CAS stands for Confirmation of Acceptance of Studies. A CAS is a unique number provided by pointblank. You will need this number before you can apply for a Student Visa. Students applying for a Short Term Study visa will not require a CAS.

We do not issue a CAS to everyone who applies. You must be able to meet the requirements of a Student Visa before we can issue a CAS.

You do not need a CAS if you are studying a course 6 months in duration or shorter.

The exact requirements for a Student Visa can be found in the Check Sheet in the application process above, however here is a quick summary of what you will need:

1. Academic qualifications (equivalent to high school or above)

2. English language qualification (if you are from a non majority English speaking country)

3. To be able to pay your fees for the first year of the course in full

4. To show you have a minimum of £13,347 to support your living costs (this is known as "maintenance" and is in addition to the full course fees)

5. Valid passport

6. Tuberculosis Test if you are resident of these countries

Before we can issue you with a CAS for a Student Visa, we need to see evidence that you have the funds to cover your living costs. This is in addition to the course fees. 

If you are applying for a Student Visa for a course over six months in duration, you will need to show you can support your stay for the first nine months of your course. We recommend you have a minimum of £13,347 (£1,483 per month) however the more money you have available the stronger your visa application will be. This amount is in addition to the total course fees for courses under one year in duration, or the course fee for your first 12 months.

To show you can cover your living costs, we need to see a bank statement or letter confirming that this money is available in your account or a legal guardian's account. This money must have been cleared in your account for at least 28 days before the date when you apply for your student visa. Please refer to the Check Sheet in the application process above for the exact requirements.

• All applicants must be able to demonstrate English language at CEFR level B2, equivalent to grade C / 4 at GCSE. Please note this requirement also applies to mature students (21 or over) without formal qualifications who have been admitted based on their admissions test and/or prior experience.

• All international students requiring visa sponsorship require an IELTS Academic test. If you have / are going to take an IELTS exam, the minimum level is 6.0 overall (with 5.5 in each category: reading, writing, speaking and listening). Only IELTS Academic tests will be accepted.
• If you are an international student applying for a Student Visa and do not currently have a valid IELTS Academic test, pointblank will be happy to provide a fee waiver equivalent to the cost of one IELTS Academic test fee, to be waived from your fees upon successful registration only. pointblank will not provide further waivers for resits and the IELTS test booking receipt must be provided as proof of test fee paid. Fee waivers are applicable to tests completed post-application date only.

The fees for each course can be found on the course webpage. 

The fees for each programme can be found on the course page. The Key Information button at the top of each course page will give you all the information regarding the course fees for the programme. After being accepted on a course, students can reserve their place with a registration fee. The remaining course fees (or first year's fees if the course is longer than a year) will need to be paid before we can issue an acceptance letter or CAS (for a Student Visa).

There are different fees for EU students arriving for our January 2021, April 2021 and July 2021 start dates. You may be eligible for 'Home' fees. Please find our helpful information page here. 

Student Visa 

Once you have acquired your Study Visa, you are permitted to enter the UK up to one month in advance of your course start date. If you are studying a Diploma course with pointblank, you can remain in the UK up to two months after the course finishes. For Degree courses, this increases to four months. Students who complete one of our BA (Hons) courses will be eligible to remain in the UK to work for an additional two years. Details of the Graduate Visa can be found here: Post-Study Work

Standard Visitor Visa

A Standard Visitor Visa usually permits you to enter the UK for six months. During this period you will be permitted to study on campus for the full duration of your course, but you must leave the UK before your visa expires.

International students on a Student Visa are permitted to work part time during their studies. The amount of hours and type of work permitted will be stated on the BRP (Biometric Residence Permit) you receive. Students on a BA (Hons) degree programme will generally be allowed to work 20 hours per week during term time and unlimited hours during holiday breaks. From Summer 2021, successful students who have completed a Bachelors Degree qualification will also be able to apply for the Graduate Route Visa which allows. This route will provide students with the opportunity to stay in the UK to live and work after they graduate for 2 year. Useful information regarding the Graduate Route Visa can be found here. Students on a Standard Visitor Visa are not permitted to work.

pointblank will check all your documents before you submit your visa application and we will not issue a CAS (Student Visa applicants) until we are confident your application will be successful.

In the rare event that your visa application is rejected, there is an option to reapply. If you require extra time for your application, we are happy to postpone your course until the next start date at no extra cost.

If you visa application is refused, you are entitled to a full refund minus a £500 administration fee. This fee will remain on your account and can be used against a future course at pointblank London or our online school.

If you are in the UK on a visa you have been issued with by another sponsor, you may be able to study a short course with pointblank, however we do encourage students to acquire a visa which befits the main purpose of your stay in the UK. 

The Admissions Team will be able to advise if your current UK visa is suitable for study, or you may wish to check the UKCISA website for more information. 

If you have further questions, don't be shy, please contact a course advisor who will be happy to help.