UK Immigration rules and guidance

Student route

The Student route applies to students wishing to study for more than 6 months in the UK and includes rules for Student Dependants. The University of Essex is a Student Sponsor with a track record of compliance.

• Home Office information - Study in the UK
• Student and Child Student casework guidance for students and UKVI caseworkers
• Immigration Rules Appendix ST: Student
• Appendix Finance and Financial evidence for Student route applicants
• Assessing English language requirement for UKVI caseworkers
• ATAS Guidance and Appendix ATAS

Home Office guidance for EEA/Swiss nationals about the UK’s points-based immigration system.

Guidance for sponsors

• Student sponsor guidance
• Appendix D – keeping documents
• Other sponsor guidance including list of licensed sponsors

Visitor route

The Standard Visitor route allows some study of up to 6 months duration.

• Home Office information about Standard Visitor visas and a guide to supporting documents
• Immigration Rules Appendix V: Visitor
• ATAS Guidance and Appendix ATAS

Visa National list

• Appendix Visitor

ATAS (Academic Technology Approval Scheme)

Some Essex PhD students require ATAS clearance from the Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office before they can study. Nationals from certain countries are exempt from ATAS.

• ATAS Guidance and Appendix ATAS

Visa and Immigration Guidance for Home Office Staff

• Guidance issued by the Home Office for staff

UK Government COVID-19 Concessions and Guidance

Guidance for Student sponsors, migrants and short-term students about temporary concessions. These are to be read alongside the Immigration Rules and Guidance. Read the UKCISA guidance for further information about the COVID-19 immigration concessions.