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Applying to enter the UK as a Tier 4 (General) Student without a current student visa.

What is a Tier 4 visa? A Tier 4 student visa is required to study at Aston University for courses longer than 6 months in length. You need to score 40 points; you are awarded 30 points for a valid Confirmation of Acceptance of Studies (CAS) and 10 for maintenance (available funds). 

Which application form do I use? To apply for a Tier 4 visa you need complete form VAF 9 and form Appendix 8. You may need to either complete form VAF 9 online or as a paper copy. To find out which please see the  Should you apply online or complete an application form on paper? (see bottom of page)

Where do I access VAF 9 and Appendix 8?  You can access the online VAF 9 form here. A completed example of the online application is available here.  The paper copy of VAF 9 is available here.  A completed example of the paper copy of VAF 9 is available here.

Where do I access Appendix 8? You can download appendix 8 here. A completed example of appendix 8 is available here.

As well as your completed VAF 9; appendix 8; and bank statements (birth certificate and parental letter if using parental bank statements); you also need to provide several other documents with your application. You will need to provide one photocopy of each document, as well as the original. You will also need to provide professional translations of documents which are not written in English.

  • The fee for your application 
  • Passport 
  • Passport photographs
  • The original qualification (shown in your Aston CAS e-mail) that Aston used to assess your suitability for the course 
  • Your Biometric Residence Permit for the UK – but only if you already have one 
  • You may need an Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) certificate. ATAS only affects a few students, mainly research students studying in the School of Engineering & Applied Science or the School of Life & Health Sciences. Find out more about ATAS. 

Please ensure your documents meet the criteria as listed in the Tier 4 application guidance before applying; if you have any worries please contact us for advice. The Tier 4 application guidance is available here. 

A CAS is a Confirmation of Acceptance for Study: a unique code which links you to Aston University on the UK Border Agency database. A CAS confirms that Aston University is your educational "sponsor" and means you will only be able to use your visa to study at Aston University.

How do I get a CAS? Your CAS number is valid for six months. You can use it to apply for your Tier 4 visa no earlier than three months before the start date of your course. You will be sent a pre-CAS questionnaire once you have accepted your place. Complete and return the questionnaire. The CAS will then be sent to you by email. You can use the detail in the CAS email in order to complete your visa application forms.

How much money do I need to show? You need to demonstrate access to any tuition fees you have left to pay and maintenance funds. For example if your tuition fees are £15,000 and you have paid a £1,000 deposit (make sure this is shown on your CAS) you must show £14,000 in your account.  You also need to show access to maintenance funds of £7,200.  If  you pay any fees (rent) for University Accommodation, you can only use a maximum of £1000 towards the maintenance; for example if you pay £1000 to Aston University accommodation (make sure this is shown on your CAS) you would then only need to show £6,200 in your bank account.

You must show a minimum of the combined balance of remaining tuition fees + maintenance funds. For example £14,000 + £7200 = £21,200. This money must be held every day for a  consecutive 28 day period including the closing balance; bank statements should be dated no more than one month before your application.   (If you pay any further fees to Aston University for tuition or accommodation once you have received your CAS you must contact us straight away so we can update your CAS.) 

How do I demonstrate I have enough money? You can only use money held by you or your parents/legal guardian.  You cannot use money held by any other friend or relative.  Most students demonstrate this on bank statements; these statements must be dated no more than one month prior to the date of application. Official bank statements It is very important that the documents you use to show the maintenance meet the exact criteria. If your funds are not in British Pounds you must convert the final balance on the date of the statement using www.oanda.com/convert/classic. If you are applying from India, Pakistan, Iran or the Philippines please check here for banks you can use to show available funds. If using a government loan or sponsorship please see Tier 4 application guidancee or contact us.

Some nationalities are considered to be "low risk"  and may not need to send every document with their application. Evidence is always required but not always requested, so please contact us before you send your application if you think this applies to you.

Your personal bank or building society statements should cover a 28 day period ending no more than 1 month before the date of the student’s application and must show:
• the student’s or their parents(s)/legal guardians name; and
• the account number; and
• the date of the statement; and
• the financial institution’s name and logo; and
• the amount of money available.

We now have an example bank statement, which shows all of the requiremens. Please note this is an example and must not be used with any visa application.

If you are using other documents to show funds and for the full exact criteria of financial evidence please check a pages 31 to 35 of the Tier 4 application guidance. Please ensure  your documents meet the criteria as listed in the Tier 4 application  guidance before applying; if you have any worries please contact us for advice

What if I am using my parents bank statements? If you are using parental bank statements you must also include your birth certificate showing the names of your parents and a letter confirming their relationship to you (that they are your parents) and that they have given their consent for you to use their funds to study in the UK

I still feel like I need some help, who do I contact? We offer free confidential immigration advice and support for applicants for Aston University; if at any point in the application process you need further advice or support please do not hesitate to contact us.

Increased Fees:  The visa application fee for Tier 4 (General) Students will increase in April 2013 to £298. 

Example bank statement: We now have an example copy of what your bank statements should include. Please note this is an example and must not be used with any visa application.

The use of loan letters as evidence of your funds:  The Immigration Rules will change on 28 February 2013 with the result that if you wish to use a loan letter as evidence of your funds this letter must confirm that:

"the loan is provided by the national government, the state or regional government or a government sponsored student loan company or is part of an academic or educational loans scheme."

This will affect all applications made on or after 28 February 2013. Therefore if you will be using a loan from a different source (such as from a bank) and you are going to make your application on or after 28 February 2013 then you should transfer the funds into your own bank account (or that of your parents or legal guardian) and wait 28 days before using one of the other forms of evidence such as a personal bank or building society statement. 


Increased Maintenance: The amount of money that students need to show for maintenance as part of visa applications changed in April 2012.  Students coming to study at Aston University now need to show that they have at least £800 per month up to a maximum of nine months (£7200) + enough money to pay all the remaining tuition fees.  If you are paying money to Aston University for accommodation (rent), you can now only use a maximum of £1000 of this towards meeting the maintenance requirements for your visa.

Limits on Time in the UK: The UKBA have introduced a 5 year time limit for students studying at degree level with a Tier 4 General visa.  There are be special arrangements for some Master's degree and PhD students. 

Tuberculosis Screening: The UKBA have expanded the number of countries which require pre-entry tuberculosis (TB) screening for a visa of more than 6 months in length. The full list is available here.      

Skype 'Drop In Session': If after reading the information below you have further questions and would like to speak to an adviser we you can contact Melanie Reynolds on Skype Username: 'melreynoldsaston' or please email issu@aston.ac.uk for advice. 

Page last updated 23/04/2013 JLW