What Is a CAS and How Do You Get One for the UK?

What Exactly Is a CAS?

CAS stands for Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies. It is a 14-character reference code your UK university (called your “sponsor” in immigration terms) assigns to you in the UKVI (UK Visas and Immigration) computer system.

The CAS exists because the UK’s student visa is a points-based system. To get 70 points and be granted a Student visa, you need:

• 50 points from your place of study — confirmed by a valid CAS from a licensed sponsor.
• 10 points for finances — you must prove you hold the required maintenance funds.
• 10 points for English language — you must meet the university’s and UKVI’s English requirement.

The CAS supplies the 50 study-place points. Without those, the other 20 points are irrelevant — the application cannot succeed.

Source: gov.uk/guidance/immigration-rules/immigration-rules-appendix-student

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Who Can Issue a CAS?

Only a UKVI-licensed student sponsor can assign a CAS. The Home Office maintains the Register of Licensed Sponsors — a searchable list of all UK institutions currently authorised to bring in international students.

If a UK institution is NOT on that register, it cannot issue a CAS, and you cannot get a Student visa to study there. Before you apply anywhere, search the register. This is a five-minute check that saves enormous problems later.

Nearly all established UK universities are on the register. Problems typically arise with:
– Smaller private colleges or language schools that have had sponsorship licences revoked.
– Newly established institutions that have not yet obtained a licence.

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What Does a CAS Contain?

When your university assigns your CAS, it includes details about you and your course. These are pre-populated by the university from information you provided during your application. Key items include:

• Your full name, date of birth, and nationality.
• The name and address of the sponsoring institution.
• The course name, level, and start and end dates.
• The total course fee and whether the university confirms you have already met the academic entry requirements.
• Your English language assessment — either the test result already submitted to the university, or a statement that the university has assessed your English directly.

You will need to enter the 14-character CAS reference number in your online visa application form. UKVI then pulls the details electronically from the sponsor’s system. Always check that what the university has entered matches your actual enrolment details — especially course name, start date, and tuition fee — before you submit your visa application.

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Step by Step: From Offer to Visa

Step 1 — Apply to a licensed sponsor and receive an offer

For undergraduate study, most African students apply through UCAS (ucas.com) for up to five course choices. For postgraduate study, you apply directly to each university. Either way, the process ends with an offer letter — conditional or unconditional.

Step 2 — Satisfy all conditions and make it unconditional

Common conditions include providing final exam results, an IELTS or equivalent English test, or payment of a deposit. The university cannot issue a CAS until your offer is unconditional and all pre-enrolment requirements are met.

Step 3 — Receive your CAS

Once the university is satisfied, it assigns your CAS and sends you the 14-character reference number — usually by email, sometimes via your university applicant portal. There may also be a CAS statement document accompanying it.

Step 4 — Gather your visa documents

In addition to the CAS, you will need:

• Evidence of funds: £1,529 per month for London study (up to 9 months maximum = £13,761) or £1,171 per month outside London (up to 9 months = £10,539), held for 28 consecutive days ending no more than 31 days before you apply, plus the first year’s tuition fees. These figures are from gov.uk/student-visa/money as of June 2026; they are volatile — re-check before applying.
• Passport (valid for longer than your intended course).
• Proof of English language proficiency (IELTS, TOEFL, PTE Academic, or university MOI waiver, depending on your university’s policy).
• TB test certificate if your home country requires one for UK visa applicants (see our TB test guide).

Step 5 — Apply online and pay fees

You apply for the Student visa online through a UKVI account at gov.uk. The application fee is £558 (as of June 2026 — check gov.uk/student-visa for current rate). You also pay the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) upfront for the full visa length: £776 per year at the student rate (source: gov.uk/healthcare-immigration-application/how-much-pay).

For a 3-year course, the IHS alone is £2,328 upfront.

Step 6 — Biometrics and identity verification

You will need to prove your identity either at a VFS Global visa application centre in your country (VFS replaced TLScontact as the UK’s VAC operator in November 2024) or using the ‘UK Immigration: ID Check’ app on a compatible smartphone. Your university’s international office can advise on which option is available in your country.

Step 7 — Decision

A decision from outside the UK typically takes around 3 weeks from submitting your biometrics. During this period, do not book non-refundable travel.

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Costs at a Glance

Item	Amount	Notes
UK student visa application	£558	Paid online at application
Immigration Health Surcharge	£776/year	Paid upfront for whole visa; e.g. £2,328 for 3 years
Maintenance to prove — London	£1,529/month (max £13,761 / 9 months)	Must be held 28 consecutive days
Maintenance to prove — outside London	£1,171/month (max £10,539 / 9 months)	Same 28-day rule
Plus first year’s tuition	Set on your CAS	Varies widely: typically £20,000–45,000/yr internationally

All figures from gov.uk as of June 2026. Fees are subject to change — always re-check the official gov.uk pages before paying.

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What If Your CAS Is Delayed?

This is common during peak admission periods (especially July–September for October starters). If your CAS is delayed:

• Contact your university’s international admissions team directly — they manage CAS assignment.
• Ask for a specific expected date, not just “soon”.
• Do not apply for your visa without the CAS — the application will be invalid.
• Be aware that your visa must typically arrive before your course starts. UKVI states a decision takes around 3 weeks from biometrics; factor this into your timeline.

If you are cutting it close, ask the university whether an earlier course start date exists or whether deferred entry is possible.

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A Note on African Qualifications and the CAS

Your CAS states whether the university has confirmed your academic entry requirements are met. For many African qualifications — WASSCE (Nigeria, Ghana), KCSE (Kenya), NSC (South Africa), ZIMSEC A-levels (Zimbabwe) — this is assessed by the university directly. Some institutions use UK ENIC (formerly UK NARIC) for a Statement of Comparability, but this is optional and the university’s own judgment usually suffices.

The CAS itself does not include a transcript or certificate — those documents go directly to the university during your application. But the university’s confirmation on the CAS that requirements are met is what UKVI relies on.

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How World Study Helps

World Study Africa supports African students through every stage of the UK application — from course selection to CAS receipt to visa submission. Our core advisory service is free to you; we are compensated by universities when you enrol. For students who need hands-on help with documentation and the visa application itself, we offer a paid visa support package.

Review our complete UK student visa guide for maintenance, TB test, and work rights details, or check your eligibility to see which UK universities are realistic options for your profile. Questions? Reach us on WhatsApp.

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