CAS number applications

If you are an International student, it is likely you will require a Student visa to study in the UK. To apply for a student visa, you will require a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS). The CAS is a unique reference number which confirms that the University has agreed to be your sponsor, and provides information about you and your course to UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI). 

Arranging your CAS number

Arranging the CAS number is one of the tasks completed as part of your Pre-Registration at the University of Sheffield. You will be sent an email inviting you to begin Pre-Registration and giving you access to the Pre-Registration system when:

1. You have accepted an Unconditional offer of a study place at the University; and
2. It is less than four months before the start of your course.

The CAS Application task will appear in the Pre-Registration system when

1. It is less than four months before the start of your course;
2. You have accepted an Unconditional offer of a study place at the University; and
3. You have paid any fee deposit we have requested (postgraduate taught applicants only).

The following table describes the process. Sections in bold text indicate where you need to do something.

We encourage you to apply for your CAS as soon as you are able to. If you are applying from outside the UK and are not intending to use a priority service, you should submit your CAS application to us at least 3 weeks before your course start date.

If you are using a priority service, the final deadline to submit your CAS application to us is 1 week before the latest possible start date for your course. Please visit our New Students webpages for more information on late registration and start dates.

Stage	What will happen	Estimated time
1	The CAS Application task will appear on your Pre-Registration menu	Within 5 working days of you accepting an Unconditional offer of a study place at the University of Sheffield (and paying any associated fee deposit) or Four months before the start of your course (whichever is later)
2	When you are ready to begin the process of arranging your CAS number, you should open the CAS Application task within the Pre-Registration system and follow the on-screen instructions to activate your CAS Application	N/A
3	We will prepare your CAS Application. When the CAS Application is ready for you, it will become visible within the CAS Application task.	Within 2 working days of you activating your CAS Application.
4	You should check that all the CAS Application Information is present and correct (as it appears on your passport and other documents). If any information is missing or incorrect, you will be able to enter the correct information. When all the information is present and correct, you should confirm this by clicking the 'Submit' button.	N/A
5	We will check your CAS application and submit your information to UKVI. If you have made any errors or missed any sections, we will send your application back to you to amend and complete.	Within 5 working days of you confirming your CAS Application Information.
6	UKVI will process your information and they will allocate you a CAS number. They will send this number to the University (not to you).	Within 1 working day of UKVI receiving your CAS Application Information.
7	We will email you confirming that your CAS number has been assigned. You will be able to view the CAS statement which includes your CAS number, and the information we used in your application, by logging back in to your record in the Pre-Registration system.	Within 2 working days of UKVI sending your CAS number to the University.
8	After you have received your CAS number, you can find details of how to make your visa application on the UKVI website. You will be able to apply for your visa a maximum of three months before the date your course is due to start if you are applying from inside the UK, or six month if you are applying from outside the UK.	N/A

Please be aware that when students are issued with a CAS number, they become subject to UKVI rules on monitoring International students. This means that we will have to report you to UKVI if you do not register at the University, or if you do not attend your course.

Frequently asked questions

You can also read our answers to frequently asked questions about the process of arranging a CAS number:

CAS number frequently asked questions