In October 2020, the UK Government introduced the new Points Based System (PBS) whereby Tier 4 is replaced by the UK Visas & Immigration (UKVI) Student Route. Under the UKVI Student Route all UK educational institutions require a UKVI approved sponsor licence to recruit and retain EU, EEA, Swiss Nationals and Non-European Economic Area (Non-EEA) students on a UK Student Route visa. The University of Portsmouth has a track record of UKVI Student Route Sponsor status and holds a UKVI Student Route and UKVI Skilled Worker licence under one sponsor licence.
Annually the University is assessed by UKVI on whether the institution meets core requirements to retain its UKVI Student Route licence, and the University is audited by UK Visas & Immigration every four years. Corporate Governance strategically manages the ongoing sustainability, development and efficiency of the University's UKVI Student Route licence and its associated risks, to ensure the safeguarding of the University's UKVI Student Route licence, which support the University's Global Engagement Strategy and its international reputation.
The University's UKVI Student Compliance framework is referred to by University professional and academic staff, applicants, students and relevant external agencies, to ensure the University is working in accordance with current UKVI Student Compliance regulations.
Learn more about Student Visas for students applying to the University of Portsmouth.
The Sponsor Management System and Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies
UKVI’s database, the Sponsor Management System (SMS), is used to assign all Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) and to report UKVI University sponsored students. Relevant staff in Professional Services have access to the SMS. Through the SMS, a student is issued with a CAS. The CAS acts as support for the student to come to the UK to study or, in the case of visa extensions, to continue their studies in the UK. Students cannot apply for a visa or visa extension without a CAS number, generated and sponsored by the University.
See our student advice on applying for a visa to study at the University of Portsmouth.
University UKVI Strategic Monitoring and Compliance Group
The University's UKVI Strategic Monitoring and Compliance Group is chaired by the Executive Director of Corporate Governance and has members from Corporate Governance, Department of Student and Academic Administration (DSAA), Careers and Employability, Human Resources, Finance, the Faculties and UoP Global. The group oversees activity in the University to ensure compliance with the UKVI Student Route, the Skilled Worker Route and the Temporary Worker-Government Authorised Exchange, agrees relevant operational practice and proposes University policy, as appropriate in line with UKVI Student Route and co-ordinates PBS related communication and training.
UKVI Student Route Policies and Processes
These are a suite of University UKVI Student Route policy documents, to ensure that the University of Portsmouth is compliant with current legislation, and supports the safeguarding of the University’s UKVI Student Route licence and delivers the best service to applicants and students. These policies should be read in conjunction with each other. The University is entitled to revise its policies and procedures relating to compliance with its UKVI Student Route sponsor duties at any time and will usually do so where there have been any applicable changes to sponsorship requirements made by UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) Directorate.
The policies are next due for review in autumn 2022/spring 2023 in advance of the 2023–24 academic year but will be amended for re-approval sooner if appropriate, for example in response to University or UKVI Policy change.
The policies should be read alongside The Home Office's Student and Child Student Policy Guidance, Student Sponsor Guidance and the Immigration Rules.
The Executive Director of Corporate Governance is the Authorising Officer and the Principal UKVI Compliance Manager is the Key Contact for UKVI and has overall responsibility for the University’s relationship with UKVI. The Principal UKVI Compliance Manager is the University’s UKVI Student Compliance expert and has the strategic responsibility for ensuring that the University complies with UKVI requirements as outlined in their Policy Guidance and ensures the safeguarding of the University's UKVI Student Route licence.
UKVI Student Route Compliance Policy
This document defines the University policy for compliance with the Home Office UKVI regulations relating to students on the UKVI Student Route, sponsored by the University. The UK Visas & Immigration Directorate of the Home Office (UKVI) requires Higher Education Institutions to undertake a range of duties and responsibilities as Sponsors of students on the UKVI Student Route. These focus on issuing of Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS); Record Keeping and Monitoring and Reporting Duties.
Academic Council approved the policy on 23 March 2021, the updated version was approved by the University Global Engagement Committee on 27 January 2021. This version is edition 3.
UKVI Student Route Compliance Policy
English Language Policy for UKVI Student Route
Sponsors of the UKVI Student Route must ensure that students have met the UKVI language requirements for non-UK students requiring a UKVI Student Route Visa or Part-time UKVI Student Route Visa to study in the UK. This policy stipulates the University's English Language criteria, which will be accepted for students on the UKVI Student Route. Applicants on the UKVI Student Route must meet the Home Office English language proficiency requirements, in all four components of language learning, (reading, writing, listening and speaking) for visa purposes only. In addition all applicants must meet the University’s English Language entry criteria.
The English Language requirements set out in this policy need to be assessed in conjunction with the University of Portsmouth entry requirements database for international qualifications, which will outline country specific English Language requirements and waivers.
The updated version was approved by the University Global Engagement Committee on 27 January 2021. This version is edition 4.
English Language Policy for UKVI Student Route
Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) Issuance Policy
This document sets out the University of Portsmouth's policy regarding the issuance of a Confirmation for Acceptance of Studies (CAS) for applicants and students on the UKVI Student Route. This policy is for the use of University staff responsible for issuing CAS, for International Student Advisers who are responsible for advising applicants and students on the UKVI Student Route and for UKVI Student Route applicants and current UKVI Student Route students at the University of Portsmouth. All staff involved in issuing CAS or advising applicants and students on UKVI Student Route process must ensure that the policy is adhered to accordingly.
Academic Council approved the policy on 23 March 2021. This version is edition 2.
Certificate of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) Issuance Policy
See our Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) information for students.
Contact us
If you require more information, please contact:
For current students: international.student.adviser@port.ac.uk
Prospective students and applicants: student-visa@port.ac.uk