University of Bedfordshire

At Bedfordshire we have a vibrant and cosmopolitan student population that includes around 20,000 students from over 100 countries. We are a modern university that believes in nurturing our students to become educated, employable and entrepreneurial global citizens.

We lead the way in expanding educational opportunity; with more than 40% of our students coming from families with no history of participation in higher education. Around 70% are mature returners to education and over half are from Black or ethnic minority backgrounds, under-represented in higher education. We have two main campuses in Luton and Bedford, with a large health teaching provision in Aylesbury at the world renowned Stoke Mandeville Hospital.

At our Bedford Campus you can find our specialist Sports Science labs and sports venues alongside our Performing Arts facilities which include two theatres and four fully sprung dance studios.

We appear in the Times Higher Education World University rankings, ranked as one of the top 300 universities in the world under 50 years old in the Young University rankings. We were extremely proud to come eighth in the UK in the People and Planet University Green League and also to celebrate an Eco Campus Platinum award.

We’re exploring new ways to make education more accessible and democratic than ever before. And we’re aiming to break down barriers and reach new learners all around the world.

Tier 4 visas

The Tier 4 (General) student visa is suitable for international students studying a full-
time undergraduate or postgraduate taught programme lasting longer than six months.
When applying for a TIER 4 visa, you must ensure that you can evidence to UK Visas and
Immigration (UKVI) that you meet all the academic and financial requirements. BSMI
will support you during the process of your Visa application, but you need to be aware
of all the relevant information that you need to provide to us at the time of your
application.
UKVI use a points-based system for visa applications, and you will need 40 points to
qualify for a Tier 4 visa. Points are awarded as follows:

30 points for having a valid Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) statement

Once you have an unconditional offer from us and we have received your 25% tuition
fee deposit and you have successfully undertaken a credibility interview with members
of BSMI staff, we will send your Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies statement (CAS).
Your CAS will include the following details:

• Your unique CAS reference number
• Your name, date of birth and passport number
• Your offer – the title and length of the course and the college details
• Why we have accepted you – the certificates you have provided, your English language ability and if you have studied in the UK before
• The course tuition fees and how much you have paid already
• Our Tier 4 sponsor license number

It is important that you use the same documents to apply for your visa that you did to
make your application. This is to ensure that all the information you provide to us is
accurate and that your CAS is correct. You will need to apply for your visa using the
same information and documents you used for your BSMI application.

UKVI may not award the points if:

• The information on your CAS does not match the information in your visa application
• You are using a CAS to apply for a visa more than three months before the start of
  your course
• You have used the same CAS before. Each CAS has a unique reference number and can
  only be used once; if you are making a new Tier 4 visa application, you will need a
  new CAS statement

10 points for having enough money to support yourself and pay for your course

Course fees

You must show you have enough money to pay the fees for the first year of your course (or the whole course, if less than a year) in an appropriate account for a sufficient period of time. Your CAS will show any money you have already paid to BSMI. This can be taken off the total amount you need to show in your bank account.

Living costs

As BSMI is located outside of London you will need to show £1,015 per month to cover
your living costs. You must show you have enough money to cover your living costs for
nine months (or the length of your course, if it is less than nine months).

Paying for UK healthcare as part of your student visa application

Students that want to apply for a Tier 4 visa to study in the UK will need to pay a fee to
use the National Health Service (NHS) – this is called a ‘migrant health surcharge’.
Important information about the migrant health surcharge:

• paying the surcharge gives you access a wide range of healthcare services, including
  doctors’ consultations
• as a student visa applicant, you will need to pay £300 per year in the UK on a Tier 4
  visa
• you must make the payment before you submit or send your visa or immigration
  application
• you need to make your payment online (https://www.gov.uk/healthcare-
  immigration-application/pay)
• you cannot obtain a tier 4 visa without making this payment.

How to show you have the required money

UKVI will accept any of the following (or a combination) as proof of the required
amount of money:

• Cash funds must be held in a bank account (including advance notice savings and
  current accounts) for a consecutive 28-day period (finishing on the date of the
  closing balance) ending no more than one month before your application.
• A letter from a regulated financial institution confirming a loan
• An official financial or government sponsorship

You can use money held in an account owned by your parent(s) or legal guardian(s),
providing you show evidence that you are related to them, and you have their
permission to use this money. More information can be found at the following link: PDF
ATTACHMENT for financial guidance

UKVI may not award the points if:

• The money is from a credit card or overdraft
• The money is held with a financial institution that cannot be verified by the UK Home
  Office. UKVI has a list of these financial institutions
• The money has not been in the account for a full 28-day period ending no more than
  31 days before the date of your application
• The amount of money shown is not enough when converted to pounds sterling. UKVI
  will use the exchange rate on the OANDA website  on the date of the closing balance
  shown on the document provided
• The money is in an account that is not in your name or the name of your parent(s) or
  legal guardian(s) whose permission you have. (For example, money held in a business
  account.)

Tuberculosis Certificate:

• Applicants will need to obtain a TB certificate if they are studying for over 6
  months and have been present in one of the countries listed in Appendix T of the
  Immigration rules for more than 6 months immediately prior to the visa
  application: https://www.gov.uk/tb-test-visa/countries-where-you-need-a-tb-
  test-to-enter-the-uk

Pre- Cas Questionnaire

Once all the submitted documents are assessed and validated by BSMI, we will ask
students to complete a PRE-CAS Questionnaire, which will be rigorously checked and
compared with the answers given during the Credibility Interview held by BSMI.
Please note: If you fail the credibility interview taken with BSMI, you will not be issued
a CAS to study your course in the United Kingdom. Please complete the PRE-CAS
questionnaire in an honest and clear way as your answers will be cross- checked with
the Credibility Interview to ensure your intentions to study at BSMI is genuine.

Credibility Interviews

• • In addition to the 40 points, you must gain for your CAS and financial evidence, you
    will be expected to take a Tier 4 credibility interview, either in person at the visa
    application centre via Skype or both. The interview will discuss the course that you
    wish to study in the UK, where you will be studying, why you have decided to study
    your chosen course, your personal and financial circumstances, and your future plans
    after graduation.
  • The interview will also determine if your English language ability is of a suitable
    standard. These interviews give you the opportunity to demonstrate that you are a
    genuine student, committed to studying in the UK with a clear understanding of
    what, why and where you will study.
  • At the interview, you should answer in an honest and clear way. The questions that
    will be asked should relate to you and your decision to study the course you have
    chosen. Your interview is likely to be between 8 and 30 questions long, depending on
    what information the interviewer thinks they need from you.
  • Prior to issuing a CAS, all students must attend to BSMI’s credibility interview, which
    will last about 45 minutes. During this time, BSMI will ask you all the questions
    relevant to your chosen studies and how studying this course will help you with your
    future plans

.
Essential Reading and Information

Tier 4/Student visa route student visa – https://www.gov.uk/student-visa
Fianancial guidance for Tier 4 (General) applicants
TIER 4 SUPPORT AND GUIDANCE2.O