Ultimate guide to international applications

Introduction

Applying to university is a big step, especially if you're looking to study at a university in another country. Our ultimate guide is here to help make the application process as easy as possible.

How can I apply?

You can apply to Coventry University in three ways:

1. Apply to us directly – Using our online application form you can apply to us directly. Our applicant portal is easy to use. Once you’ve submitted your application to us, we’ll contact you directly to let you know the next steps.
2. Apply through UCAS – The Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) is the UK’s organisation that manages applications to universities and colleges. Through UCAS you can find out information for different universities, as well as the courses they run. They also process applications for undergraduate courses. If you want to apply through UCAS, please search for our university code, C85, and apply for the course you want to study. Check out our ultimate guide to the UCAS process for more information.
3. Apply with an agent – If you would like extra help with your application, you can apply using one of our international agents. If you need advice or support, they’re here to help.

Do I need a visa to study in the UK?

If you’re coming to the UK to study for more than six months you will likely need to apply for a student visa before entering the country.

A student visa will also allow you to work as part of your studies, you could earn money with a part-time job (up to 20 hours a week).

Who doesn’t need a visa?

• Anyone with a UK passport
• Anyone from a country in the European Economic Area (EEA) or Switzerland who is already a resident of the UK
• Anyone from a country in the European Economic Area (EEA) or Switzerland who has a settled/pre-settled status in the UK.

Who does need a visa?

• All non-EU nationals
• Anyone from a country in the European Economic Area (EEA) or Switzerland who isn’t already a resident in the UK or has a settled/pre-settled status.

For more information about student visas, how to apply for them and which one you need, check out our visa page.

Do I need to know English?

All our courses at Coventry University are taken in English. To get the most out of your course and to make sure you do the best you can, you will need to be able to speak and understand a certain level of the English language.

You will have to prove that you’re capable enough in English. This can be done by passing a test that meets the requirement of the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) or passing a ‘Secure English Language Test (SELT). A SELT is effectively the same as the IELTS but taken at pre-approved testing centres. You can find the full list of accepted SELTs on the UK government website, here.  We may also accept tests from other providers. Send us a copy of your results certificate and we may be able to consider this as part of your application.

We also offer Pre-sessional English courses to help you prepare for studying in the UK. These courses focus on improving your language skills and developing your study skills.

All our courses list the required English language level on their respective course pages. Check the course you want to study to see what level you need.

What are the application deadlines?

At Coventry University, we offer several intakes throughout the year. So, if you miss the deadline for one intake you may be able to apply to join us for a future intake instead. You can see how many intakes our courses have on their individual course pages.

You can find out the application deadlines for the next intake on the international application hub. Please note that these are deadlines, and we encourage all students to apply well in advance of these. This is to make sure you have enough time to gather all necessary information and apply for your student visa.

How do I pay for university?

Your tuition fee is what you pay for your course. As part of this, you will be asked to pay a deposit before you can receive your Certificate of Acceptance (CAS) letter. This amount may differ based on where you’re from.

For information about paying tuition fees and how much deposit you need to pay, please check out our tuition fees page.

Students who wish to pay their tuition or accommodation fees by international bank transfer may be affected by fluctuating exchange rates and bank charges, meaning the amount you pay might not match the amount you owe.

We suggest using our online payment service Convera to make sure you’re paying exactly the right amount.

Frequently asked questions

• Where is my Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS)?

You will receive an email to the address provided during your application asking you to use CAS shield to meet your CAS conditions. Please make sure it hasn’t accidentally been received in your spam folder.

To obtain your CAS you will need to have:

• accepted your offer
• met all the conditions for your offer
• paid your deposit
• completed every section of the CAS shield.

Until all these conditions have been met, we won’t be able to send you your CAS. Click here for more information on your CAS as well as visas and immigration.

• I am going to arrive after the deadline, can I still enrol?

Due to the UK Visa and Immigration (UKVI) regulations, you must be enrolled by the last enrolment date mentioned on your CAS, unless advised otherwise by Coventry University. Please make sure you communicate as soon as possible with our admissions team about your travel plans and your concerns. If you fail to enrol before the final enrolment date, you will be advised/told to leave the country, and your CAS will be withdrawn.

• Where is my offer letter?

If we have provided you with an offer, you should find your offer letter on our Applicant Portal. This will outline all the conditions you need to meet (if any) to enrol on your course. You will need to satisfy all these conditions before we can provide you with your CAS. Find out more information about your offer here.

• On the enrolment portal it says my course ends one year after my start date, but I have applied for a three-year course.

If you have applied to a multi-year course, then you will be on that course. Coventry University students are required to re-enrol to the next stage of their course before the following academic year. This is subject to passing the previous year.

• I have a scholarship and have paid the difference, but the enrolment is still showing I have more to pay.

Your enrolment link must show the full fees amount to reflect your offer letter. Discounts such as scholarships are only applied to your account once you have completed your enrolment, and they are not visible on the Enrolment Portal. Please refer to your CAS letter for confirmation of your scholarship eligibility.

• I need to find out about my Credibility Interview (CI) submission.

Credibility interviews are a way the UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) make sure that only genuine students looking to complete a course in the UK receive a student visa.

If you’re looking for an update, these can be requested by using the chat icon in your CAS shield Portal. The chat will go directly to one of our team members and they will be able to provide you with an update. A CI outcome is usually released within seven working days from the CI submission.

• I do not meet the IELTS requirements, can I still apply?

To receive a student visa, you need to demonstrate that you have the correct level of English language competency to study in the UK. At Coventry University, we offer some pre-sessional English (PSE) courses to help you meet the minimum language requirements.

We also accept a range of tests to demonstrate your ability. You can find more information on English requirements here.

• I won’t have the money to pay the deposit until after the deadline, can I pay after?

You will need to have paid your deposit before we can supply you with your CAS. As such, the deposit deadline is in place to make sure you can still receive your student visa in time to enrol. Your deposit must be £8,000, or less than this if it’s the full amount of your course. We also ask that you pay your deposit using Convera, which shows you how much you’ll pay in your own currency.

• I’m having issues uploading docs to the portal, can I email them instead?

Please inform our IT Services team if you are having difficulties uploading your documents to the portal. To be able to successfully trigger our system during the different parts of the admissions process (including your enrolment) and avoid any IT issues, you need to be able to meet the minimum threshold for processing, which means you must be able to upload the three core documents: passport, academic certificates and English certificates.

• My flight arrives on the same day as the Right to Study (RTS) deadline, is that okay?

You must complete your RTS and ensure you are fully enrolled before the end of the last day of enrolment. You must complete your right to study as early as possible to give you the best chance to enrol on time. We would advise against travelling on the last day of your RTS, without sharing your travel plans with Coventry University.

• Can my (brother, friend, uncle etc) pay my deposit?

Yes, the payer can be yourself, a family member, a friend, or even a third party that you trust. As part of the Know Your Customer (KYC) checks, they will be required to enter and authenticate the payment on their mobile or computer device. You must also know the person paying on your behalf, and in some cases may have to provide evidence of who they are to you.

• Can I use bank statements as proof of funds?

To get your student visa, you need to be able to prove that you can fund both your course and your stay in the UK. You can find out how much money you’ll need to support yourself on the UK government website.

As proof of funds, you will need to show bank statements, a letter from your bank or a fixed deposit showing the amount held in your account. The account must be in your name, or your parents/legal guardian’s name. Funds must have been in the account for at least 28 days. Your proof must be dated no more than 31 days before the date you applied.

If you use your parent’s/legal guardian’s account, you need to show evidence of how you’re related to them and proof you have permission to use their money. This could be an original birth certificate and a signed letter confirming they’re willing to sponsor you and that you’re their child. 

• I applied for my visa, but I’m still awaiting a visa app and worried about missing the deadline.

According to the UK government website applications for those outside of the UK can take up to three weeks, and those applying from within the UK can take up to eight weeks. We would advise you to wait the maximum length of time to allow UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) to process your request.

• I have paid my deposit, when will I get my link to CAS shield?

Once you have accepted your offer to study in the UK and paid the required deposit, you should receive an email with a link to create an account within seven working days (Monday to Friday). This will be sent to the same email address you used during your application process. If you haven’t received this yet, we ask that you check your spam/junk folder just in case it’s ended up in there.

We try and release all information regarding CAS as quickly as possible and will endeavour to get it to you in good time. If you have paid your deposit and accepted your offer and it has been longer than seven working days, please email our admissions team applications.io@coventry.ac.uk and they will look into this for you.

• What scholarships are available to me?

We have a range of scholarships that may be available to you. For a full list of our scholarships and how you can apply for them, please check out our scholarships page.