Visas and immigration

Information about Student visas and immigration.

You must apply for a Student visa if you are:

  • An international student (including EU/EEA and Swiss)
  • On a full-time course 
  • Studying for more than six months

If you are already in the UK for other reasons, it might be possible to switch to a Student visa from another visa. Contact the Admissions Team for details.

Apply for your Student visa online through the UK Government website. You can apply up to six months before your course starts. 


What you’ll need

  • A valid passport 
  • Your Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS)
  • Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) certificate (if applicable)
  • Academic transcripts
  • Proof of English Language ability 
  • Proof of funds 
  • Tuberculosis (TB) test results (if applicable)

You might be asked for additional documents to support your application.

Confirmation of Acceptance for Study (CAS)

A Confirmation of Acceptance of Studies (CAS) number is a unique 14-digit code enabling LSTM to share information with UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) to support your visa application. 

To get your CAS:

  • Complete the CAS questionnaire
  • Receive an unconditional offer 
  • Pay your tuition fee deposit

LSTM will issue a CAS statement containing your unique CAS number, along with other important details with Confirmation of Place email. You will need a CAS number to submit your visa application, and you have six months from the CAS issue date to apply.

Make sure you check your CAS carefully and report any errors or changes to the Admissions Team immediately. 

Academic Technology Approval System (ATAS)

If you are planning to conduct research in specific sensitive technology-related fields, you may need an Academic Technology Approval System (ATAS) certificate before applying for a Student visa. Students who do not require a visa may still need an ATAS certificate.

LSTM will send you the CAH3 code for your subject area in your offer letter – you will need this for your ATAS application.  You can submit your ATAS application online, and it is free of charge. Certificates take up to 30 working days to process and are sent to you by email. 

The following nationalities are exempt from ATAS:

  • Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, Singapore, Republic of Korea and the USA.
  • EU/EEA countries and Switzerland.

Check if you need an ATAS certificate on the UK Government website.

Proof of funds

You need to demonstrate you have enough funds to cover tuition fees and living costs in the UK for the duration of your course. For 2025, this figure is £1,136 per month of study, up to a maximum of nine months.

Credibility interview 

UKVI might ask you to attend a credibility interview as part of your Student visa application.  This is usually an online interview, and will last around 30 minutes. The purpose of a credibility interview is to determine whether you are a genuine student. Attendance is compulsory, and it’s likely your visa will be refused if you do not attend. 

You could be asked about anything related to your visa application, including:

  • Your course
  • Why you chose LSTM
  • Why you want to study in the UK
  • Your immigration history
  • Your finances
  • Your career goals

The interview will be in English, and your English level will be assessed throughout.

Tuberculosis (TB) certificate 

If you live (or have recently lived) in certain countries you might need to provide a certificate of a negative TB test result as part of your visa application. You must attend an approved clinic for your test, and the certificate is valid for six months. 

Check if you need a TB certificate on the UK Government website. 

Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS)

The Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) is a compulsory payment that is part of the visa application process. It gives you access to the UK’s National Health Service (NHS) and must be paid even you have private medical insurance.

The 2025 IHS is £776 per year for Student visa holders. 

Identity verification

As part of your visa application, you will need to prove your identity. Depending on your circumstances you will either:

  • Scan your identity documents through the UKVI ID check app OR
  • Have your fingerprints and photo taken at a visa application centre (biometric appointment)

UKVI will tell you which process applies to you and provide instructions.

Your visa decision

You will usually get a decision within three weeks, but it can take a little longer at busy times of year. In some countries you can pay for a priority service to get a faster decision. 

When a decision has been made, the Home Office will send you an email or a letter to tell you whether your visa application has been approved or refused. 

If your visa application is refused, please contact the Admissions Team as soon as possible. 

If your visa application is approved you will receive instructions on how to create an online UKVI account and access your eVisa. Do this as soon as possible, and before you enter the UK. 

You can use your eVisa to view and prove your immigration status and generate a share code online. A share code is valid for 90 days, and you will need one to enter the UK and to register at LSTM. You can get a new share code whenever you need one. 

You can only travel to the UK on or after the ‘valid from’ date on your visa.

Check the details on your eVisa are correct and up-to-date before you travel and report any errors to UKVI and the LSTM Admissions Team immediately. 

Protecting your visa status

Your Student visa is only valid if you are actively studying the course specified on your CAS statement at LSTM. You can usually remain in the UK for four months after your course ends.

If you do not arrive for registration, leave your course, suspend your studies, or do not attend for an extended time, we may need to report you to UKVI for violation of your visa conditions. To avoid this, update the Student Support Team if there are any changes to your circumstances or any issues that could affect your studies.