Student visa rights and responsibilities

It is important that you understand all of your Student visa rights and responsibilities. You are responsible for your immigration status in the UK, and you will need to abide by the conditions of your Studevisa permission.

Important information

UK Immigration law is complex, and it is important that you are fully aware of your rights and responsibilities. It is important that you seek professional advice before making changes to your studies. In the UK, it is illegal to give immigration advice unless you are fully trained and regulated. We provide a fully trained and regulated immigration advisory service, and are the only people in the University who are permitted to give immigration advice to students. We are happy to help you, and you can contact us via our enquiry form.

 

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Your Student visa is granted to allow you to study in the UK. 

You can:

  • Study a full-time programme with your sponsor (The University of Edinburgh)
  • Take additional studies with your sponsor or other institution (providing it does not interfere with your main course of study)
  • Work in certain jobs (how much depends on what you’re studying and whether you’re working in or out of term-time)

Find out more about working in the UK


Your Student visa has specific restrictions. 

You must not:

  • Claim public funds
  • Work as a self-employed person
  • Engage in business activity
  • Work as an entertainer, sportsperson or coach
  • Study your main programme with a higher education provider that is not the student sponsor of your visa
    • If you wish to study at another institution, you must apply for a visa for that institution before you can begin your programme
  • Overstay your visa in the UK (stay beyond visa expiry date), unless you have made a valid in-time visa extension inside the UK

Working in the UK guidance

Read more about public funds on the UK Government website


You must inform UKVI of any changes to your current address or personal details. You should regularly update your online (eVisa) UKVI account details. If you change your personal details (such as your name or nationality), or receive a new passport, you must inform the Student Immigration Team as well as UKVI. 

Update your eVisa UKVI account details - GOV.UK

 

You are responsible for all of the following:

  • Keeping the University up to date with your address, email address and telephone number
    • Student Self-Service, login to MyEd and then go to Accounts > Progression > My student record
  • Providing the University with a sharecode when you receive a new visa
  • Attending all  classes, lectures and seminars, or if you are a research student, engaging regularly with your supervisor
    • If you cannot attend for any reason, you must inform your School or supervisor, and get permission for your absence
  • Seeking immigration advice in a timely fashion
    • If you make any changes to your studies, such as changing the end date or taking breaks, your visa may be affected
    • It is important to speak to a Student Immigration Adviser before making any changes
  • If ATAS is required,ensuring that you obtain a new ATAS certificate when there are changes to your programme or when you apply for a new visa
  • Ensuring that you leave the UK, or apply to extend your stay, before the expiry date of your visa

How to update your student record details

Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) guidance

At end of studies guidance


Student visa attendance requirement

The requirements depend on the type and level of your programme (taught or research). You must attend and engage on your course in order to maintain your Student visa status and remain registered on your programme. The conditions of your Student visa mean that you cannot study your programme remotely. You are required to attend your programme's in-person teaching and supervisory sessions. 

Prolonged periods of non-attendance can result in School escalation action, with a possible withdrawal of student visa sponsorship and withdrawal from your programme.You must:

  • Regularly attend any timetabled or expected studies in person.
  • Complete all your assessments and attend all exams.
  • Notify your school of any absences as well as any ongoing issues which may impact your physical attendance. You should refer to your course handbook on how best to inform your school about these.
  • Attend any agreed meetings with university staff, such as your supervisor or support and wellbeing staff in your school.
  • Regularly check your emails for important communications about your attendance and engagement, and respond within the required time frame.

 

Below Degree Level

Below degree level programmes may include the pre-sessional English or International Foundation Programme.

We have a duty to check a student visa holder's academic engagement and attendance in a specific way and regularly. This is part of our UKVI student sponsor licence duties.

These include the following:

  • Check if any student has stopped engaging with their studies
  • Help students who are not engaging to start participating again
  • Keep records of why a student is not engaging and what the University is doing to help
  • Have clear rules about when the University must stop sponsoring a student's visa due to lack of engagement

If you're having trouble attending classes or engaging with your studies, you should contact the Centre of Open Learning

 

Degree Level (Undergraduate or above)

Degree level programmes may include an MA, BA Honours, MSc or a doctorate/PhD.

We must check a student visa holder's academic engagement and attendance in a specific way and regularly. This is part of our UKVI student sponsor licence duties. Student visa holders are expected to be in attendance on their programme and actively engaged (as stated in the Degree Programme Tables and programme handbooks).  

These include the following:

  • Attending all required lectures, seminars, and tutorials; undertaking required laboratory work; submitting essays, assignments and attending examinations; and/or undertaking research or fieldwork
  • Actively engaging with their studies frequently and regularly

International Student Attendance and Engagement Policy


As your sponsor, the University has agreed to be responsible for you while your visa is valid. We have a number of legal obligations which must be fulfilled.

Recording duties

The University must keep a record of:

  • Your current address, email address and telephone number
  • Your current visa
  • Your attendance at classes/seminars/lectures/etc. or other engagement with your studies

Reporting duties

The University is required to inform the Home Office if you fail to enrol on time. 

You are required to enrol at the University by the latest start date on your CAS. If you cannot arrive by that time, you must arrange a later start date with your School, and let us know so we can tell UKVI.

If you cannot arrange a later start date, the University must tell UKVI that you will not start your programme, and your Student visa will be cancelled. You must not attempt to travel to the UK using your Student visa. 

If you defer your studies, the University will tell UKVI and your visa will be cancelled. You will need to apply for a new Student visa to begin your studies at a later date.


Programme changes

Changing your programme of studies may affect the validity of your Student visa.

Changes to your studies

 

 


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