Sponsoring Students

Capital School of English has been licensed by the UK Border Agency to enrol international students under Tier 4 of the Points Based System’ as a Highly Trusted Sponsor (UK Border Agency Licence Number VQG0CXXRX). For further information please click on this link
http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/employers/points/quick-guides-pbs/sponsoringstudents/

Since 22 February 2010 potential students must be in possession of a CAS number from their prospective Tier 4 sponsor in support of their application for leave

  • Any application submitted on or after 22 February 2010 that does not contain a supporting CAS number will be refused.

See also

The points-based assessment
To be able to travel to the United Kingdom as a general student, or if you are already here and want to apply to extend your permission to stay, you must pass a points-based assessment and score 40 points. You will get:

  • 30 points for a visa letter from a licensed sponsor; and
  • 10 points if you can show (and have documents to prove as needed) you have enough money for your course fees and monthly living expenses (known as maintenance)

If you are applying from inside the United Kingdom, the visa letter will be replaced by a confirmation of acceptance for studies when the first phase of the new IT system for sponsors goes live.
If you are coming to the United Kingdom for less than six months to study, you may want to apply as a student visitor.
What are the acceptable levels of courses that a general student can get a visa letter for?


English language courses
You can get a visa letter below the standard level needed if the course is an English Language course only. The minimum level of study for students coming to the United Kingdom to study English Language courses is set at Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) Level A2. English language courses offered must finish with an independent, recognised assessment at this level or above.


Higher education course
You can get a visa letter if you are enrolled on a higher education course at an overseas higher education institution, to allow you to do a short-term study abroad programme in the United Kingdom as part of your qualification. The visa letter should only be issued if you are studying for overseas qualification that has been validated as being equivalent to United Kingdom degree level by UK NARIC. You can find the UK NARIC website here www.naric.org.uk


Pre-sessional courses
A pre-sessional course is:

  • An intensive English language course; or
  • A course to prepare you for your full-time study course

To get permission to do a pre-sessional course, you must pass a points-based assessment and score 40 points before you come. You will get:

  • 30 points for a visa letter from a licensed sponsor; and

If you have an unconditional offer, we will give permission for both courses at the same time if you are doing the pre-sessional course:

  • With the same sponsor as your full-time course; or
  • With a partner institution included on your main institution's sponsor license

If you only have a conditional offer to do your full-time course, you will need to apply to do the pre-sessional course first. If you successfully finish that course, you should apply for an extension while inside the United Kingdom to continue your studies on your full-time course.