Supporting documentation

You will need to submit the following supporting documentation in your visa application.

For any document that is not in English or Welsh, it must be accompanied by a full translation that can be independently verified by the Home Office. Please note the English translation guidelines for the documentation.

Documentation checklist

Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS)

• Find out about the importance of your Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) and how to get one.

FINANCIAL EVIDENCE

• You will need to provide evidence that you have enough money to pay for your studies and support yourself in the UK while studying.

Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) clearance certificate (if applicable)

• Certain students who wish to study a master's or research degree programme in the physical sciences, computing and mathematics will need to obtain an Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS).
• This requirement does not apply to a national of the following country: EEA, Switzerland, Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, Singapore, South Korea or the United States of America.
• If it applies to your programme of study, Birkbeck will formally notify you through our formal offer of admission, which is sent electronically.
• It is important to note that, if required, both new and continuing students must obtain an ATAS clearance certificate before starting their programme of study.
• Continuing students must obtain a new ATAS clearance certificate for a further period of study before a new CAS can be issued. You should indicate in your application that you have previously been granted ATAS for the programme of study and that your application is not for a new programme of study.  
• The process normally takes a minimum of 20 working days and, therefore, you are advised to submit your ATAS clearance check application well in advance. You can apply for it up to nine months before the starting date of your course, and it is valid for six months from the date of issue.
• For an ATAS clearance certificate, the following information is required from the College:
  • the CAH3 code of your programme of study (stated in your offer letter)
  • a brief summary of your research proposal agreed with your (potential) supervisor (download examples of research proposals for reference).
• If you change your course, or area of research, you must obtain a new ATAS clearance certificate before making the change.  

Valid passport

• Your passport should have at least one blank page (both sides) left.
• Although it is not a mandatory requirement that your passport has a specific amount of time left, we advise you to renew your passport before making your visa application if your current passport will expire during your studies in the UK.

Tuberculosis (TB) certificate

• Residents of certain countries wanting to come to the UK for longer than six months must obtain a certificate confirming that they are free from tuberculosis before applying for a visa.
• You will not need a TB test if:
• you are applying for your Student visa from the UK, or  
• you lived for at least six months in a country where TB screening is not required by the UK, and you have been away from that country for no more than six months.  

Letter of parental consent (under 18)

• If you will be under the age of 18 when you submit your visa application, you will require the consent of your parent(s), or legal guardian(s).  
  
• The consent letter must confirm:  
• the relationship between you and your parent(s) or legal guardian(s) 
• that your parent(s) or legal guardian(s) have given their consent to your application 
• that your parent(s) or legal guardian(s) have given their consent to you living independently in the UK; and  
• that your parent(s) and legal guardian(s) have given their consent to your independent travel to the UK.  
• The letter must be signed by each parent or legal guardian unless your parent or legal guardian has legal custody or sole responsibility for you. 

Evidence of academic qualifications

• Your previous academic qualifications, normally the final transcript or certificate or diploma, will have been submitted as part of your course application.
• As Birkbeck is a Higher Education Provider (HEP) with a track record of compliance, you do not need to provide academic qualifications with your Student visa application. 
• If you are applying for an extension of your Student visa from inside the UK to start a new programme of study at Birkbeck, you will need to include official evidence that you have successfully completed your original course of study.

Evidence of English language qualifications

• All international students must satisfy Birkbeck's general English language requirement and Student visa knowledge of English requirement.
• If you are a national of one of the majority English-speaking countries or your academic qualification was taught in one of the majority English-speaking countries defined by the Home Office, you may be exempted from the Student visa knowledge of English language requirement. 
• Please note that you are not required to submit your English Language qualification with your Student visa application.

English translation guidelines

If any of your documents are not in English or Welsh, you must provide a fully certified translation from a professional translator or translation company that can be independently verified by the Home Office. This includes your financial documents.

Each translation must include:

• the date of the translation
• confirmation that it is an accurate translation of the document
• the full name and signature of the translator or an official from the translation company
• the translator or translation company's contact details; and
• if you are applying for your Student visa from the UK, certification by a qualified translator and details of the translator or translation company's credentials.