Students Staff

Repeating parts of your course - student visa

It's possible that the choices you have been offered on academic grounds aren't all available to you due to the Student immigration rules and guidance.It is advisable to read the information available below andIf you have been offered a choice following your results, you should seek immigration advice from the International Services Team if you need to before making your choice.

There are a maximum of 5 years that you can spend in the UK studying at undergraduate degree level so, any changes to your studies that will result in you spending longer than planned obtaining your qualification must be considered very carefully. The University may not be able to sponsor you to extend your student visa if you will need more time than is allowed under the Student immigration rules and guidance.

Your options

If you have been offered an option not listed below please contact the International Services Team before making a choice.

You will continue to be studying a full time course and are likely to have to apply for further permission to stay under the Student Immigration Rules to complete your course. If you will have spent the maximum number of years allowed in the UK studying before your course finish date, you won't be eligible for our sponsorship.

If you wish to apply to extend your student visa from within the UK, you should do this before the start of your repeat year. We recommend students do this so that they can continue their studies through to completion without interruption.

If you don't apply for further Student permission before your repeat year begins, you will have to make the application in your home country overseas. The latest you can apply for Student permission to complete your course will be in the University vacation before your student visa expires. You should note that when making an application overseas you'll have to attend a credibility interview and must be able to demonstrate that you're a genuine and credible student, you may be asked about your academic failure and your progression since then.

If the Board of Examiners have offered you the opportunity to repeat one or more modules, but not a full repeat year, this will affect your student immigration status and you will have to leave the UK. If you will have spent the maximum number of years allowed in the UK studying before your course finish date, you won't be eligible for our sponsorship.

You will continue to be studying a full-time course but on a part-time basis for the specified period(s). See the various options you may be offered below.

The module(s) is taught in both the autumn and spring terms followed by an examination in the summer term, in the next academic year

You will be attending in all terms and therefore can remain in the UK during this period provided you have a valid student visa. If you will need to extend your student immigration permission to complete your course, the Universityis able to sponsor you for the full academic year, provided you are eligible.

The module(s) is taught in the autumn term followed by an examination in the summer term, in the next academic year

If you have a valid student visa, you should leave the UK at the end of the autumn term. Your student visa will be curtailed (cut short) by the Home Office and you will need to apply for a new Student visa before you return to the UK to take your exams in the summer term, if you are eligible for our sponsorship.

The module(s) is taught in the spring term followed by an examination in the summer term, in the next academic year

If you have a valid student visa, you should leave the UK at the end of the academic year, your student visa will be curtailed (cut short) by the Home Office. You will need to apply for a new Student visa to return to the UK for the start of the spring term in the next academic year, if you are eligible for our sponsorship.

Tier 4 and Student route visas

If you have a Tier 4 or Student route (the student visa that replaced the Tier 4 on 5 October 2020) visa, the University is required to report changes in your studies to the Home Office. The University is only able to sponsor you for the periods that you are required to be in attendance. You should leave the UK when you aren't required to attend and will usually have to apply for a new visa before you return.

Immigration Rules

The UK Government change the Immigration Rules and guidance frequently and so the University isn't able to guarantee further or continued sponsorship, your eligibility for our sponsorship will be considered in line with the rules and guidance in force at the time.

Other changes to your course

Further advice and guidance

If you require further guidance you can contact specialist advisers in our International Services Team.