Advice for international offer holders

As an international student, there are a few extra steps you need to take to join us here in Birmingham. Explore the next steps for your visa, accommodation and preparing to move to the UK.
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    Accommodation: International Guarantee Scheme

    As an international student, you will be guaranteed accommodation in your first academic year of study. To qualify, you will need to have firmly accepted your offer to study with us.

    Explore your accommodation options

Your visa application

1. Accept your offer, pay your deposit and receive your CAS

Once you have accepted your offer you will receive your Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS). If required, make sure you provide any additional information required for the CAS. Remember, if you are doing a postgraduate taught course you will need to pay your tuition fee deposit before you can receive your CAS. Find out more about tuition fee deposits.

2. Start your visa application

Before you start your visa application, make sure that you check which route you would like to apply for, i.e. student route visa, standard visitor. Once you have received your Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS), you can proceed with beginning your visa application.

3. Supporting documents

Once you have all the supporting documents you have (listed on the visas page) you can begin your visa application. Ensuring you have all the required documents prepared will make your visa application smoother and easier!

Before you travel

There are a few things to consider before you travel to the UK. It is really important to do these before you travel and will make your journey to Birmingham a lot smoother. 

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    Complete online registration

    By making sure to complete your online registration, you are confirming that you will be studying with us and agree to abide by our regulations.

    You will be asked to confirm your personal and programme details, as well as how you will fund your tuition fees. You will also be asked to upload a passport-style photo for your student ID.

    Use the link below to help you complete your registration. Here you will also be able to find more information on the process and any help if you need it.

    Complete my online registration
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    Complete My Right to Study

    As an international student, you will need to prove that you have the right to study in the UK and at the University of Birmingham.

    My Right to Study lets you upload documents for the International Student Team to check. Each time you upload a document, they’ll contact you to let you know if it’s been approved or rejected.

    When everything is uploaded and checked, you’ll get a confirmation email you can keep in case you need it. Then you’ll be good to start your studies.

    Find out more about Right to Study

Travelling to the UK

Pre-departure orientation and travel arrangements

Before you leave your home country to come to the UK, there will be an opportunity to attend any University of Birmingham pre-departure orientation sessions.

Make sure you book your flights in advance and make any travel arrangements. Make sure you have all your documents, so when you go through passport control you are best prepared. To help prepare you when you land in the UK, you can check out the UK Council website for International students.

Getting to campus

When you arrive in the UK, we have airport collections running from both London and Birmingham. If you are travelling from any other city, you can use trains to get to Birmingham.

We have our own train station on campus called 'University' which can take you to and from the city centre. Here you can get on a train direct to London, the airport and many other cities in the UK.

Exploring campus

Our campus map will help you find your way around our Edgbaston and Selly Oak campuses. It shows you buildings, study space locations, opening times and real-time travel information.

Campus maps

Collect Biometric Residence Permit (BRP)

Once you have arrived in the UK, you will be able to collect your BRP if your course is six months or longer. For students who are studying on shorter courses, you will receive a stamp on your passport upon arrival. Find out more on collecting your BRP.

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    Arrival and Orientation at the University

    When you arrive at the University, you will have the chance to move into your accommodation and get settled in. Within your first week at Birmingham, you will have the opportunity to attend an orientation session for international students. During your first few days, you can also complete any necessary administrative tasks, such as collecting your ID card and getting your timetable for your classes.

    Welcome