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Things to do 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. 

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

Find out more

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

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 Cardiff University International Study Centre 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

International Foundation Year, International Year One & Pre-Masters

Start Date: 13th January 2025

6th December 202413th December 202420th December 202427th December 20243rd January 2025

Accelerated International Foundation

Start Date: 10th March 2025

31st January 20257th February 202514th February 202521st February 202528th February 2025

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

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).

Later CAS deadlines may be available if you are using a Super Priority or Priority Service. Contact Admissions for information.

Important things to do before you arrive

Join us today

We're here to support you throughout the application process. Use our online application form and our student enrolment advisors will be available to answer your questions.