Information for International Applicants

Introduction

Below are some links to general information and advice on applying to courses at The Royal Central School of Speech and Drama, University of London, as an overseas applicant.

Applicants applying from outside the UK will do so in the same way as UK-based students:

  • If applying for an undergraduate course, you should make your application through UCAS
  • If you are applying for a postgraduate course, you should make your application direct to Central via the application portal on the course web page.

If you read the information below but still have questions, please feel free to contact us:

Overseas Interviews/Auditions

Central will not be conducting in-person interviews or auditions overseas for 2024 entry.

Applicants who are based overseas, or who might struggle to get to Central in-person, are able to interview or audition online via Zoom.

You can let the Admissions Team know your preference by using the relevant Eventbrite booking link from your invitation email (note there will be separate links for online interviews/auditions).

Visas

Below you will find key information on visas for overseas offer-holders.

For more information on international student visas, visit our International Student Visas - Frequently Asked Questions page.

  • Who needs a Student Route Visa

    Offer-holders who don’t hold a British passport or settled/pre-settled status will be required to apply for a Student Route Visa before commencing study at Central.

    If you are already in the UK on another student visa, or different visa type, you will need to switch to a Student Route Visa before commencing study at Central – unless that visa permits study for the duration of your course.

    If you are based outside the UK, you will need to apply for a Student Route Visa before entering the UK to commence study at Central.

  • CAS numbers

    A CAS number is required in order to apply for a Student Route Visa.

    We will be in touch with overseas offer-holders over the summer months to ensure we have the correct details in order to generate a CAS number. We will typically generate and communicate a CAS number to an incoming student in July.

    You will need to have accepted your offer of a place, proved you have met requirements eg. English language requirements, and paid your deposit before a CAS number can be generated.

  • Visa application fees

    Visa application fees are paid to the UK government, and vary depending on whether you are applying from inside or outside the UK.

    At the time of writing, application fees are set at:

    • £490 to apply for a new visa from outside the UK;
    • £490 to extend or switch to this visa from inside the UK.

    The UK government has recently announced significant changes to application fees - please ensure to check the UK government website for the latest information before applying.

  • Immigration Health Surcharge

    Payment of the Immigration Health Surcharge forms part of your online visa application.

    From 6 February 2024, the UK government increased the cost of the Immigration Health Surcharge for students to £776 per year. This is both for entry clearance or permission to remain for applicants aged 18 years or over at the date of application.

    Total fees depend on factors such as your individual circumstances, and the length of your course, as you must pay for each year of study.

    Check the UK government website for the latest information.

  • EU / EEA / Swiss nationals

    EU/EEA/Swiss nationals without settled or pre-settled status who arrived in the UK after 1 January 2021 are required to apply for a Student Route Visa prior to commencing study at Central - and are subject to all associated requirements, eg. proof of level of English.

  • Visa Refusals

    Please ensure you read all requirements and supply requested documents during your visa application. Some of the most common reasons for refusal include not supplying sufficient evidence, or the right type of evidence to demonstrate meeting, eg. the Financial Requirement.

Requirements for entry

Offer-holders hoping to enter the UK on a Student Route Visa have to satisfy certain requirements - on top of any academic conditions of their offer.

  • Qualification requirements

    All students registering at The Royal Central School of Speech and Drama are required to provide evidence of their highest-level qualifications on entry.

    For overseas students applying within the UK it can be required to demonstrate progression, eg. moving from level 6 to level 7 qualification (Bachelors to Masters level) on the Framework for Higher Education Qualifications (FHEQ).

    Qualification certificates or transcripts not in English should be accompanied by a certified translation.

  • English language requirements

    Please see our English language requirements page for requirements in order to study at Central.

  • Financial requirements

    Guidance on the financial requirement and how to prove you meet it – including the difference when applying from outside vs inside the UK – is available on the UK government website.

  • Vaccination requirements

    Coronavirus tests and vaccines are no longer required for entry to the UK, however it is highly recommended that you get a COVID-19 vaccine before arriving at Central, as well as vaccines for:

    • Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR)
    • Meningococcal ACWY

    Please note TB (tuberculosis) test requirements when entering the UK from certain countries.

Changing circumstances

What international applicants and current students should be aware of if circumstances change, such as taking a break in studies.

  • Changing course

    To transfer from one programme to another at the same level, you will need to apply for a new Student Route Visa, which you may need to leave the country to do.

    If you started on a BA programme and wish to progress to an MA, you will need to submit a new Student Route Visa application for the additional time required.

    Similarly, if you started on an MA programme and wish to progress to the MFA or switch to the part-time version of your course, you will need to make a new Student Visa application for the additional time required to complete the programme.

    Please note that it may not be possible for you to complete your programme in the time allowed by UKVI, which may result in your registration and sponsorship being withdrawn.

    All course/programme changes must first be confirmed in writing by Course Leaders, who may wish to interview you first.

  • Returning after a break in studies

    If you need to make a new visa application because you are resuming your education after a break in studies, you will need to have had a return to studies interview, and the Admissions Team will need to confirm your return date with your Programmes Team.

    We cannot provide a CAS more than 3 months prior to your expected date of return.

  • Other changes in circumstances

    Please be aware that the School is required to notify UKVI of certain changes in your circumstances – such as:

    • late registration
    • non-registration
    • break in studies
    • low attendance
    • withdrawal

    You will be notified beforehand of our intention to do this - for this reason it’s important to keep your contact details up-to-date. Please notify the Admissions Team immediately of any changes.

Permits and documentation

Information regarding permits and document checks for international applicants, offer-holders and students.

  • Biometric Residence Permit (BRP)

    You may be issued a Biometric Residence Permit – or BRP card – following your Student Route Visa application, however UKVI is phasing these out by the end of 2024 in favour of a digital immigration status. This is why your BRP may have an end date of 31 December 2024, however don’t panic – UKVI should have moved you to the digital status by that date.

  • Digital immigration status

    A digital immigration status is digital proof of your permission to enter and/or remain in the UK, and allows us to verify your immigration status to assess your right to study.

    To view or prove their immigration status, many overseas students will be able to obtain a share code from the UK government website. Please note this is not yet available to all.

  • Document checks on arrival

    When you arrive at Central, as part of your registration, we will ask you to see the originals of certain documents so that we can verify and take copies of these – even if you have provided a photo or a copy prior to your arrival.

    These documents will include, but are not limited to:

    • your passport, including any secondary passport you may have;
    • your BRP card (if you were issued one);
    • the front page of your confirmation letter from UKVI;
    • evidence of your date of arrival in the UK, such as a plane ticket.

    Note that all documentation must clearly state your full name.

    Please look out for the invitation to book yourself onto a document check session, and ensure you book yourself as soon as possible, to avoid delays to completing your registration.

    Any student failing to complete registration will have their sponsorship withdrawn.

Working in the UK during studies

During term-time, international students are limited to working 20 hours per week. Any student found to be working longer hours than this will have their sponsorship withdrawn for breaking the conditions of their visa.

Police Registration

Since 4 August 2022, police registration is no longer required. You still need to tell the Home Office about any change to your personal details, such as your address.

The gov.uk website advises that if you already have a police registration certificate, you should destroy it before disposing of it, for example by shredding it.

Useful links