This important information is for short course students from OUTSIDE the European Economic Area (EEA) ONLY. The EEA is made up of the EU countries, Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein. Nationals of Switzerland are treated in the same way as EEA nationals for immigration purposes.

You will need to present your passport and valid visa/proof of entry clearance to the short course office before the start of your course. Instructions on how to do this will be sent to you when you book your course. 

Please also read the following sections to see how to get permission to study on your short course before entering the UK. 

• What is entry clearance?
• Why do I need entry clearance?
• How do I apply for entry clearance as a Student or Child Visitor?
• What do I need to know about the conditions of Student or Child Visitor status?
• Special information for Orientation students
• I have an Extended Student Visitor Visa (ESVV). Can I do a short course at University of the Arts London?
• What if I have any further questions?

What is entry clearance?

“Entry clearance” is another way of saying “permission to enter the UK”.  You will need to get entry clearance (permission to enter the UK) as a Student or Child Visitor before you can do our short courses.

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Why do I need entry clearance?

All students from outside the EEA and Switzerland who are booked on a short course at University of the Arts London must have entry clearance that allows you to study in the UK. If you do not have entry clearance we will not allow you to join your course and you will not be eligible for any refund of your course fees.

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How do I apply for entry clearance as a Student or Child Visitor?

First you will need to check to see if you are from Visa National Country on the list of Visa National countries.

• If your country is listed you are a ‘Visa National’.
• If your country is not listed you are a ‘Non-Visa National’.

 I am a Visa National:

You will need to apply for entry clearance as a Student or Child Visitor BEFORE you come to the UK.

You should apply to a British Diplomatic post in your country of residence, and the permission will be in the form of a sticker placed in your passport. The visa also specifies which category it was issued for, e.g. C-VISIT-STUDENT. It is important to make sure that you have been given the correct type of permission, issued for the correct length of time. For further information and application forms for entry clearance, go to the UK Border Agency's website.  

You should apply as a Student Visitor if you are 18 years old or over, and as a Child Visitor if you are under 18 years old.

 I am a Non-Visa National:

You should seek entry clearance as a Student or Child Visitor either BEFORE or UPON ARRIVAL in the UK.

To gain entry clearance BEFORE ARRIVAL in the UK, you should apply to a British Diplomatic post in your country of residence, and the permission will be in the form of a sticker placed in your passport. The visa also specifies which category it was issued for, e.g. C-VISIT-STUDENT. It is important to make sure that you have been given the correct type of permission, issued for the correct length of time. For further information and application forms for entry clearance, go to the UK Border Agency's website

If seeking entry clearance UPON ARRIVAL in the UK at Immigration, your permission will be given in the form of an entry stamp with a handwritten indication of the student status.

You should apply as a Student Visitor if you are 18 years old or over, and as a Child Visitor if you are under 18 years old.

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What do I need to know about the conditions of the Student or Child Visitor status?

• The short course must be completed within the period of the student visitor permission (maximum of six months).
• You will NOT be given permission to work (this includes unpaid work and internships etc).
• You will NOT be able to extend this permission.
• You will have to leave the UK before your permission expires.

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Special Information for Orientation students:

If you are applying to join a pre-sessional Orientation course (one which takes place in the summer, immediately before the start of the main course), you may be able to apply for a Tier 4 visa, and we will send you details.

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I have an Extended Student Visitor Visa (ESVV). Can I do a short course at University of the Arts London?

Unfortunately not. Students with an 11 month ESVV are only permitted to study English while they are in the UK, and you cannot therefore do one of our courses in addition to your English course. 

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What if I have any further questions?

Email the Registration Administrator at ARA@arts.ac.uk

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