Changes may be possible but are subject to availability and approval by Admissions. Contact Admissions for guidance if you wish to change your course.
How do I complete online registration before arriving on campus?
Registration will begin close to the course start date. For those starting in September, this is ordinarily in August. You will be contacted by the Registry team with further information directly at that time.
Visa application
If you’re an international student, you’ll usually need a Student visa to study a full-time postgraduate taught course in the UK. For personalised guidance, please contact our Admissions Team.
What type of visa do I need for postgraduate taught study in the UK?
If you’re an international student, you’ll usually need a Student visa (formerly Tier 4) to study a full-time postgraduate taught course in the UK. This visa allows you to study, work part-time during term and full-time during breaks, provided you meet the visa conditions.
When should I apply for my visa?
You should apply for your Student visa as soon as you receive your official offer and have your Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) from City St George’s, which you will usually be invited to apply for two-three months before the course start date. It’s recommended to apply for your visa as soon as you have your CAS to allow enough time for processing.
What is a CAS (Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies) and how do I get one?
A Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) is an official reference number issued by City St George’s that confirms that you have been offered a place on a course. It’s required to apply for your Student visa. You will receive your CAS once you have accepted your offer, met any conditions, and provided required documents such as proof of prior qualifications and financial evidence.
What documents are required for my visa application?
To apply for a Student visa, you’ll typically need your Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS), a valid passport, evidence that you can support yourself financially and pay the tuition fees. Additional documents may be required depending on your personal circumstances or country of application.
Can I apply for my Student visa before receiving my CAS?
No. You cannot apply for a Student visa until you have received your Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) from City St George’s. The CAS is a required part of your visa application, so you must start the CAS issuing process when you are invited to do so, and wait until it is issued before submitting your application.
Do I need to provide biometrics, and what is a credibility interview?
Yes – when applying for a UK Student visa, you may be able to do this digitally using the UK Home Office IDV app if you are an EU national. Alternatively you must provide biometrics (fingerprints and a photo) at a visa application centre in your home country or country of residence.
You may also be invited to an online credibility interview as part of your application, where a UK Visa and Immigration Officer asks you to explain your study plans and how you came to choose your course in order to assess that you are a genuine student and your plans after your course. Not all applicants are asked to attend this interview.
How long does it take to receive a visa decision from the UK Home Office?
For a Student visa, decisions are usually made within three weeks of proving your biometrics when applying from outside the UK. Processing times can vary depending on the country and time of year, so it’s best to apply as early as possible to allow for any delays.
Can I study part-time on a Student visa?
Some postgraduate diploma and degree courses offer the option to study part-time. However part-time students are not allowed to work during their studies unless their course includes a work placement that is an integral and assessed part of the course.
Fees, healthcare and travel
International students entering the UK must have a valid passport with a digital visa, proof of enrolment (CAS), and confirmation of Immigration Health Surcharge payment. Complete these steps before your arrival to ensure a smooth entry process.
What is the Immigration Health Surcharge, and how do I pay it?
The Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) is a fee that you must pay as part of your visa application that gives you access to the UK’s National Health Service (NHS) while your visa is valid. The IHS is paid online as part of your visa application, using a debit or credit card.
Can I travel to the UK before my visa starts?
Once your visa has been issued you will be invited to apply for a digital eVisa. You can only enter the UK from the “valid from” date stated in your eVisa, which will be no earlier than one month before your official course start date. If you arrive earlier than this, you may be refused entry, so plan your travel to align with the start date shown on your visa vignette.
Can I travel outside the UK during my studies on a Student visa?
You can travel into and out of the UK whilst at City St George’s on a Student visa during weekends and holiday periods when you are not expected to be studying. However, depending on your nationality, you may require a visa to enter other countries. When you re-enter the UK, you may be required to prove that you are currently enrolled and studying at City St George’s. It is important to be aware of your responsibilities as a Student visa holder.
Is there anything I need to do on campus to complete my visa or ID verification?
As part of the university registration process, you will need to create a share code from the eVisa portal and share it with the university as proof of your Student visa status.
You will also need to book an in-person appointment with the registration team in order to complete the registration process.
How do I open a UK bank account?
You must complete an application form from your chosen bank or building society. You will need to show proof of your identity (e.g. passport), your UK address and student status (e.g. a letter from Bayes, which can be ordered online once you have completed registration). You may also need to make an initial deposit into the account.
If you are an international student, it may be helpful to bring references from your bank at home, if you already have one. Some banks may ask for additional proof of your overseas address or other additional information.
Work and post-study options
Your Student visa allows you to work part-time during your studies and opens pathways to remain in the UK after graduation. Find answers to common questions about work rights, restrictions, and post-study options below.
Can I work while on a Student visa for postgraduate study?
If you are on a full-time Student visa at City St George’s, you can work up to 20 hours per week during term time and full-time during official university breaks. If your course includes an assessed and integral placement, you may be allowed to work full-time during that placement. Part-time students on a Student visa are not allowed to work, and you cannot be permanently employed, self-employed, or start a business while on this visa.
Can I work full-time during the summer on a Student visa?
Yes - if you’re on a full-time Student visa, you can work full-time during official university breaks, such as Christmas and Easter holidays but not during the period that you are expected to be working on a dissertation.
What is the Graduate visa (formerly post-study work visa)?
The Graduate visa allows international students who have completed a UK Degree at undergraduate level or above to stay in the UK after graduation to work, look for work, or be self-employed. It’s valid for 18 months for master's graduates.
Can I switch from a Student visa to a Graduate visa?
You cannot apply for a Graduate visa while still studying a postgraduate course on a Student visa. You can only switch to a Graduate visa after you have successfully completed and been awarded your UK degree.
Visa support
Application delays and changes to your circumstances may require additional support. Find answers to common questions about visa challenges, extensions, and dependent arrangements below.
What should I do if my visa application is delayed or refused?
If your visa application is delayed, check your application status online and allow extra time for processing. If your application is refused, please send a copy to the International Student Advice team immediately for guidance on next steps.
What should I do if my Student visa expires before graduation?
Your Student visa includes a grace period of up to four months, depending on the length of your course, which allows time to attend your Graduation Ceremony. You must apply to extend your visa or switch to an appropriate visa type before your current visa expires to maintain legal status. Do not overstay your visa. For guidance on your options, contact the International Student Advice team promptly.
Who can I contact for visa advice or help with my application?
For guidance on immigration matters, contact the International Student Advice team at City St George’s. They can help clarify requirements, review your documents, and guide you through the application process.
Can I bring my family or dependents with me to the UK?
Most Student visa holders cannot bring dependants under current UK rules. You can only bring a partner or child if you’re studying a PhD or other doctoral-level course, or if you’re a government-sponsored student on an eligible programme.