International Students
We welcome international students from all corners of the globe. Our student body consists of a huge number of nationalities, making for a wonderfully stimulating and diverse environment.
Below, you will find information about visas for studying in the UK, as well as essential information for international students in London.
Visas for Studying in the UK
Whether you have yet to arrive in the UK or are already here, you can find all the visa information you need to know here. Most non-UK Nationals starting a degree course will require a Student Visa (previously known as Tier 4) in order to study in the UK.
The type of visa you need, and the process for applying for it, will differ depending on the type of course you plan to study, the length of your course and other criteria.
You can get more information on how to apply for your visa and which visa to apply for on the UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA) website.
You can also find more information on the Home Office website.
Firstly, you should use the Check if You Need a UK Visa tool to see if you will be required to obtain a visa to join any of our courses. You will need to confirm your nationality, that you intend to travel for the purpose of studying, and the length of the course you intend to undertake.
MA programmes | BA (Hons) Fashion Communication | Vogue Foundation Programme
International students without a UK passport will require a Student Visa (previously known as Tier 4) to attend either of these courses.
You can apply for this visa only after you have been accepted and issued with a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) number by the College.
You can apply for this visa no more than six months before the start of the course or the date of travel.
Once you have been accepted, we will send you all the required information to help guide you through the visa application process.
More information on this visa can be found on the Gov.uk website.
Vogue Fashion Certificate | Vogue Intensive Summer Course | One Week Courses | Vogue Teen Weekend
Most international students without a UK passport will be required to apply for a Standard Visitor visa for these courses, which are less than 6 months long.
Consult the Gov.uk website to confirm this in relation to your nationality. A list of the required documents and other important information can also be found on the site.
To apply for the short-term visa, you will need an unconditional acceptance letter from the Condé Nast College confirming your enrolment on the course. The original letter will only be issued once the full payment of the tuition fee has been received and cleared. Please note that photocopies and scans are not accepted.
If you have not received yours yet, please get in touch with our Compliance Team at visa.compliance@condenastcollege.ac.uk
If you are a Non-Visa National you must avoid entering the country through the E-Gates. Visit a Border Control Officer when entering the UK to get a stamp in your passport. This will validate your Right to Study.
Student Visa (long-term)
For all our MA programmes, BA (Hons) Fashion Communication and the Vogue Fashion Foundation Programme
International students without a UK passport will require a Student Visa (previously known as Tier 4) in order to study on these courses. You can apply for this visa only after you have been accepted and issued with a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) number by the College, and no more than six months before the start of the course or the date of travel. This is a requirement of the UK Government. Once you have been accepted into a course, the College will send you all the necessary information to help guide you through the visa application process.
Disclaimer: While the Condé Nast College of Fashion & Design provides directional links and support to prospective students requiring study visas, ultimately it is each student’s personal responsibility to ensure that they have met all of their visa requirements. The College does not take any responsibility for non-issued visas.
You can apply from outside the UK no more than six months before the start date of the course or the date of travel, and three months from within the UK (if applicable). You should check with the United Kingdom Visas and Immigration (UKVI) website as to their processing times.
After you have been accepted to the course, we will send you a checklist of documents you will need to submit to us for review before we issue you a CAS. Once we have verified all your details and documents, we will issue you a CAS, which you use to apply for your student visa. Please use those same documents for your Student Visa Application.
Most international students will need to apply for a student visa (previously known as Tier 4) to study a full-time degree-level course at Condé Nast College of Fashion & Design.
The information on this page is a brief guide highlighting the key points of the student visa process for international students.
For more detailed information, please visit UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA) and the UK Home Office
Application Process
The Home Office has full guidance on how, when and where to apply, but here is a brief summary of the process:
- Obtain Confirmation of Acceptance of Studies (CAS) from the Compliance Team after receiving your unconditional offer, but no more than 6 months before the course start date.
- Complete Student Visa application form online (if you plan to apply from within the UK, check to make sure you are eligible).
- Pay immigration health surcharge and application fee.
- Book a biometric appointment at a visa application centre (to get a biometric residence permit) as part of your application.
- Attend biometrics appointment (scan and upload your documents before the appointment).
- Attend credibility interview (if asked to do so).
- Home Office will contact you with a decision (often within three weeks, but visa processing times vary by country).
- If your visa is refused, please contact the Compliance Team at visa.compliance@condenastcollege.ac.uk and attach your visa refusal letter.
- If your visa is granted, please contact the Compliance Team at visa.compliance@condenastcollege.ac.uk and attach your UKVI 01 letter.
- Collect your biometric residence permit (BRP) within 10 days of your arrival in the UK (or, if you applied within the UK, your BRP will be posted directly to you). Bring it with you on your first day at Campus for processing.
Required Supporting Documents
|
Document |
Description |
|
Confirmation of Acceptance of Studies (CAS) |
You can request your CAS within six months of your course start date, if you have accepted your unconditional offer, and paid your first year’s tuition fee for our BA, or full tuition fees if applying for an MA or our Vogue Foundation Programme. |
|
Passport or travel document |
Copy of the photo page of your passport and any previous UK visas. If you have applied for and have previously been refused a UK visa for whatever reason, please provide a copy of the visa refusal letter. Must be the same document listed on your CAS |
|
Financial documents |
You must show the full amount needed for maintenance for a minimum of 28 days. A bank statement should be printed on the 29th day. If using parents' bank statements, they must be accompanied by a letter of support from parents and proof of the relationship (i.e. birth certificate). The UKVI Student Visa Policy Guidance gives very precise instructions strictly to ensure you meet the financial requirements. |
|
Academic and English qualifications |
Must be the same qualifications you used to receive an offer to study with Condé Nast College, and for your CAS to be approved. |
Depending on your situation, you may also be required to submit:
|
Document |
Description |
|
Tuberculosis (TB) Medical Certificate |
You will need to have a TB test from a UKVI approved test centre if you are coming to the UK for more than 6 months and are resident in any of these listed countries. |
|
Letter of Consent from parents |
If you are under 18 years of age. |
|
Official English translations |
If any supporting documents are not in English. |
For more information on required documents for a Tier 4 student visa application, please read the full Home Office guidance and see the UKCISA evidence pages.
Credibility Interview
You may be required to attend a credibility interview. This will usually be conducted by video link with a UKVI officer in the UK, although some are face-to-face interviews at Home Office centres across the UK (if you are applying from inside the UK).
During your interview a member of Home Office staff may ask you about your course, where you want to study, your reasons for studying in the UK, any study gaps in your educational history and how you plan to finance your studies. They must be satisfied that you are a genuine student and that your English language ability is at the correct level, otherwise you might be called for a further interview or your application may be refused.
See the UKCISA website for more information.
Dependants
Some students on student visas can have a family with them in the UK as their dependents. This will depend on your student immigration status.
To find out who counts as a dependant, and how to apply, please see the UKCISA website.
PBS dependents can apply for a dependant visa (spouse or child) on the Home Office website.
Standard Visitor Visa (short-term)
For our Certificates, Vogue Intensive Summer Course, 5 days of Courses, and the Vogue Teen Weekend
International students without a UK passport may be required to apply for a Standard Visitor visa. Consult the Gov.uk website to confirm this in relation to your nationality. A list of the required documents and other important information can also be found on the site.
To apply for the Standard Visitor visa, you will need an unconditional acceptance letter from the College confirming your enrolment on the course. The original letter will only be issued once the full payment of the tuition fee has been received and cleared.
If you have not received yours yet, please get in touch with our Compliance Team at visa.compliance@condenastcollege.ac.uk
If you are a Non-Visa National you must avoid entering the country through the E-Gates. Visit a Border Control Officer when entering the UK to get a stamp in your passport. This will validate your Right to Study.
Please note photocopies and scans are not accepted.
You can apply for a visa up to three months before your date of travel to the UK. You should get a decision on your visa within three weeks. You can check the processing times to find out how long getting a visa might take in the country you’re applying from.
Applicants with nationalities on the non-visa national list are not required to apply for a Standard Visitor Visa. You can Check if You Need a UK Visa to confirm this. A list of the required documents and other important information on the standard visitor visa can be accessed on the Gov.uk website.
If you are a Non-Visa National you must avoid entering the country through the E-Gates. Visit a Border Control Officer when entering the UK to get a stamp in your passport. This will validate your Right to Study.
The full guide can be found on UKCISA website.
In short, you must provide documents that prove you:
- Have been offered a place on a course in the UK at an accepted place of study (the unconditional acceptance letter from us).
- Have enough money to support yourself without working or help from public funds, or that relatives and friends can support and house you.
- Can pay for your return or onward journey (evidence of return tickets or bank statements).
English Language Requirements
All classes are taught in English. Applicants whose first language is not English must prove their proficiency in written and spoken English and show that they will be able to participate in group discussions and give a presentation in English. The standard English language requirement for entry to MA and BA courses is 6.5 overall. Foundation, Diploma and Certificate 6.0-6.5 and all other courses 5.5 overall. Other relevant exams and experiences in written and spoken English may also be taken into consideration, depending on which course you are applying for. For more information on IELTS click here.
For Student Visa purposes you will need to take a secure English Language test, you can read more here.
For further information, please email visa.compliance@condenastcollege.ac.uk
Deadline for Submitting an Application
For the Online, One Week, Vogue Intensive Summer and Vogue Teen Weekend courses, applicants are required to apply no later than one week before the course starts.
For the Foundation, Diploma and Certificate courses, you will be required to complete your application two weeks before the course starts.
For the BA & MA degrees, applicants are required to apply no later than six weeks before the course starts.
Given the intense competition for places, you are advised to apply as soon as possible. If you have any concerns, please check with the Admissions team who can inform you if a course is already full.
Before Arriving in the UK
Before coming to the UK to study at the College, there are processes you will need to follow and specific information you will require. Our Essential Condé Nast Guide is full of information and advice about:
- Immigration and visas
- Working during your studies
- Money and banking
- Travelling in London
- Council tax
- Telephones
- Healthcare, and more…
Read International Students Pre Departure Information.
On Arriving in the UK
Students with a Student visa (previously known as a Tier 4) have certain conditions and responsibilities attached to their stay in the UK. If you have a Student visa it is very important that you understand and abide by your specific visa conditions.
As the sponsor of your Student visa the College also has certain duties and responsibilities which are set by UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI). Some of the College's sponsor duties may affect your visa, so it is important that you know what these are.
To familiarize yourself with your and College Student Visa responsibilities please read our guide
Student Visa (Tier 4) Responsibilities
Useful Websites to Read Before Studying in the UK
The British Council website will provide you with information about pre-departure events. You can download its "First Steps" pre-departure guide for more helpful information.
The UK Council for International Student Affairs, UKCISA, has a whole range of topics that are useful for international students, including driving in the UK, finding housing and British culture.
Prepare for Success is a multimedia learning resource to help you discover what kind of academic skills you will need to get the most out of your time studying in the UK.
The Graduate Route
The Graduate route is a visa for international students in the UK who want to work or look for work following the successful completion of their degree at the Undergraduate level or above at a Higher Education Provider with a track record of compliance.
To be eligible to offer the Graduate Visa route, any Higher Education Provider such as Condé Nast College of Fashion & Design needs first to be on the Register of such providers held by the UK's Office for Students and is then granted a track record of compliance by UKVI if it has met the qualifying conditions.
Condé Nast College of Fashion & Design is currently in the process of obtaining this registration. We will make an official announcement once the process is completed, meaning our current students are not eligible for the graduate route upon completion of their studies.
