Sponsorship
Before you enrol on a course it is important to check whether the education provider has a sponsorship licence. All Tier 4 sponsors are published by the UK Border Agency on their list of sponsors. Please note that the list is often updated so it is important to use the most recent version of the list. Each sponsor will be assigned one of the following ratings:
- Highly Trusted Sponsor
- A (Trusted) Sponsor
- B (Sponsor)
Only Highly Trusted Sponsors can offer courses with work placement and a wider range of courses. If you choose a school or university that does not have the appropriate licence for the course you wish to undertake, your application will be refused and you will not be allowed to undertake your course. It is therefore important to ensure that your chosen education provider has appropriate authorisation, before you pay your course fees.
You need to bear in mind that if you chose a B rated sponsor, there is a higher risk that their licence might be withdrawn and this may affect your rights to enter or remain in the UK. B rating is awarded to sponsors who do not meet all of the Home Office requirements or who did not comply with all of their duties in the past.
Your university/education provider is obliged to assign a CAS and provide you with a reference number together with other information used in the CAS. You will need those details to make your application and ensure that it is successful.
When to apply
There are two dates which will determine the date of your Tier 4 application:
- Within 6 months of the date that your Certificate of Acceptance for Studies was issued, and
- no earlier than 3 months before the start of your course.
You need to remember to keep the relevant funds present in your account for 28 days as it may also affect the date of your application! For more details review the Funds Requirements.
Where to apply - in country or outside of the UK?
- If you are already in the UK but your next course starts more than one month from the date of expiry of your current visa, you need to return to your country and apply for Entry Clearance at a British post abroad.
- You can apply from inside the UK only if your current leave is in a specified category. Generally speaking all those currently on a Student visa or Tier 4 can apply in country to extend their stay. If you hold a different type of visa please contact us for a detailed assessment.
- If your current visa does not allow you to switch into a Tier 4 General category in-country, you will have to go back to your country of origin or country of legal residence and apply for Entry Clearance at a British post abroad.
Biometrics
Regardless of where you make your application, you are required to submit your biometric details (fingertip scan and a digital photograph of your face) for the record.
