Applying for a visa

As an international student, you are required to obtain a visa that allows you to study in the UK. You can make an applications under the student route. Here at BPP we are fully recognised and accredited as a Higher Education Provider by the Home Office, meaning we can act as a sponsor for student route visas.

Who is eligible?

You can apply for a student route visa to study in the UK with BPP University if:

Option 1

You are 18 years old or over and you

• have been offered a place on a chosen course

• can prove you have enough money to pay for your course and to support yourself during your study (amount depends on your circumstances). Further details can be found here

• pass a Secure English Language Test (SELT) with BPP University or meet the English language requirements for your chosen programme. Further details can be found here

Option 2

You are from the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein (or your family are), in which case you can

• apply for a student visa if you or your family have not already been living in the UK before 31 December 2020

• apply for the EU Settlement Scheme if you or your family lived in the UK before 31 December 2020. Check if you can still apply to the EU Settlement Scheme

Option 3

You are already in the UK on an alternative visa which permits studies in the UK.

Student Visa Conditions

It is essential that you fully understand and adhere to the conditions of your student visa as breaches can result in your visa being withdrawn.

Engagement with your studies

If you hold a student visa, you must ensure you meet BPP University’s Sponsored Visa Student Engagement Policy, ensuring you continuously engage with your academic studies throughout the duration of your programme. This means attending and taking part in all timetabled classes and assessment activities. If you are not regularly engaging with your course or you miss 30 consecutive days of engagement, we may withdraw you from your programme and inform the UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI), to comply with BPP University’s regulatory and compliance requirements. This means your visa may be cancelled and you may have to leave the UK.

If you are unable to meet the engagement requirements for any reason (including reasons such as illness, injury or pregnancy) you must let BPP know immediately. BPP University is unable to waive the engagement requirement but may be able to advise you about the possibility of deferring your programme or applying for an interruption of studies so you can continue your studies when you are able to meet the required engagement level.

Keeping in touch

It is essential that we can contact you to update you with important information regarding your programme or to check on your engagement, so you must ensure that we always have your current address and phone number.

Work rights for international students

Can I work in the UK?

The type of visa you have will determine if you can work in the UK during your studies.

BPP University students on a student visa can:

• Work up to the maximum number of hours a week noted on the vignette (visa sticker) in your passport and on your BRP. Each week is considered individually so you cannot work fewer hours one week and then exceed your allowance the next week to make up your hours. Please note the immigration rules define a week as seven days, from Monday to Sunday. If your vignette says “no work” you must not undertake any work until this has been changed by UKVI

• Work full-time during university holidays and from when your course ends until just before your visa expiry date. Please note that all holiday dates, course end and start dates are set by BPP

• Work up to 20 hours a week during term-time

Is there any work that I am not allowed to do?

Yes, people with a student visa cannot undertake the following:

• Employment as an entertainer

• Employment as a professional sportsperson or coach

• Permanent full-time work

• Self-employment (including running your own business)

• Any work, paid or unpaid if your course is part-time

• Claim public funds, such as benefits and pensions

You are not permitted to take paid work under any circumstances if you have used a short-term study visa to enter the UK.

Do I need any documents to start work?

Your BRP officially confirms your right to work in the UK.

If you want to work full-time during your official holiday weeks, your employer will also need a holiday letter. To request one, log in to The Hub and use the Student Query Form.

National Insurance number

You must apply for a National Insurance number just before you start work or immediately afterwards. To apply, call the Job Centre Plus application line on 0800 141 2075. For more information, please see gov.uk.

What are my rights as an employee?

Under UK law, your employer must:

• Pay you at least the minimum wage (see minimum wage rates at gov.uk)

• Ensure your working environment meets Health and Safety standards

• Comply with your work restrictions and not force you to breach your maximum weekly working hours

• Provide you with wage slips detailing how much you have been paid and how much has been deducted

• Ensure that National Insurance contributions have been made through your pay

• Ensure anti-discrimination measures are in place for all employees to create an inclusive working environment

Graduate route visa

The graduate route enables international students to remain in the UK on an unsponsored visa after they have successfully completed their course as per their CAS letter. Undergraduate and postgraduate taught students can stay in the UK for two years if the application is granted. This route provides students with a unique opportunity to find work, utilise their skills in the UK, and plan their future careers. There are set criteria that a student must meet in order to be eligible for the graduate route. For further information, please visit the graduate route visa website.

Eligibility checklist

• You are in the UK

• You are currently on a student visa

• You have studied a UK bachelor’s degree, postgraduate degree or other eligible course for a minimum period of time with your student visa

• You have successfully completed your course

Inviting visitors to the UK

During your studies, you may wish for a friend or family member to visit you in the UK from overseas. They should prepare to apply for a standard visitor visa and submit the application in the country where they are living. Further information about the visitor visa can be found here.

If you need to provide a letter of invitation, don’t forget to include details of your immigration status (for example, student visa), a copy of the front page of your passport and your current visa. You may also wish to provide your visitor with a proof of enrolment letter to confirm your status as a student at BPP University, or if you want to request proof of your registration, please get in touch using the online Student Queries Portal.

Please note that from 1 January 2024 the requirements to bring dependants has changed. BPP do not offer any courses that are eligible to bring dependants on your student route visa. 

For further information, please visit UKVI website.