Doctorate Extension Scheme

What should I do if I want to apply for a visa through the Doctorate Extension Scheme?

You should go to the Student Advice Centre at 285 Glossop Road for advice on applying through the Doctorate Extension Scheme

Who can apply through the Doctorate Extension Scheme?

Students applying under the Doctorate Extension Scheme will need to meet the following criteria:

• You need to apply inside the UK.
• You need to have a valid Tier 4 visa to study a PhD or other Doctorate level degree at the University of Sheffield at the time your application is submitted to the Home Office.
• You need to submit the application to the Home Office no more than 60 days before the course completion date stated on the new CAS that is issued for your Doctorate Extension Scheme application. (If you submit your application to the Home Office after the course completion date on your new CAS, the application will be refused)
• You will also need to meet all other Tier 4 requirements including scoring 40 points for your CAS and maintenance.
• IMPORTANT NOTE - PhD students that have left the UK and have an expired visa are able apply for a 6 month Student Visitor Visa to return to the UK for the purpose of sitting their viva. Please note that if you do this, you will not be able to extend your visa in the UK under the Doctorate Extension Scheme. If you wish to extend your visa under the Doctorate Extension Scheme after completing your PhD, you should to contact SSiD to request a CAS number in order to apply for a normal Tier 4 visa in order to sit your viva and complete your PhD.

When should I apply for my new CAS number for the Doctorate Extension Scheme?

Students with corrections to submit after viva You should go to SSiD to ask for a Doctorate Extension Scheme CAS request form around one month before the expected resubmission or final library copy submission date. You should then take this to your supervisor for them to provide an accurate expected submission or resubmission date, after which you should return to the Student Advice Centre for further advice. SSiD will only be able to issue the CAS number once there is less 60 days or less yet before the expected completion date of your course. The expected completion date of your course stated on your CAS will be 8 weeks after your resubmission or submission date.

Students with no corrections after viva You should go to the Student Advice Centre for advice and to SSiD to apply for your Doctorate Extension Scheme CAS urgently, immediately after sitting your viva. It is very important that you do this as a matter of urgency as if you submit an application under the Doctorate Extension Scheme to the Home Office after your PhD has been awarded, the application will be refused.

What visa responsibilities will I have under the Doctorate Extension Scheme?

Please see the "Doctorate Extension Scheme Declaration" at the right hand side of this page. You will be required to sign this declaration when applying for your Doctorate Extension Scheme CAS from SSiD. The declaration outlines what responsibilities you will need to adhere to whilst you are in the UK on your Doctorate Extension Scheme visa.

Any questions?

If you have any further questions on applying for a visa under the Doctorate Extension Scheme, please contact the Student Advice Centre at advice@sheffield.ac.uk or telephone them on 0114 222 8660