Right to Study Checks

What is the ‘right to study’?

The ‘right to study’ means you have the permission to remain in the UK and this permission does not restrict you from studying in the UK, or more specifically, at Aberystwyth University.

Why do we need to check right to study?

Aberystwyth University holds a Student Sponsor Licence which gives us permission to admit international students on UK student visas.

We are required by the Home Office to ensure that every student (including UK nationals) studying at the University has the right to study in the UK throughout the whole period of their study. Failure to do so is a breach of our duties as a Student Visa Sponsor and can result in action against us or the revocation of our Student Sponsor Licence.

Who needs a right to study check?

Anyone who wants to register to study a course of any length at Aberystwyth University.

Students who are already registered for a course at Aberystwyth University will be required to show further right to study documents if their existing leave to remain is due to expire.

How do we know that you have the right to study?

If you have a valid UK/Irish passport you have the right to study in the UK. You will have to provide evidence of your nationality before you can register for your course.

You have a visa or endorsement, or you may be entitled to remain in the UK because you are the family member of someone who has permission to remain in the UK.

If your immigration status is due to expire shortly after your course commences, or if you have a pending application which may mean we cannot determine if you have the right to study, you may wish to consider deferring your studies until your immigration status has been extended or granted.

How / when will you need to provide right to study documents?

UK/Irish nationals

You will be required to upload your right to study document/s in advance of arriving at Aberystwyth as part of the ‘Activate’ process. Shortly after you have activated your Aberystwyth University email account you will receive instructions about how to upload your document/s onto a secure upload page. 

Non-UK / Republic of Ireland nationals

If you have been issued a CAS and have a Student Visa you will be invited to attend an International Students Pre-Enrolment Check where you will be asked to provide a number of original documents.

If you have provided proof of your Pre-settled or Settled status under the EU settlement scheme during the application process you will not need to provide this again

Do I have to provide right to study documents?

Yes. You will not be allowed to register for your course until we have checked your right to study.

You must take responsibility for maintaining your right to study (immigration status) if your permission to stay in the UK is due to expire, or where your circumstances change which affects your immigration status.

The University will suspend or exclude any student who no longer has the right to study in the UK.

What documents / evidence must I provide?

The tables below provide examples of the most common immigration statuses and visas and outlines what documentation you would need to provide to demonstrate your right to study.

This is not an exhaustive list. If you have any queries about what documentation you should provide, or are having difficulty providing the required documentation, please email rtsstaff@aber.ac.uk for assistance.

British or EU/EEA/Swiss nationals

Nationality

Study restrictions

Documentation required

British or Irish citizen

No restrictions on study

UK / Republic of Ireland Passport

 

or

 

UK birth or adoption certificate issued in the UK / Channel Islands / Isle of Man or Ireland. 

 

or

 

Certificate of registration or naturalisation as a British citizen. 

 

or

 

UK right of abode certificate.

 

 

 

Non-UK/Republic of Ireland nationals

Immigration Category

Study restrictions

Documentation required

Student Sponsor – sponsored by Aberystwyth University (CMRTYMH23)

No restrictions on study as long as it is for study at Aberystwyth University for the course for which the CAS was assigned.

 

Supplementary study may also be permitted.

Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) with Sponsor Licence Number CMRTYMH23, issued for the duration of the course you are currently studying or enrolling onto

 

 or

 

Letter from UKVI which confirms your application for a UK visa has been successful and that your BRP will be available for collection – we will register you on the understanding that you will be expected to bring your BRP to us once it has been collected

 

or

 

Provide a sharecode from: View and prove your immigration status - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) so that your digital visa can be verified.

 

or

 

Proof of a new application submitted using a CAS issued by Aberystwyth University – you will need to show evidence that the application was made before your previous visa expired.

 

NOTE: You will be required to bring the following original documents to the International Students Pre-Enrolment Check:

 

  • Entry clearance letter (if applicable)
  • Current Passport and visa (BRP)(if applicable)
  • Original transcripts or degree certificated as mentioned on your CAS (if applicable)
  • Proof of English Language proficiency as mentioned on your CAS (if applicable)
  • ATAS certificate (if applicable)

 

EU Settlement Scheme

No restriction on study

Verification that settled or pre-settled status has been granted under the EU Settlement Scheme. If you have provided proof of your Pre-settled or Settled status under the EU settlement scheme during the application process you will not need to provide this again

Visit Visa

 No restriction on study for up to 6 months

Vignette (with date of entry stamp or other evidence of date of entry into the UK e.g. flight boarding pass)

 

or

 

Visit Visa Stamp in Passport

 

or

 

If using an e-gate at entry (specific countries) proof of flight/entry into UK (i.e. Ticket/boarding pass).

 

Short-term study visa

(English language courses only)

 No restriction on study for language courses of up to 11 months

Vignette (with date of entry stamp or other evidence of date of entry into the UK e.g. flight boarding pass)

 

And for courses over 6 months a BRP.

Points Based System

(Tier 1,2,5 visa

Skilled Worker etc.)

 No restrictions on study but, depending on your visa type, you may be expected to study part-time only

Biometric Residence Permit (BRP)

 

or

 

Vignette

 

or

 

Pending applications: we will need to see evidence of your previous immigration application, evidence that you submitted your application before your previous leave expired, and recent evidence that it is still pending

Points Based System Dependants

No restrictions on study

Biometric Residence Permit (BRP)

 

or

 

Vignette

 

or

 

Pending applications: we will need to see evidence of your previous immigration application, evidence that you submitted your application before your previous leave expired, and recent evidence that it is still pending

 
Spouse / Civil Partner / Unmarried Partner of a British citizen or a settled person

No restrictions on study

 

 

Biometric Residence Permit (BRP)

 

or

 

Pending applications: we will need to see evidence of your previous immigration application, evidence that you submitted your application before your previous leave expired, and recent evidence that it is still pending
Indefinite Leave to Remain/Permission to Stay or Permanent Residence

No restrictions on study

 

Status may be lost if you have been out of the UK for a continuous period of two years or more since Indefinite Leave to Remain was granted

Biometric Residence Permit (BRP)

 

or

 

Vignette

 

or

 

Stamp in passport

 

or

 

Letter confirming Indefinite Leave to Remain 

Asylum / Refugees / Discretionary leave / Humanitarian protection

No restrictions on study

 

Biometric Residence Permit (BRP)

 

or

 

Vignette

 

or

 

Immigration Status Document

 

or

 

Letter confirming you have been granted leave to remain

Asylum seekers

Study is usually not permitted unless you hold an Application Registration Card or you have been given permission to work and study on your Immigration Bail Notice

Application Registration Card (ARC)

 

Pending applications and appeals

If you have an application pending for any of the above immigration categories, or, if you have an outstanding appeal against a Home Office decision to refuse an application for any of the above immigration categories, the University might need to contact the Home Office for confirmation of your right to study before you are able to register for your course. We will ask for your consent before contacting the Home Office. This consent will allow them to share information about you and your immigration history / status.