Who is subject to immigration control?
If your nationality is not UK or Irish then you are subject to immigration control. Being subject to immigration control means that you will need a visa or have an immigration permission that permits study in the UK. All students that are subject to immigration control must complete a 'Right to Study' check to complete their enrolment at the University.
Students who are not UK or Irish are automatically sent an email with a link to complete our CAS questionnaire when they have been unconditionally accepted onto their chosen programme of study. Please complete the questionnaire immediately, even if you believe you do not need to apply for a Student visa; there is an option on the form for you to confirm your immigration status in the UK.
If you already have a valid visa or immigration permission for the UK which permits study at any institution at any level, you may not need to apply for a Student visa.
If your status is as: British overseas territories citizen, British overseas citizen, British national (overseas) or British protected person you are still subject to immigration control and do not have the automatic right to study and work in the UK. If you are a British subject you will usually be subject to immigration control. This means that if you are studying a course that is longer than 6 months in duration you will need a CAS to apply for a Student visa, unless you apply for a suitable alternative immigration type that permits study. Further guidance can be found here.
What visa do I need?
- Visiting/exchange students visiting for one semester (less than 6 months in duration) - Standard visit visa
- Programmes of study longer than 6 months in duration - Student visa
Please note that if you are registered on a collaborative programme of study that is jointly awarded by the University of Southampton, you will need a Student visa even if your study on our campus is less than 6 months in duration. This is because the duration of the course itself is longer than 6 months.
These webpages provide guidance on applying for a Student visa, Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS), completing a Right to Study check, Student visa conditions, what to do if you have lost your passport/visa, placements, a change in your circumstances (including programme transfer, change of personal details, immigration status, repeating a year, suspending/deferring/withdrawing and early completion), absence from study, and, working after study.
