Time Limits to Study

On 6 April 2012 the UK government (UK Border Agency) introduced limits to the amount of time that can be spent studying in the UK on a Tier 4 (General) student visa or a pre-Tier 4 visa (referred to as a student visa).

It is very important that you are aware of this rule as it could affect your studies in the UK. Please read the information on this webpage very carefully.

The amount of time that you are allowed to spend in the UK with a Tier 4 (General) student visa or a student visa is generally limited to a maximum of five years if you are studying at undergraduate and/or Masters level.

There are some exceptions to this five year rule:

1. If you have successfully completed an undergraduate course that is at least four or five years long, you are permitted to study in the UK for six years. This only applies to courses where the minimum duration was four of five years, for example, a degree with a compulsory year abroad. It does not apply to courses that were originally three years long but took four years to complete due to a re-sit/repeat period.
2. If you are studying one of the following courses: architecture, medicine, dentistry or law
3. If you are studying for a PhD. The UK Border Agency (UKBA) has not introduced a limit on the amount of time that can be spent studying for a PhD. However, if you have spent more than eight years studying in the UK on a student visa by the time that you complete your PhD, you will not be granted another student visa by the UK Border Agency.

When calculating how much time you have spent studying in the UK with student leave, the UKBA will count:

1. Periods of study with a Tier 4 (General) student visa at the University of Sheffield and/or
2. Periods of student with a student visa at the University of Sheffield and
3. Periods of study at any other institution in the UK at degree level or above with either a Tier 4 (General) student visa or student visa
4. Any periods of leave of absence whilst your Tier 4 (General) student visa or student visa remained valid.

The UK Border Agency will not count time spent in the UK with a valid visa after your course end date.

The UK Border Agency will not count time spent studying with any other type of visa, for example, a dependant visa.

When you apply for a CAS number to start a new course or to complete an existing course, you will be asked how much time you have spent studying in the UK with a Tier 4 (General) student visa or a student visa. It is very important that you answer this question accurately. If the amount of time that you have already spent studying in the UK means that you cannot complete the course for which you are applying you will be contacted by the University’s Admissions Services. If you will not be able to complete the course for which you are currently registered, you will be contacted by an immigration adviser.

If you are a current student, you need to consider whether these new rules will affect you:

1. Make sure that you complete your studies within the time limits set by the UKBA. The UKBA will only consider granting extra time to an individual in ‘compelling and compassionate circumstances’ (serious illness or bereavement)
   
2. Be aware that time spent on a Tier 4 (General) student visa or a student visa whilst on a leave of absence might count towards the time limit, even if you leave the UK during this period
   
3. Consider whether you will be granted any further student leave if you wish to progress to another course after you have completed your current programme of study.

The amount of time that you can spend studying below degree is three years. This rule is not new and has been in force for some time.

If, after reading the information above, you have any questions please email international.students@sheffield.ac.uk