Before you start your course

How will my English be assessed?

In most cases you can provide a Secure English Language Test (SELT). A SELT is a list of UKVI approved English tests that can be used as evidence of your English language ability. Check the UKVI list of acceptable tests to see what test you can take and the scores you need for each level.

You must provide a SELT from the approved list to study a course below RQF level 6. For courses at RQF level 6 and above the University can make its own assessment of your ability. This could be an alternative test or a reference letter from a previous university. The Admissions officer dealing with your application will inform you of what documents they may want to see.

Students need to show that they have a certain level of English language ability in order to obtain a Student visa. The level of English required and how this is assessed is based on what course you will be studying. Please refer to the specific study level: Undergraduate guidance website, Postgraduate guidance website or the Postgraduate Research website.

What if I am from an English-speaking country?

You automatically meet the English language requirement if you are a national of one of the countries listed on the Student Visa Government page.

If you have earned an academic qualification equivalent to a UK Bachelors, Masters or PhD in one of the above countries (except Canada) or United Kingdom, you will also meet the English language requirement. For qualifications from outside the UK you must also provide original evidence from UK NARIC that proves the qualification is equivalent to its UK counterpart. A statement of comparability can be applied for on the UK NARIC website.

What if I have studied in the UK before?

If you proved your English language ability in a previous visa application, then you will be exempt from the requirement to do so again. Please note this is a visa concession and our Admissions team may still require evidence for our academic records.

Will UKVI test my English language ability?

As part of your application to study in the UK, you may be required to attend a credibility interview. During the interview the Entry Clearance officer will be checking your ability to converse in English. Make sure that you raise any technical issues if you have trouble hearing them during the interview.

Furthermore, officers at the UK border when you arrive could also test your English skills with basic questions about your purpose in the UK. Your application or entry in the UK can be refused at anytime for suspicion of not having the required level of English.

You will need to take a TB test if you are coming to the UK for more than six months and are resident in a listed country. You can only take a test approved by UKVI, as listed in the link.

If you don’t have TB then you will be given a certificate as proof which is valid for six months. This will need to be submitted with your visa application and valid at the point of submission.

When will I not need a TB test certificate?

You won’t need to take a TB test if:

• You’re a diplomat accredited to the UK
• You’re a UK resident returning to from overseas and haven’t been away for more than two years
• You have lived in a country for at least six months where a TB test is not required, and you’ve been away from that country for no more than six months

For more information on Tuberculosis testing, visit our page on Medical Information.

Certain courses at postgraduate level require an Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) clearance certificate before you will be granted a student visa. The ATAS certificate is issued by the UK’s Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO), which gives you the clearance to study certain subject areas that could be used to aid in the development of weapons of mass destruction (such as science, medicine, and engineering).

Will I need an ATAS certificate?

If you a national of an EU country, the European Economic Area (EEA), Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, Singapore, South Korea, Switzerland, or the United States of America, or you have Indefinite Leave to Remain in the UK, you will not need an ATAS certificate.

All other applicants will require one if studying one of the following taught Master’s programmes:

• MSc Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering
• For Research students, it depends on your field of research. The Research Office will inform you if you need an ATAS certificate

When do I need to apply?

You should apply as soon as possible. You must provide your ATAS certificate with your student visa application, so you will not be given a CAS until you can provide the certificate to the university. Student visa applications submitted without an ATAS certificate where one is required are likely to be refused. ATAS certificates are valid for six months and should be used in a visa application within that timeframe.

How do I apply?

You need to complete an online application form through the ATAS website. There is no fee to pay, and you do not need to submit any supporting documents. The application will just ask for your personal details, details of any previous study or employment and an outline of your proposed research or study modules.

What if I change my course or need to extend my visa?

You will need to apply for a new ATAS certificate if you are extending your visa to continue studying a course that requires one. If you are changing your course and the new course requires an ATAS certificate you will also need to apply. As before, you need the certificate before you can apply for the visa.

If you wish to study a full-time course for more than six months you will need a student visa. Please read the information on this webpage to familiarise yourself with student visa rules and regulations. It is recommended that you familiarise yourself with the guidance on the government website in relation to student visas. 

How do I Apply For A Student Visa From Outside the UK?

You can apply for a student visa by following the government website. Please observe the processing times for your application, as you will need to ensure that you arrive in the UK in line with your CAS. Allow for time to enrol and get acclimatised before your studies. You can only apply for your visa at least 6 months before your course starts. Your visa outcome decision is usually made within 3 weeks.

Applying from inside the UK

You can only apply 3 months before your studies begin.

Please ensure that you apply before your current visa expires. Your new program must begin within 28 days of your current visa expiring. Please see information below about academic progression.

Academic progression applies to Student visa applications submitted within the UK. This means that you will not be subject to the requirements if you are making an application from your home country. However, UKVI may still look at your application with additional detail and require you to attend an interview. We may not be able to offer you a place if we feel that your application may be refused on these grounds.

For more information on the latest requirements to apply for an extension to your student visa whilst you are within the UK, please follow the government's advice on extending your visa, which can be found on their webpage. 

Decisions are usually made within 8 weeks.

My Course Is Less Than 6 months in Length/An English Language Course Less Than 11 months. Do I Need A Student Visa?

If you are studying a course that is less than six months in length or an English language course that is less than 11 months long, you can apply for a short-term visa.

If you hold entry clearance or leave to remain in another visa category you may still be able to study. Please use the Student Hub booking form if you would like to speak to one of our visa advisors about your current visa. 

Can I Bring My Dependents with Me on my Student Visa?

You may be able to bring your dependents with you if you are:

• A full-time student on a postgraduate level course (RQF level 7 or above) that is for the duration of 9 months or longer

OR

• A government-sponsored student starting a course that is longer than 6 months

If your postgraduate level course commences on or after 1 January 2024, it must be either:

• A PhD or other doctorate (RQF level 8)
• A research-based higher degree

For more information on bringing dependents to the UK on your student visa, please see the government's advice on their webpage,

A dependant is one of the following:

• Your husband, wife, or civil partner
• Your unmarried partner
• Your children (aged under 18, or over 18 but already in the UK as a dependant and need to extend their visa with you)

Maintenance funds for your dependants

For each dependant, you will need to show that you have enough funds available to support their living costs in the UK. This is in addition to the funds you must show for yourself.

For more information on maintenance funds for your dependants, you can access the UKCISA's dependants information.

How Long Can You Stay?

The amount of time issued for your stay depends on the duration of your course.

When can you travel to the UK?

It is important that you arrive in the UK in line with your visa issuance date. Please ensure that you do not travel too early or too late. Do not travel to the UK before the start date given on your visa, regardless of when your course starts. If your course duration is 6 months or less, you can arrive up to 1 week before the start of the course. If your course duration is more than 6 months, you can arrive in the UK up to 1 month before the start of the course.

e-Gates now open for students

If you are from Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, Singapore, South Korea, or the USA, you are now able to use the e-Gates found at UK airports. This allows for quicker entry to the UK as the e-Gates simply scan your face and your passport to allow entry. You must possess a passport with the biometric symbol in order to use gates. Please note that if you are visiting the UK as a short-term student, you cannot use the e-Gates. This is because you will need to see a border office to get your passport stamped in order to be allowed to study. UKVI have provided this request for passport stamp for students to show to a Border Officer if required.

Making your own way to Derby

We're in the centre of the country, which means it's easy to get here by road, rail and air:

• 90 minutes from London and Manchester or 35 minutes from Birmingham by train
• Close to the M1 and M6 motorways and within easy reach of East Midlands airport

Take a look at our information on how best to reach the University's Derby campus if you are travelling independently. Remember to check where your course is based.

Travelling To Derby

For any student arriving at London Heathrow Airport, Birmingham Airport and Manchester Airport, the university provides a voucher for a free coach transfer.

From East Midlands Airport

• East Midlands Airport is the closest airport to Derby, making it easy to reach the city 
• There are regular direct flights to East Midlands Airport from all over Europe
• From the airport, you can catch the Skylink bus from the airport directly to Derby city centre
• You can then take a taxi to your accommodation

From Birmingham Airport

• Birmingham Airport is also convenient for travelling to Derby
• From the airport, take the train to Derby - you may have to change at Birmingham New Street. When you get to Derby, you can take a taxi from Derby station directly to your accommodation
• By coach: There are regular National Express airport coach services to Derby, you will have to make a change during your journey
• You can then take a taxi from Derby Coach Station to your accommodation

From London Heathrow Airport

• By train: Take the London Underground, Piccadilly Line train, eastbound to St Pancras.  From St Pancras, you can get the train to Derby.
• When you get to Derby, you can take a taxi from Derby station directly to your accommodation
• By coach: There are regular National Express airport coach services to Derby, you will have to make a change during your journey
• You can then take a taxi from Derby Coach Station to your accommodation

From Manchester Airport

• There are a number of rail routes you can use from Manchester Airport to Derby, depending on the time of day
• You may have to travel via another station, depending on the time you arrive
• When you get to Derby you can take a taxi from Derby station directly to your accommodation
• By coach: There are regular National Express airport coach services to Derby, you will have to make a change during your journey
• You can then take a taxi from Derby Coach Station to your accommodation

By car

If you're planning to travel to Derby by car, the details of our halls of residence can be found on the accommodation page.

You will need a car parking permit to park your car at our halls of residence, so make sure you've completed the Car Parking Permit Application Form that we will email to you with your offer of a room.

There is no car parking on our Derby Campus.

Some of this information may change, so we recommend that you check the details for your journey yourself to avoid any errors.  

By train

All airports are very well connected by rail and tickets to Derby are easy to find. This is a medium-priced option. 

By bus

We have National Express and Megabus busses which run throughout the UK, and you can pre-book a ticket online. This could be one of the cheapest options, however there are no direct routes from major airports to Derby.  

By taxi

You can pre-book a private taxi which will be a door-to-door service. Although this is the fastest option, this is also the most expensive option. For example, a taxi could be approximately £300 one way from Heathrow to Derby.​

Derby Bus Station

The bus station is located on Morledge, Derby. There are 24 bays for local bus services and five coach bays. National Express and some holiday tour companies use the station as well.

Derby Train Station

Derby has direct rail services to a large number of destinations including London, Birmingham, Sheffield, Newcastle and Cardiff.

The best way to plan your journey by train to Derby is to visit the city's travel information website Connected. You can also use the Eurostar or ferry to reach Derby, however you will need to change trains and buses.

Arriving at your halls out of hours

If you are arriving in Derby before 09:00 or after 17:00 please call the halls team to let them know in advance. You can find the contact numbers for your specific hall on the relevant webpage.

Your Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) is a very important document that is evidence of your Right to Study, Right to Enter and Right to Remain in the UK. If you have been granted a Student visa and your course is over 6 months long, you will be issued with a BRP. Your BRP will be delivered to the address you specified on your visa application form and will be stated on your UKVI Decision Letter issued to you.

Does the University of Derby have an Alternative Collection Location (ACL) code for the collection of BRP?

The University does not currently have an ACL code, however, you can choose the Post Office to collect your Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) when you arrive. Please make sure that you have entered the postcode of the University of Derby, Kedleston Road campus (DE22 1GB) and selected the closest Post Office when applying online for your Student visa.

Why does my BRP have an end date of the 31st of December 2024? My course is longer

After the 31st of December 2024, there will be a digital migration of BRPs. So, you will be able to prove your immigration status online. The government website has more information surrounding BRP expiry date.

I notice another error on my BRP, how do I get this fixed?

You must report the error immediately to UKVI. You have to complete the online form on the government's website. Once UKVI send you an email acknowledging and confirming the error, the BRP will need to be posted to them in order for a new one to be created.

What should I do if I lose my BRP or it is stolen?

First of all, you need to be absolutely certain that you cannot find your BRP. Try and retrace your steps over the previous few days and search everywhere in your accommodation or classroom. If you cannot locate it then it will need to be reported and you will have to apply for a replacement.

I am certain that it is lost/stolen, what should I do next?

You will need to report the loss to the local police station. This will be the police station in the town or city that you believe you lost it. If possible, ask for a report reference number from the police.

Afterwards, you need to report the loss to UKVI within three months of losing your BRP. You may report the loss and find information such as the replacement fee and documents required on the government's website. 

What if I lose my BRP outside of the UK?

As before, you will need to report it to the local police station and UKVI.

You will then need to apply for a temporary visa which allows you re-enter the UK. You may submit the application and find the information such as application fee from the government's website. After completing your personal details, you should fill in the beginning of the application as follows:

• Reason for visit: Other
• Visa type: Other
• Visa sub type: Replacement Biometric Residence Permit
• Once you arrive back in the UK, you must apply for a replacement BRP as detailed above within three months

What happens if I find my BRP After Reporting It as Missing?

Once your BRP is reported as lost, this BRP is no longer valid.

You cannot have more than one BRP at a time. If you do, you should cut your old BRP into pieces and post it to the Home Office at the following address:

Students on a student visa

You will need to enrol for your course on time when appropriate, including re-enrolment for additional studies.

Listed below are the conditions attached to your Student visa. You must follow these conditions as failure to do so could lead to withdrawal from the course and the cancellation of your visa.

To enrol on your course you must provide the following documents as evidence of your right to study in the UK:

• The front and back of your biometric residence permit (BRP)
• Your passport
• Any current or previous UK-issued visas (called a vignette) stamped inside your passport

Evidence that you have submitted a visa application (such as the online Document Checklist).

For students with Settled or Pre-Settled Status under the EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS), please see the information below for alternative guidance

To enrol on your course you must provide the following as evidence of your right to study in the UK:

• Provide us with a code to verify your EUSS status
• The photo page of your passport

EU Citizens on a student visa

To enrol on your course you must provide the following as evidence of your right to study in the UK:

• Provide us with a share code - generate one for ‘Something Else’ 
• The photo page of your passport
• Boarding pass

Irish Citizens

• Irish citizens will need to show the information page on the passport

If you have any questions regarding the EUSS, or anything else related to your visa status and how it affects your studies, please email visa@derby.ac.uk.

I Have Completed My Enrolment (physical document check) On Campus, What Should I Do Next?

In addition to completing your right to study check you must also: 

• Attend all classes and any other academic engagements, notifying your tutors/supervisors if you are going to be absent
• Make satisfactory academic progress on your course, meeting all scheduled deadlines
• Seek permission if you require authorised absence for a short-period due to personal reasons
• Ensure that your contact details with the University of Derby and UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) are up to date. You can access the online UKVI form to update your details
• Contact visa@derby.ac.uk if there are changes in your course status. For example, if you will be withdrawing, deferring your studies or changing course. This does not apply to those who do not possess a Student visa
• Ensure that you do not overstay your visa and where necessary, submit a new visa application before your current visa expires if you are eligible to do so

For any further questions please access our dedicated page for Visa Conditions Immigration Conditions.