CAS number applications

If you are an International student, it is likely you will require a Student visa to study in the UK. To apply for a student visa, you will require a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS). The CAS is a unique reference number which confirms that the University has agreed to be your sponsor, and provides information about you and your course to UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI). 

Please be aware that when students are issued with a CAS number, they become subject to UKVI rules on monitoring International students. This means that we will have to report you to UKVI if you do not register at the University, or if you do not attend your course.

Arranging your CAS number for your Academic Course

Arranging the CAS number is one of the tasks completed as part of your Pre-Registration at the University of Sheffield. You will be sent an email inviting you to begin Pre-Registration and giving you access to the Pre-Registration system when:

1. You have accepted an Unconditional offer of a study place at the University; and
2. It is less than four months before the start of your course.

The CAS Application task will appear in the Pre-Registration system when

1. It is less than four months before the start of your course;
2. You have accepted an Unconditional offer of a study place at the University; and
3. You have paid any fee deposit we have requested (postgraduate taught applicants only).

The following table describes the process. Sections in bold text indicate where you need to do something.

We encourage you to apply for your CAS as soon as you are able to. If you are applying from outside the UK and are not intending to use a priority service, you should submit your CAS application to us at least 3 weeks before your course start date.

If you are using a priority service, the final deadline to submit your CAS application to us is 1 week before the latest possible start date for your course. Please visit our New Students webpages for more information on late registration and start dates.

Stage	What will happen	Estimated time
1	The CAS Application task will appear on your Pre-Registration menu	Within 5 working days of you accepting an Unconditional offer of a study place at the University of Sheffield (and paying any associated fee deposit) or Four months before the start of your course (whichever is later)
2	When you are ready to begin the process of arranging your CAS number, you should open the CAS Application task within the Pre-Registration system and follow the on-screen instructions to activate your CAS Application	N/A
3	We will prepare your CAS Application. When the CAS Application is ready for you, it will become visible within the CAS Application task.	Within 2 working days of you activating your CAS Application.
4	You should check that all the CAS Application Information is present and correct (as it appears on your passport and other documents). If any information is missing or incorrect, you will be able to enter the correct information. When all the information is present and correct, you should confirm this by clicking the 'Submit' button.	N/A
5	We will check your CAS application and submit your information to UKVI. If you have made any errors or missed any sections, we will send your application back to you to amend and complete.	Within 5 working days of you confirming your CAS Application Information.
6	UKVI will process your information and they will allocate you a CAS number. They will send this number to the University (not to you).	Within 1 working day of UKVI receiving your CAS Application Information.
7	We will email you confirming that your CAS number has been assigned. You will be able to view the CAS statement which includes your CAS number, and the information we used in your application, by logging back in to your record in the Pre-Registration system.	Within 2 working days of UKVI sending your CAS number to the University.
8	After you have received your CAS number, you can find details of how to make your visa application on the UKVI website. You will be able to apply for your visa a maximum of three months before the date your course is due to start if you are applying from inside the UK, or six month if you are applying from outside the UK.	N/A

Arranging your CAS number for your ELTC Course

If you are studying an in-person English language course at our English Language Teaching Teaching Centre and require a student visa, you will require a CAS.

The following describes how to request a standard CAS for your ELTC course and explains the steps we have to undertake before your CAS can be issued. For information about how to request a Combined CAS, please visit this webpage

We will only arrange a CAS for you when:

• It is less than 4 months until your course start date
• You have accepted an Unconditional offer

Application stages

Accept your ELTC Course Offer and Return the Visa Request Form

When you are issued with an offer letter for your ELTC course, you will also be sent a link to complete our "Visa Request Form". The form will ask you to indicate whether you require a single CAS, a Combined CAS, or whether have alternative immigration permissions to study in the UK. 

CAS Request processed by the Admissions Department

Once you have returned your Visa Request Form, the Admissions department will process your response. If you have requested a CAS, we will assess whether you are eligible for a CAS and will create a CAS application record for you within 5 working days.

Apply for your CAS

You will receive an email inviting you to complete your CAS application. Follow the instructions given in the email to complete your CAS application. You should check that all the CAS Application Information is present and correct. If any information is missing or incorrect, you will be able to enter the correct information. When all the information is present and correct, you should confirm this by clicking the 'Submit' button. This will submit your CAS application to the Admissions team.

CAS Application processed by the Admissions Department

Once you have submitted your CAS application to us, we will check your CAS application and submit your information to UKVI within 5 working days. If you have made any errors or missed any sections, we will send your application back to you to amend and complete. 

Receive your CAS Statement

Once we have sent your information to UKVI, UKVI will process your information and they will allocate you a CAS number. They will send this number to the University (not to you). We will email you confirming that your CAS number has been assigned. You will be able to view the CAS statement which includes your CAS number, and the information we used in your application, by logging back in to your record in the Pre-Registration system.

Apply for your Visa

After you have received your CAS number, you can find details of how to make your visa application on the UKVI website. You will be able to apply for your visa a maximum of three months before the date your course is due to start if you are applying from inside the UK, or six month if you are applying from outside the UK.

Frequently asked questions

You can also read our answers to frequently asked questions about the process of arranging a CAS number:

CAS number frequently asked questions