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
Pay your confirmation fee and return your signed acceptance form to confirm your offer.
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 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.
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 Plus cover or arrange your own.
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.
Join us on campus
Find out about studying with us, how your programme will be delivered and tips on preparing to travel.
Prepare for Success
5 weeks before your selected course you will be automatically enrolled in our Prepare for Success online programme in order to help you get everything you need.
Important dates
Programme start date: 26th September
You must request your CAS by the published deadlines, at the latest. Please note that these CAS request deadlines are based on standard visa processing times, and are set in conjunction with the University. For some programmes, the CAS will be issued by Study Group; for other programmes, the Combined visa (iCAS) is issued by the University. If the deadlines for your programme are not yet currently listed, you will be contacted by Admissions when the information is available.
CAS deadlines
| 12th August 2022 | 19th August 2022 | 26th August 2022 | 2nd September 2022 |
| Angola | Azerbaijan | Albania | Brunei |
| Bahrain | Belarus | Algeria | Cambodia |
| Bangladesh | Canada | India | France |
| Botswana | Kazakhstan | Jordan | Germany |
| Brazil | Kuwait | Lebanon | Hong Kong |
| China | Mexico | Morocco | Indonesia |
| Colombia | Oman | Myanmar (Burma) | Italy |
| Egypt | Qatar | Philippines | Japan |
| Ghana | Russia | Turkey | Korea |
| Iran | Ukraine | United Arab Emirates | Macau |
| Iraq | USA | Malaysia | |
| Kenya | Nepal | ||
| Libya | New Zealand | ||
| Nigeria | Portugal | ||
| Pakistan | Singapore | ||
| Peru | Spain | ||
| Saudi Arabia | Sri Lanka | ||
| South Africa | Switzerland | ||
| Uganda | Taiwan | ||
| Vietnam | Thailand | ||
| Zambia | |||
| Zimbabwe |
Information for current students whose programme finishes before June 30th 2022**
If you wish to complete your studies online, you must inform a student support team member (who will be in contact with you directly) of your intention to complete your programme online, otherwise you will be expected to arrive in the UK by 30 June 2022 to continue your programme.
Information for current students whose programme finishes after June 30th 2022**
Students whose programme finishes after the 30th June 2022, must still apply to study online all year. If they do not apply, or do apply and are unsuccessful, they must arrive in the UK by 30 June 2022.
Details of this process and guidance can be found here.
*Subject to continued approval by the UK Visas and Immigration service, or circumstances that are subject to approval under our specific academic regulations.
**Important condition of eligibility for completing studies online:
Where we are offering the opportunity to existing students to complete their studies online, to be eligible to apply, students must have undertaken a minimum of two weeks’ study on their Study Group course (whether on-campus or online) and be deemed to be engaging in their studies at an acceptable level.
High-quality teaching
You will experience the level of exceptional, high-quality teaching you would expect from an Office for Students registered provider, whether you study virtually or on campus.
One to one support
Academic guidance, tutorial sessions, careers support and personal welfare support is all available virtually and on campus. You'll be part of a community of international students and we'll be here to support you on your university journey.
Flexibility
Keep your studies on track and start your programme virtually or on campus. We'll make sure you're ready to progress to the University of Sussex as planned.