International Study Centre

A student in a bright, glass room on Aberdeen's campus.

Prepare to study

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

How to apply for your CAS

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.

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 Pre-CAS interview (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 you have requested accommodation on your application form, our Central Student Support Team will contact you directly regarding the options available. 

We recommend for the best student experience and to focus on your studies that you live close to the Centre but you must live no further than a 60-minute commutable distance from the Centre.

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 with the 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 International Study Centre is confirmed.

Important dates

You must submit your CAS documents and have them approved by the published deadlines at the latest. Please note that these CAS ready deadlines are based on standard visa processing times, are set in conjunction with the University, and the combined visa is issued by the University of Aberdeen for some of our pathway programmes.

Combined visa (iCAS) deadlines - issued by the University of Aberdeen

Pre-Masters Programme start date: 28th August 2023

The final deadline to be CAS ready is 11th July 2023. If you are not able to make the iCAS July deadline for any reason such as not having your final certificates, you still have opportunity to join our Pre-Masters this September if you are CAS ready by 4th August 2023^. The CAS will be issued by Study Group and will only cover your pathway programme at the International Study Centre, meaning you will be required to apply for another visa for your degree study at the University of Aberdeen (but you will not need to return to your home country for your second visa application*).

International Year Two start date: 25th September 2023

The final deadline to be CAS ready is 11th August 2023.

Study Group CAS deadlines

The deadline date◊ to be CAS ready is different for each country. Please find the correct deadline for your country in the table below:

Pre-Masters Programme: 28 August 2023 21 July 202328 July 20234 August 202311 August 202318 August 2023
Undergraduate Foundation Programme: 25 September 202318 August 202325 August 20231 September 20238 September 202315 September 2023
Undergraduate Foundation Programme: 27 November 202320 October 202327 October 20233 November 202310 November 202317 November 2023

Angola

Bahrain

Botswana

Brazil

Colombia

Ghana

Iran

Iraq

Kenya

Nepal

Nigeria

Pakistan

Peru

Saudi Arabia

South Africa

Uganda

Vietnam

Zambia

Zimbabwe

Algeria

Azerbaijan

Bangladesh

Belarus

Brunei

Cambodia

Canada

China

Egypt

Hong Kong

Indonesia

Japan

Kazakhstan

Korea

Kuwait

Macau

Malaysia

Mexico

Myanmar

New Zealand

Oman

Philippines

Qatar

Russia

Singapore

Sri Lanka

Taiwan

Thailand

Ukraine

USA

Albania

India

Jordan

Lebanon

Morocco

Turkey

United Arab Emirates

France

Germany

Italy

Portugal

Spain

Switzerland

United Kingdom onshore students (already in the UK)

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

*Providing all students have successfully complete their Pre-Masters Programme and are applying to their Masters degree aim within 28 days of the expiry of their current visa.

^This is the earliest date students will need to be ready by for Study Group CAS, and this may be subject to change.