Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS)

What is a CAS?

A Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) is a virtual document that is required to apply for a Student Visa to study in the United Kingdom. It contains information about your course of study and personal details. A CAS will only be issued if you have an unconditional offer from the University or you are an existing student who needs to extend their visa.

Do I need a CAS?

If you are an international applicant or require a Student Visa, and hold an offer, you may need to obtain a CAS in order to make a visa application to study with us.

Please note not all applicants will require a Student Visa to study with us in York therefore we recommend that you check if this applies to you before requesting a CAS. Find out whether you will need a Student Visa.

As part of the Student Visa process you may also be required to supply evidence of an Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) Certificate. Please note if an ATAS is required for entry this will be noted on your offer letter.

How do I request a CAS?

New students: If you require a Student Visa to study in the UK, please consult the 'Student Visa' section of You@York for further instructions. You will need to follow the request task and upload your passport details. The task includes answering a few basic questions and confirming that you have read the conditions of sponsorship.

Important information: undergraduate studies only

There is a maximum time limit ("cap") on studying at undergraduate level with a Student Visa. The CAS request task will ask you if you have previously studied in the UK in order for the University to make an assessment of the total time you have previously studied, to ensure you will have enough time remaining to complete your programme of study.

Following your request for a CAS, you may be required to provide further information in order for an assessment to be made. A CAS will not be issued until the assessment has been completed, and any delay may affect your visa application.

Please note you do not need to pay a deposit if you are a new undergraduate student.

What to expect when applying for your CAS

Please note the University aims to start assessing and issuing CAS documents for Autumn starters from 6 June 2022.

Up to six months before programme start date

You can apply for a CAS through the CAS request task in your You@York applicant portal. Before you apply you must have received and accepted an offer for your chosen programme at the University of York.

Please note:

You can apply in advance - even if you still have conditions to meet on your offer.
You will have the option of paying your tuition fee deposit. See 'Will I need to pay a deposit?' for further information. In most cases, all academic conditions will need to be met and a tuition fee deposit paid before a CAS can be issued.

Within 10 working days of applying for a CAS

Within 10 working days of you applying for a CAS, meeting all conditions and paying your deposit we will assess your CAS request and in most cases issue your CAS. Where we need more information from you, we will contact you by email. This may mean that it takes longer than 10 working days but we will always aim to issue your CAS as soon as we can. If you have paid your tuition fee deposit please wait 10 working days before contacting us for an update on the status of your CAS.

Please note you do not need to pay a deposit if you are a new undergraduate or postgraduate research student.

Do not make any non-refundable travel or visa appointment arrangements until you have received your CAS.

Frequently Asked Questions

Please read our frequently asked questions from our previous applicants for further guidance.

My passport expires before I am due to complete my course, do I need to renew it?

No, your passport only needs to be in date at the time the CAS is issued and when you first arrive in the UK.

I have got a new passport since receiving my CAS, do I need a new CAS?

Yes, the passport on your CAS will need to match the one you make a visa application or arrive in the UK with.

I have accents in my name, will these appear on my CAS?

Quite frequently the database does not enable accents to be shown as part of the CAS so we may need to amend the name to allow for this to go through.

I have one name, how will this be shown on my CAS and Visa Application?

In order for us to issue a CAS in line with the UKVI we will enter your name into the surname field and a full stop in the first name field.

I have paid fees and accommodation in advance, do I need to get my CAS updated?

Your CAS will pull in any tuition fees and University of York owned accommodation fees that have been paid up to the point of CAS issuance. If you pay any extra after your CAS is issued but before your visa appointment, we will update your CAS accordingly - you do not need to contact us separately to request this. Please note there may be a short delay between you making the payment and your CAS being updated so please wait a few days before checking.

Why is my Scholarship/Sponsorship not listed on my CAS?

CAS do not include financial Scholarships/Sponsorships information. Please ensure that you take your financial award certificates and letters with you to your visa appointment.

Why is my CAS length 4 years when I am studying for a 3 year PhD programme?

Your CAS will list the maximum amount of time available for you to complete your programme. This usually includes the additional optional write up year for your thesis.

I provided an English Language test result (eg IELTS), why hasn't this information been added to the 'English Language Qualification' section?

We only record information in this section for UKVI IELTS. A non-UKVI test will be recorded in the Documentation Evidence section of your CAS.

I have had a previous visa refusal or immigration ban, can I still request a CAS?

Yes. When you are requesting your CAS in the 'Student Visa' section of You@York you will be asked to declare whether you have had a previous visa refusal or immigration ban. You will also need to email any visa refusal/immigration information (for example, a letter issued by the Home Office) to Undergraduate Admissions - ug-admissions@york.ac.uk or Postgraduate Admissions - pg-admissions@york.ac.uk. The relevant admissions team will then assess further and establish whether a CAS can be issued.

I have a different question, which team can help me?

We have a variety of teams that help to issue CAS for those looking to join us at the University of York. Please see the list below for the best team to contact:

Postgraduate taught and research applicants Visiting student applicants Hull York Medical School (HYMS) - Postgraduate applicants based at York	Postgraduate Admissions - pg-admissions@york.ac.uk
Undergraduate applicants PGCE applicants MA in Social Work (UCAS) applicants Hull York Medical School (HYMS) - Undergraduate applicants based at York	Undergraduate Admissions - ug-admissions@york.ac.uk
All current/enrolled York students Pre-sessional English - On campus applicants International Pathway College (IPC) - Applicants for international foundation year and pre-masters programmes Current student visa extensions	Visa Compliance - student-visa@york.ac.uk
Hull York Medical School (HYMS) - Undergraduate and Postgraduate applicants based at Hull Campus	Hull York Medical School (HYMS) - CAS@hull.ac.uk

If you require further guidance on obtaining a Student Visa please complete the University of York International Student Support Self-Referral Form.