Visas and immigration

If you’re an international student you may need to apply for a visa or approval by the Academic Technology Approval Scheme before commencing your studies at Surrey.

    Visas

    To study at the University of Surrey, most international students will require a visa.

    The majority of full-time students at the University of Surrey will apply for a Student Visa in order to enter the UK and complete their course

    To apply for the Student Visa you must:

    • Have been offered a place on a course
    • Have enough money to support yourself and pay for your course
    • Be able to speak, read, write and understand English.

    Free movement for EU/EEA and Swiss nationals ended on 30 December 2020 and as a result, any students arriving from one of these countries will also require immigration permission to study in the UK. 

    If you are a citizen of one of these countries and were living in the UK before 30 December 2020 then you may be eligible to apply to the EU Settlement Scheme. If you are arriving in the UK after this date then you will need to apply for a Student Visa or hold alternative immigration permission that allows them to study in the UK. 

    Some students who do not meet all of the criteria to be able to apply for a Student Visa can apply under the Visit Visa category. Please note that the Visit Visa route is only for students coming to study a course or returning to studies for 6months or less. Any student on a full-time course of more than six months must apply for a Student visa or hold alternative immigration permission that allows them to study in the UK. 

    Learn more about applying for a visa.

    If you have any questions or concerns about which visa to apply for or when to apply please contact internationalsupport@surrey.ac.uk.

    Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) 

    Once you have been offered an unconditional place on one of our programmes, we will issue you with a reference number called a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS). You will need to enter this number on to your visa application. 

    Learn more about obtaining a CAS.

    Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS)

    You may need to apply for an Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) certificate in order to study certain subjects in the UK.

    Students applying for postgraduate study in certain sensitive subjects, knowledge of which could be used in programmes to develop weapons of mass destruction (WMDs) or their means of delivery, will need to apply for an Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) certificate before they can study in the UK. 

    If you are a UK, EEA or Swiss national you do not need to apply for an ATAS certificate. 

    Learn more about applying for an Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) certificate.

    Conditions of Service

    If you have accepted your place at the University of Surrey and have a complex visa issue that requires specific immigration or visa related advice, please read our Conditions of Service (PDF) and our Client Care Letter (PDF). If you agree with the statement in the letter please send a signed copy to internationalsupport@surrey.ac.uk.