Sheffield IC Students outside campus

Before you arrive

You’ve received an offer, what next?

Applying and receiving an offer is the start of your journey to study with us, there are a few more steps you need to take before we see you on campus.

Important things to do before you arrive

Pay your Confirmation Payment and return your signed acceptance form to confirm your offer. For more information on what your Confirmation Payment consists of and your payment plan please visit our fees page.

Once you have confirmed, you will have access to our Welcome Hub with lots of useful information about preparing to study.

A Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) is a unique reference number which confirms you have been accepted on a course of study in the UK. It is required for your Student visa application. You can apply for your CAS up to six months before your course start date (three months if you are in the UK).

a. Book and take your Readiness Check (if required)

b. Pay any fees due - check the information in your payment plan in your offer letter

c. Provide any outstanding documents - your insurance information, emergency contact details, any study gap information (if applicable), living arrangement confirmation form and previous UK Visa history (if applicable)

d. Receive your CAS preview. Sign and return it

e. Submit your financial or bank documents - you must have this money for at least 28 consecutive days. The end date of the 28-day period must be within 31 days of the date you apply for your visa.

Once you have received your CAS you can apply for your visa and take your UKVI interview (if required).

If you have requested accommodation on your application form, our Central Student Services Team will contact you directly regarding the options available. For September 2023 intake, there will be free coach services on selected dates from Manchester Airport to the University-managed accommodation, St. Vincent's Place (or other accommodation sites).

Should you choose to book your own accommodation, we suggest you live close to the College so you can make the most of your student experience, but your accommodation should be no more than one hour travel time from the College.

Find out more

Receive your visa and book your travel. When booking your travel, make sure you arrive before your first day of semester, so you don’t miss our valuable induction programme. Accommodation with the International College is usually available two days before the start of semester.

Free coach service:

There will be free coach services* for selected intakes from Manchester Airport to Sheffield. If the service is available for your intake, you can book your place by filling out the 'Arrival form' which will be included in the email you receive once you confirm your place with the International College.

*This service will be subject to minimum numbers being met. Students will be given enough notice to make other arrangements should we cancel the free coach service due to small numbers.

It is essential all international students have the protection of personal insurance while studying in the UK. You can take out our StudyCare Insurance cover or arrange your own.

StudyCare Insurance is specifically designed for international students’ needs during your studies at the International Study Centre and, if required, after progressing to your university.

Our insurance cover is available for up to 12 months or a fixed 24 months, allowing you to choose the policy length that suits you. Both lengths cover travel to the UK, loss of personal possessions as well as providing health and medical insurance. If you select 24 months, you will be covered for the duration of your pathway programme plus the first year of your degree.

Find out more

In your first week, you will take part in orientation activities and get to know the people and places around you. These normally include tours, information talks, and team games. You will receive further information when your place at the International College is confirmed.

Important deadlines for your CAS

You must submit your CAS and have them approved by the below published deadlines, at the latest.

Please note that these CAS deadlines are based on standard visa processing times for each country. If you miss the standard CAS deadlines, you must confirm that you will use a priority visa service before the CAS is issued, otherwise you will be deferred to the next available intake.

For some programmes, the CAS will be issued by Study Group; for other programmes, the Combined visa (iCAS) is issued by the University.

Here are three simple steps to find your deadline to be CAS ready: 

  1. Find your programme and start date in the left-hand column
  2. Look for the country you are applying from, not your nationality. For example, if a student is from Angola but is a resident in France, then the deadline is the date above France in the table below
  3. The deadline to submit your CAS will be the date above the country you are applying from.

CAS deadlines

Programme & Start dateDeadline to submit CAS and Country of residenceDeadline to submit CAS and Country of residenceDeadline to submit CAS and Country of residenceDeadline to submit CAS and Country of residenceDeadline to submit CAS and Country of residence

CAS deadlines for programmes starting on 10th June 2024:

- English Language Preparation
- English for Pre-Masters

3 May 202410 May 202417 May 202424 May 202431 May 2024

CAS deadlines for programmes starting on 23rd September 2024:

- IFY
- PMP 

16 August 202423 August 202430 August 20246 September 202413 September 2024

CAS deadlines for programmes starting on 30th September 2024:

- English Language Preparation
- English for Pre-Masters

23 August 202430 August 20246 September 202413 September 202420 September 2024

CAS deadlines for programmes starting on 25th November 2024:

- IFY
- PMP 

18 October 202425 October 20241 November 20248 November 202415 November 2024

Angola

Bahrain

Bangladesh

Botswana

Brazil

Colombia

Egypt

Ghana

Iran

Iraq

Kenya

Nepal

Nigeria

Pakistan

Peru

Saudi Arabia

South Africa

Uganda

Vietnam

Zambia

Zimbabwe

Azerbaijan

Belarus

Brunei

Cambodia

Canada

Hong Kong

Indonesia

Japan

Kazakhstan

Korea

Kuwait

Macau

Malaysia

Mexico

Myanmar (Burma)

New Zealand

Oman

Philippines

Qatar

Russia

Singapore

Sri Lanka

Taiwan

Thailand

Ukraine

USA

Albania

Algeria

China

India

Jordan

Lebanon

Morocco

Turkey

United Arab Emirates

France

Germany

Italy

Portugal

Spain

Switzerland

UK onshore

These CAS ready deadlines are based on standard visa processing times. Later CAS deadlines may be available if you are using a Super Priority or Priority Service. Please contact Admissions for more information.

If you are applying from a country that is not listed in the above table, then your CAS deadline will be similar to the countries with the earliest deadline (i.e. Angola, Bahrain, Brazil).

Important things to do before you arrive

Federico from Colombia

Born in Colombia. Made in Sheffield.

A huge thing I think international people get from the College is our main group of friends. We have the same classes, we are all in a new country with a new language and new people. We have that bonding. Then that just continues on in life after university.

Federico
International Foundation Year Science and Engineering
BEng (Hons) Aerospace Engineering

Students in lab

Join us on campus

Find out about studying with us at the College, how your programme will be delivered and tips for preparing to travel.

Chukwuemeka from Nigeria

Apply now

The University of Sheffield International College offers application support every step of the way. Discover today how to get support with your application.

Students in library

Contact us

Have any questions you want answering before studying at the University of Sheffield International College? Check out these FAQs or contact us directly to find the answers.

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Our student enrolment advisors are here to help with your application and answer any questions you have about studying with us.