International students

International students - International student visas

Information on immigration and visa requirements for international students

Oxford University's Department for Continuing Education welcomes international students on all its courses. However, it is the responsibility of successful applicants to ensure that they conform to UK immigration law.

Here are some important points you should consider when applying for any of our courses:

Non-EU/EEA, overseas students wishing to enter the UK to study part-time should be aware that a Tier 4 Student Visa is not appropriate and that the University will not be able to issue a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS).
The Student Visitor route allows students over the age of 18 to study either part-time or full-time on a course of up to 6 months duration or for up to 6 months in any 12 month period where the course is longer than 6 months and requires short periods of study in the UK (distance learning).
If you undertake a distance learning course, you should ensure that your stay in the UK as a Student Visitor is only for the duration of each particular module or study block.
There are restrictions with the Student Visitor route; you will not be able to take employment of any kind and you cannot extend your stay in the UK.
Students planning to study full-time on either the Advanced Diploma in British and European Studies, the Certificate or Postgraduate Diploma in Diplomatic Studies or the Postgraduate Diploma in International Wildlife Conservation Practice should apply for a Tier 4 (General) Student Visa and will be need to be issued with a CAS number as part of that application.
Students entering the UK on a Dependant Visa, Ancestry Visa, or a Working Visa should be eligible to study on any course, full or part-time, offered by the Department.

Further information is available from the Student Information and Advisory Service (see below)

Students ordinarily requiring a visa to enter the UK (visa nationals) are reminded that a charge is levied by the consulate (or equivalent) for each application they make for a Student Visitor Visa and that they must be in possession of the visa before travelling. A Student Visitor Visa is valid for a maximum of 6 months, so it may be necessary for apply for more than one visa in order to complete the course.

Students not ordinarily requiring a visa to enter the UK (non-visa nationals) should ask to be granted entry to the UK as a Student Visitor upon arrival in the UK each time they travel to the UK to undertake a module or period of study. Students also have the option of applying for a visa as a Student Visitor before travelling to the UK (for which a charge will be levied).

Applicants or students should read the following for further information:

http://www.ox.ac.uk/students/international_students/

http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/studyingintheuk/student-visitors/

www.ukcisa.org.uk

Additional assistance and advice is available from the Student Information and Advisory Service on student.immigration@admin.ox.ac.uk

The following table offers guidance on the immigration routes available to those wishing to undertake OUDCE part-time courses.

All courses (with the exception of British and European Studies, Certificate and Postgraduate Diploma in Diplomatic Studies and the Postgraduate Diploma in International Wildlife Conservation Practice)
Students should ensure that they have in their possession the required documentation each time they apply for a Student Visitor Visa or Permission to Enter, whichever is appropriate.
Class-Taught Courses
ALL Undergraduate Certificates ALL Undergraduate Diplomas Undergraduate Advanced Diploma in Biblical & Theological Studies Undergraduate Advanced Diploma in Environmental Conservation Undergraduate Advanced Diploma in the History of Art Postgraduate Certificate in Architectural History Postgraduate Certificate in Psychodynamic Counselling Postgraduate Diploma in Cognitive Therapy Postgraduate Diploma in Psychodynamic Practice MSc in Applied Landscape Archaeology MSc in English Local History MSt in Psychodynamic Practice	The duration of these courses, and their attendance requirements, make them unsuitable for students who enter the UK as a Student Visitor (both visa nationals and non visa nationals).
Distance Learning Courses with Required Summer School / Residential Element
Postgraduate Certificate in Nanotechnology Postgraduate Certificate in Historical Studies Postgraduate Diploma / MSt in Advanced Cognitive Therapy Postgraduate Diploma in Paediatric Infectious Diseases MSt in Creative Writing MSt in International Human Rights Law MSt in Literature and Arts MSt in Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy	These courses contain a required element of face-to-face teaching in the UK for which students must obtain a Student Visitor Visa (visa nationals) or Permission to Enter as a Student Visitor (non visa nations) must be obtained.
Modular Courses
Postgraduate Certificate / Diploma in Health Research Postgraduate Diploma / MSc in Mathematical Finance MSc in Bioinformatics MSc in Evidence-Based Health Care MSc in Experimental Therapeutics MSc in Sustainable Urban Development	Students must meet the requirements for a Student Visitor Visa (visa nationals) or Permission to Enter as a Student Visitor (non visa nationals) for each separate module taken. The attention of prospective students for these courses is especially drawn to the points under ‘All courses’ above.
Weekly Classes / OUSSA / IP Summer Schools / Stand-Alone CPD Modules and Short Courses
Any one or more courses with a total duration of less than 6 months in any one year.	The duration of these courses makes them suitable for students entering the UK on a Student Visitor Visa (visa nationals) or with Permission to Enter as a Students Visitor (non visa national) provided the total annual stay in the UK is for no more that 6 months.
Doctoral Courses
DPhil in Archaeology DPhil in Architectural History DPhil in Cognitive Therapy DPhil in Continuing Education DPhil in English Local History DPhil in Evidence Based Health Care	The duration of these courses makes them suitable for students entering the UK on a Student Visitor Visa (visa nationals) or with Permission to Enter as a Student Visitor (non visa nationals) provided the total annual stay in the UK is for no more that 6 months. Most doctoral courses offered by the Department require students to meet face to face with their supervisor in the UK at least once a term.
Online Courses
Undergraduate Advanced Diploma in Data and Systems Analysis Undergraduate Advanced Diploma in Local History	These courses do not require students to visit the UK.

The University takes no responsibility for a visa being denied at any point before or during a course.