International Students: change of circumstances after registration

Changing mode of study from full-time to part-time

Students studying on Student Visas at the University of London are not permitted to change mode of study from full-time to part-time. This is because the University only offers Student Visa sponsorship for full-time courses. If you wish to change to a part-time course at another institution, you will need to contact your new education provider for advice on whether they offer part-time Student Visa Sponsorship.

Transferring to a different university

If you would like to transfer to another university, you will have to withdraw from your current programme of study. You will not be able to use your current Student Visa sponsored by the University of London to study at another university. You will have to obtain a new CAS from your new Student Visa Sponsor for the course you are transferring to. Depending on the programme of study, you may have to meet academic progression regulations to re-apply for a new student visa from inside the UK. Your new visa sponsor will be responsible for advising you through the application process.

Once you are ready to submit your new visa application, you will need to submit the withdrawal request via the student portal. Once your withdrawal request has been processed, we will report to the UK Visas and Immigration that we are no longer sponsoring you for a student visa. 

Change of delivery from On Campus to Distance Learning (MPhil leading to PhD students only)

If your circumstances change and you need to change the mode of delivery from on-campus to distance learning, you can do so with the approval of the institute and head of registry. We will notify the UK Visas and Immigration of the changes to your programme and withdraw your student visa sponsorship. This notification will be submitted seven calendar days after your request to change the mode of delivery has been approved. Students whose visa sponsorship is stopped are advised to leave the UK.

Interrupting and resuming your studies

Interruptions of 60 calendar days or less

If your circumstances change and you need to suspend your studies for less than 60 days, the School may be able to approve a one-time interruption of up to 60 calendar days, provided you are able to still finish your programme of study on time. Students in the MA, MRes and LLM programmes may not be able to use this option due to the limited time available and class schedules. If you are approved for an interruption of up to 60 calendar days by the School, your student visa status will not be affected. 

Interruptions for more than 60 calendar days

If you wish to interrupt your studies for more than 60 calendar days and up to 12 months, you are required to submit an interruption request. Following the approval of your interruption request, your student visa sponsorship will be withdrawn, and we will report this to the UK Visas and Immigration within seven calendar days. You will be advised to leave the UK and contact us up to six months before, but no less than two months before you are due to return to your studies to obtain a new CAS from the University for a new Student Visa application. Your new CAS will state you are returning after interruption and the duration of your course stated on the CAS will cover the remaining duration of your programme.  

Withdrawal or De-registration from your course

If your registration is withdrawn, voluntarily or by the School, through the de-registration process, your student visa sponsorship will be withdrawn. 

Seven calendar days after your de-registration has been processed, we will submit a report to the UK Visas and Immigration to inform them you are no longer studying and your student visa sponsorship is being withdrawn. You will be advised to leave the country or submit a new application for further leave to remain. 

Finishing your programme early

The University is required to report an early completion to the UK Visas and Immigration. Following your early completion, we will submit a report to the UKVI within 10 working days, informing them that you have completed your course earlier than stated on your CAS. 

The UKVI may or may not curtail your visa and will inform you of their decision via mail/email. 

What happens after my student visa sponsorship is reported on?

In all cases where sponsorship is withdrawn, the UKVI will decide the best course of action. In most cases they will curtail the visa. Curtailment usually brings the end date forward to 60 days from the date they curtail it. Your curtailment notification will provide you all the relevant information and we are not able to assist you with any disputes between yourself and the UKVI in regard to your new student visa end date.  

Once your student visa sponsorship is withdrawn, it is your responsibility to ensure you are not in breach of any of the UK’s immigration laws.

Graduate Route Visa application after early completion

If you have completed your studies early and you are planning on applying for the Graduate Route Visa, please confirm with admissions if your successful completion has been reported prior to submitting your visa application. 

Only once your successful completion has been reported to the UKVI should you proceed to make your new visa application for the Graduate Visa. 

You do not have to wait for the UKVI to inform you of what they wish to do with your current student visa.