FAQs

Tier 4 (General) Student Visa is applicable for migrants from outside the EEA/EU who are applying for a Student Visa to come to the UK or those who are already studying in the UK and applying for an extension or new course. 

Under the Points Based System, applicants must attain a total of 40 Points in order to obtain a visa:

• 30 Points for a CAS issued by recognised sponsor
• 10 Points for satisfactory finances to support your studies

If you are not a UK/EU/EAA citizen, you will require an Tier 4 (General) student visa to study at Ravensbourne.

You will not require a Tier 4 (General) student visa if you currently have permission to be in the UK in another UK immigration category, which allows you to work abd study in the UK. However this immigration permission must be valid for the full length of the course you wish to study at Ravensbourne.

You need to apply under Tier 4 (General) visa if you are applying for Further Education, Undergraduate and Postgraduate Courses at Ravensbourne.

If you are not an UK/EU National you must study full time. Part-time study may be possible, please contact the admissions team for more information.

From the 6 April 2012, the amount of time that you spend in the UK as a student is five years.

This does not apply in the following cases:

• You have a three to four year undergraduate degree in the UK and are applying for a Masters course (total of six years)
• You have studied Architecture at undergraduate level and intend to pursue a Masters in Architecture or
• another exemption, please refer to the Immigration Rules and Tier 4 Policy guidance.

If you want to apply for a Tier 4 General visa to study at Ravensbourne, we recommend that you should start applying minimum three months before the course starts.  It is only possible to apply for a Student Visa after you have been issued with a Ravensbourne Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) Number.

Ravensbourne has partnered with Student.com, the world’s leading marketplace for international student housing, to help our students find homes whilst studying with us. They have the widest and most carefully selected range of rooms that were built and are managed specifically for students, including private lets for rooms in shared houses and flat shares etc. This gives students the power to explore and compare a variety of rooms across different neighbourhoods so that they can make the right choice.

• Price match promise
• 4.6* Trustpilot rating
• 24-hour service from a global expert bookings team which speak 12 languages
• Ravensbourne students can claim £100 uber voucher via Student.com  

Ravensbourne also works with a number of private accommodation providers to support students in finding suitable housing whilst studying at Ravensbourne.  For more information about our providers and how to apply,  please visit our accommodation page or contact our Student Adviser.

If you have student immigration permission that allows you to take employment, you can work up to 20 hours or up to 10 hours a week during term-time, but, you must not be self-employed or take a permanent full-time job.

However, you should be able to pay your tuition fees and living costs without having to work in the UK and you should not rely on money from work in the UK.

For more up-to-date information on working in the UK while you study, please consult the UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA).

For information on working in the UK after your studies, please visit the UKVI and the UKCISA websites.

An interview and portfolio are normally required. Overseas applicants who are unable to attend the interview in person may be interviewed by telephone or via Skype.

International students should speak to their doctor in their home country about which vaccinations to have and must also check with their local embassy whether there are any vaccinations that are legally required before they enter the UK.

Tuberculosis (TB) screening is required if you are from a country with a prevalence of TB. To check which countries this applies to, visit the UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) website.