Confirmation of Acceptance of Studies (CAS) Process

Students in a classroom

For international students, and EU students without pre-settled status, a visa is usually required to study in the UK. If you are unsure if you need a visa to study in the UK please contact the International Centre for clarification.

To apply for a UK Student Visa, you will require a Confirmation of Acceptance of Studies (CAS); this is a secure electronic record, generated by the University and shared with UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI). It contains detailed information about you, your course of study and your fees, and has a unique 14-digit reference which you will need for your visa application.  To obtain a CAS from the University of Chester you will need to complete a separate application process.

University of Chester uses CAS Shield, an online self-service system that enables you to provide all the relevant information required by us to issue your CAS.  All offer holders will automatically receive an invitation to CAS Shield (once the relevant intake has opened on CAS Shield), allowing you to log in and complete your CAS request. You will be eligible to apply for your Student Visa up to 6 months before your course date. 

Steps to obtain your CAS

All offer holders will automatically receive an invitation to CAS Shield (once the relevant intake on CAS Shield has opened).  Please check your email spam and junk folders if you do not receive this email once eligible, the email subject will be titled “Welcome to CAS Shield”.

Your personal details on CAS Shield will be prepopulated with the personal information you provided on your initial application and course details, please check to make sure this information is accurate and up to date.  You will be able to declare when you expect to make your deposit payment.  Only once you have paid your deposit, you will then move into the next stage of the CAS process where you will be asked to submit details of your immigration history and to upload supporting academic and English Language documentation which was accepted as part of your admissions offer. 

As part of the student visa process, you will need to show that you have sufficient funds to cover any outstanding tuition fees owed to the University and maintenance costs of £10,224. These funds must have been present in your account for a continuous 28-day period. In addition, the University of Chester requests that the bank statements you provide us, also show that you have maintained an additional £200 to cover any currency fluctuations which may occur.

We will need evidence that you meet this requirement before issuing you with a CAS. Guidance on the types of financial documents that are accepted can be found in our Student Visa Frequently Asked Questions.

You may be required to complete a Pre-CAS Questionnaire, a Genuine Intention Form or complete a Genuine Intention Interview before a CAS can be assigned.  Students are only required to complete one of the above, and if required this will be asked for as part of your CAS request process in CAS Shield.

If you are required to complete the Pre-CAS Questionnaire, details will be included on CAS Shield.  You will need to provide comprehensive answers in the first instance as you cannot go back and amend these.

If you are required to complete the Genuine Intention to Study Form, a link will be provided on CAS Shield. You will need to complete the form by answering the questions in as much detail as possible using the guidance notes to help you.

If you are required to complete the Genuine interview, you will be invited to do so on CAS Shield.  Guidance of the types of questions asked during the Genuine Intention Interview process can be found in our A Guide to Credibility Interviews for Students Applying from Overseas document.

If you are a non-EU/EEA (including Switzerland) national and are planning to take postgraduate study in the UK in certain, Technology, Engineering or Science subjects then you will now need to obtain an ATAS (Academic Technology Approval Scheme) certificate before applying for the visa, entry clearance or extension of stay as a student. Further details on the ATAS application procedure can be found at the following link: ATAS certificate.

A copy of your ATAS certificate must be provided before a CAS will be issued. Information on if you require an ATAS certificate will be outlined on your offer letter. If you are unsure if an ATAS certificate is required please contact us.

Please submit all CAS request documents through Enroly CAS Shield.  If, after providing your documents, we require additional information, we will be in touch via CAS Shield.  Please note, we are not able to issue your CAS until you have met all the conditions of your offer, paid a full deposit as per your offer letter and met all the CAS requirements.

Further information on money and maintenance requirements can be found online.

Deadlines

Please note, the deadlines can differ per course due to differences in course start dates. Please refer to our Important Dates for the most up-to-date deadlines.