Can You Change Universities After Receiving a UK Student Visa?

Why the sponsor matters

Appendix Student says a Student must study with the sponsor that assigned the CAS, subject to narrow exceptions such as an authorised partner institution or study after a valid permission-to-stay application supported by the new sponsor’s CAS. The eVisa is therefore not a general permit to attend any UK university.

If the visa is granted but you have not travelled

This is usually the cleanest point to change direction. Do not use the first university’s visa to enter the UK intending to study elsewhere. Instead:

1. Obtain an unconditional offer from the new licensed student sponsor.
2. Tell the first university that you will not enrol and ask about deposit and withdrawal procedures.
3. Ask the new university to assess academic, English, finance, ATAS and credibility requirements.
4. Receive a new CAS after the new sponsor is ready to sponsor you.
5. Submit a fresh Student entry-clearance application from outside the UK.
6. Wait for approval and check the new eVisa before travelling.

A CAS belongs to one sponsor and one application. The new university cannot edit or take over the old CAS. A fresh application means a new visa fee and, where applicable, Immigration Health Surcharge handling.

If you are already in the UK

Contact the international student advice teams at both institutions before withdrawing. A transfer can create a gap in sponsorship and permission. The current university has reporting duties when a sponsored student does not enrol, withdraws or stops studying; the Home Office may shorten the permission after sponsorship ends.

To move to a new sponsor, you normally need:

• An unconditional offer and new CAS.
• A valid Student application supported by that CAS.
• Eligibility to apply for permission to stay inside the UK, or a plan to leave and apply overseas.
• Academic-progress evidence where the rule applies.
• New ATAS clearance if required for the course.
• Correct financial evidence unless an exemption applies.

Appendix Student permits study with the sponsor that assigned the new CAS while a valid permission-to-stay application is pending, provided the application was made while the applicant had Student permission and the review conditions are met. Do not interpret this as permission to start before the new sponsor has checked enrolment and immigration compliance.

Can you apply inside the UK?

An in-country Student extension may be possible if the applicant has valid eligible permission, meets the Student rules and satisfies academic progress or an exception. GOV.UK also says the new course must normally begin within 28 days of the current permission expiring.

Applicants cannot switch to Student permission from several categories, including Visitor, Short-term Student, Parent of a Child Student, Seasonal Worker or Domestic Worker in a Private Household. If the new course, timing or progression rules do not permit an in-country application, the student may need to leave the UK and apply for entry clearance.

Academic progress

For many in-country applications, the new course must represent academic progress. A higher-level course normally qualifies. A same-level degree course can qualify where the new sponsor is a higher education provider with a track record of compliance and confirms that it is related to previous study or supports genuine career aspirations. Exceptions cover limited situations such as continuing a PhD with a supervisor at a new institution or moving after sponsor-licence revocation.

Changing universities because of cost, location or preference does not by itself satisfy academic progress. The new sponsor decides whether to assign a CAS and records its assessment.

Same university, different course

Changing course within the current university is different from changing sponsor. ST 27.3 allows a Student to begin a new course with the current sponsor without a fresh application only when all relevant conditions are met:

• The sponsor is a higher education provider with a track record of compliance.
• The original CAS course has not been completed.
• The new course is not at a lower level, except for the specified integrated master’s or PhD situation.
• The new course is at degree level or above.
• It can be completed within the existing permission.
• The sponsor confirms it is related to the original course or supports genuine career aspirations.

If any condition fails, the university may require a new Student application, often from overseas. Written university approval is essential.

Do not withdraw too early

Coordinate the sequence. Withdrawing from the first university before the new offer, CAS and visa strategy are secure can leave the student without sponsorship. At the same time, continuing to represent that you will study at the first university after deciding otherwise can create credibility and compliance problems.

Tuition deposits and refunds

Immigration permission does not decide the refund. Read the university’s deposit terms, including CAS issuance, visa refusal, withdrawal, arrival and administrative deductions. Ask for a written calculation rather than assuming the entire deposit will transfer to another institution.

The Immigration Health Surcharge from a cancelled or superseded application is handled under Home Office refund rules and may not appear immediately. Do not count on a refund to fund the next application deadline.

Effect on dependants

A sponsor or course change can affect dependant eligibility. For courses starting on or after 1 January 2024, most new postgraduate taught programmes do not allow new dependants; eligibility normally requires a government-sponsored course over six months or a qualifying doctorate or research-based higher degree. Existing dependants in the continuation provisions need individual assessment.

If the main Student makes a new application, family applications, permission end dates and maintenance funds should be planned together. A dependant cannot assume that the old permission remains suitable after the Student’s route changes.

Effect on Graduate visa plans

Graduate visa eligibility normally requires successful completion of the course studied under the current Student permission and notification by the eligible sponsor. If the sponsor formally allowed a course change without a new Student application, the Graduate rules recognise completion of the changed course. An unapproved transfer, incomplete course or sponsor mismatch can put the Graduate application at risk.

Common mistakes

• Entering the UK on University A’s visa intending to attend University B.
• Assuming an offer letter replaces a CAS.
• Starting at the new university before the sponsor confirms the immigration position.
• Withdrawing before checking in-country application eligibility.
• Ignoring academic-progress requirements.
• Using the old CAS or old financial calculation.
• Forgetting that ATAS may change with course content.
• Relying on verbal refund promises.
• Ignoring dependant and Graduate visa consequences.

Transfer action plan