If you plan to stay in the UK for less than six months, and you are not a visa national, then you do not need to apply for entry clearance prior to coming to the UK. Please read the notes below for more information. If you are a visa national (see visa national list), you will have to apply for a visa before you travel to the UK. Please read the instructions further down on the page.
Important
There are some complications if you choose to arrive in the UK via the Irish Republic, so please do not attempt to travel by this route.
Non visa nationals
If you are undertaking a module of study for less than six months, and are a non-visa national, you do not need to obtain entry clearance prior to arrival. You can declare your intention to study on a short module to the Immigration Officer on arrival and you will then be given leave to enter the UK as a 'student visitor.' Take your offer letter from Sussex confirming your place on the module in your hand luggage along with your passport, as you might need to show this to the immigration officer.
The financial evidence that you need to bring can vary but it includes your previous 3 months of bank statements and all or some of the following:
- If someone else is paying for you to study, a letter from them confirming what their connection to you is, how much they are going to give you, how often, for how long, and where that money is going to come from. You will also need evidence that they can fulfil their promise, for example, their bank statements or wage slips, or a letter from their employer confirming their salary.
- If you are being sponsored by a government or scholarship agency, a letter from them confirming how long the scholarship will continue for and what costs it will cover.
- If you are going to pay for your studies with your own savings, original bank statements covering at least the last 3 months.
For more information on the 'student visitor' category and rules, visit the UK border agency website.
However, if you intend to remain in the UK for longer than 6 months, or you wish to work or volunteer while you are here (though we do not recommend working while on an intensive module), you should apply for an adult student visa (under the Tier 4 regulations) BEFORE you enter the UK.
Please see the International and International Student Support immigration pages for more information, and contact the International Summer School office at issoffice@sussex.ac.uk if you choose to use this route as you will require a Confirmation of Acceptance of Studies (CAS) from our office. This is only for students applying for an adult student visa under the Tier 4 regulations, and only for students who wish to work, volunteer or extend their stay while they are here.
Upon arrival in the UK, you should have all the documents listed above in your hand luggage, ready to show the immigration officer. You will be interviewed and you will be asked about your reasons for coming to the UK. If the immigration officer are satisfied that you meet the student requirements they will put a stamp in your passport. The stamp will give the date of arrival and your student visitor visa will be valid for six months from this date. If your papers are not complete, the immigration officer may give you Leave to Enter for a short period, so that you can resolve things. If this happens to you, seek advice from the International and Study Abroad Office upon your arrival to the University.
Visa nationals
If you are a visa national (see visa national list), you will have to apply for a visa at your nearest British Embassy or High Commission, before you travel to the UK. It is compulsory for you to apply for entry clearance before you leave.
You have two choices: you can apply for a 'student visitor visa', which is what we generally recommend for students studying with the International Summer School, or you can apply for an adult 'student visa' depending on your plans. You should apply for a 'student visitor' visa (fee £140), only if you are sure you will not want to work or volunteer whilst you are in the UK or extend your visa from the UK. The two main benefits of applying for a student visitor visa is that there is a smaller fee, and the student visitor visa does not fall under the new points-based system, and the documentation you require is slightly different.
When applying for a student visitor visa you may be asked to provide details of the accommodation officer. Please use the following name and address: Mr. Peter Boddy, University of Sussex, Falmer, Brighton, BN1 9SL, UK.
An adult 'student visa' (fee £289) allows students to work or volunteer in the UK and extend their visa in the UK. You will apply for a 'student visa' via tier 4 of the points based system; these new rules specify that the University you will be studying at acts as a sponsor for your visa application, and there is additional documentation (a Confirmation of Acceptance of Studies, or CAS) from the University of Sussex that you will need as part of your visa application. Contact the International Summer School office at issoffice@sussex.ac.uk to let us know if you require this.
Note: we do not recommend that students find employment during the summer school. This is an intensive full-time module and it is not practical to take on work responsibilities.
To find out more about the documentation required to obtain a student visa and the application process, please see the International and International Student Support immigration pages.
Customs and Excise
When you arrive in Britain you will pass through customs and you may have to declare certain items. A system of red, green and blue symbols operates in all customs halls to help you through the procedure. Green means ‘Nothing to declare’; red means ‘Goods to declare’; Blue is for EEA nationals travelling from the EEA. Even if you go through the green channel a customs officer may stop you and search your baggage. If you are carrying more than the duty- and tax-free allowance, you must go through the red channel. You should consult the list available on your plane or boat to determine the allowances. If you have more than the allowance, you may have to pay charges on the excess. These charges depend on the quantity and kind of goods and may be substantially more than the purchase price of the goods. As a student, you are allowed to import goods temporarily into Britain without the need to pay duty or tax. If you are importing goods other than just your personal belongings, you are advised to go through the red channel and explain to the customs officer that you will be re-exporting the goods at the end of your course. If you travel to the UK via an airport in another EU country, you may have to pay duty on your personal belongings, particularly computers, but you can subsequently claim this back. If you are carrying prohibited or restricted goods, you must declare these to the customs officer by going through the red channel.
Drugs
The laws concerning drugs are strict, and the penalties are heavy. If you have to bring drugs that have been prescribed by a doctor, you are advised to bring documentary proof of the nature of the drugs; otherwise they may be confiscated. Drugs such as cannabis, ecstasy, cocaine and heroin are prohibited and customs officers and the police have the right to search for illegal drugs.