Study/time limit extensions

Study extension (PGT)

If you're a taught postgraduate student and require a study extension to submit your dissertation, please apply through your department for approval.

You should check with your department if you are expected to remain in the UK and will continue to be supervised for the extension period, or if you have the flexibility to return home and submit from overseas instead.

If your current visa does not cover your new course end date then you will need to either:

• Leave the UK before your visa expiry date and complete your studies from overseas
• Apply for a new visa in good time before your current visa expiry date (you will need to request a new CAS for this)

To receive a new CAS

After your extension has been approved you can visit this webpage to request a CAS to apply for a new Student visa to complete your studies in the UK.

Please note that a new CAS will only be issued if your department confirms that you will continue to be supervised and that your attendance will be recorded. When emailing your CAS request please also include or attach email evidence from your department that confirms this is the case, or the team can check with your department directly.

Applying for a new Student visa

A study extension doesn't exempt you from meeting the ‘academic progression’ rules that decide if you can apply for your new visa in the UK or not. You can read more about academic progression rules here.

For most postgraduate taught extensions you must apply for your new visa from outside the UK. This is unless you previously repeated any modules during the course which means you would then be exempt from the academic progression requirements.

If you leave the UK during your extension period

If you leave the UK with the intention of completing your studies from overseas during your extension period you must inform the University by completing an online form. Before doing this you should ensure you understand how this impacts your visa and eligibility to apply for the Graduate visa in future. You should read this webpage for more information and to inform the University:

Change of location

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Time limit extension (PGR)

Extension to complete PhD

Once your extension has been approved, you must apply for your visa before your new course end date or your visa expiry date (whichever is sooner).

Submitted thesis and awaiting viva

If you've submitted your thesis and awaiting your viva you can either:

• Apply for a Student Visa extension inside the UK if your Student or Tier 4 visa is still valid. A CAS can only be issued for this if your expected or actual viva date is still in the future at the time the CAS is issued
• Leave the UK before your visa expires and return for the viva using a Visitor Visa.

With a Student Visa, your new visa expiry date will be your current thesis submission date or actual viva date + four months.

Minor corrections (three months), major corrections (six months) and resubmission (12 months) without a second viva

You can apply for a Student visa extension inside the UK if:

• you have received the outcome of your viva before your current visa expires, and
• your new course end date is after your current visa expires

Your new visa expiry date will be four months after your new course end date.

Resubmission (12 months) with a second viva

You can apply for a Student Visa extension inside the UK if:

• you have received the outcome of your viva before your current visa expires, and
• your new course end date is after your current visa expires

Your new visa expiry date will be your resubmission date or actual 2nd viva date + four months

Alternatively, you could leave the UK before your visa expires and return for the second viva using a Visitor visa.

If you complete your course with a Visitor visa you will not be eligible for the Graduate Immigration Route.

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How to extend your study/time limit

1. Discuss your proposed study extension with your supervisor/academic advisor in your department.
2. Use our self-help tool for information on the actions you're required to take regarding your visa.
3. Visit the following pages to apply:
   Information for Taught students
   Information for PGR students
4. If your extension is approved you'll receive confirmation to your University email.

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Financial implications

You may be required to pay an extension fee as a result of your study/time limit extension.

If you're a PGT student, your study extension may also impact on tuition fees (paid or due).

If you finish before the extension deadline you are eligible for a pro rata refund of the extension fee.

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Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS)

If your course requires ATAS clearance and your course end date is extended by more than 3 months, you must apply for new ATAS clearance.

Your new ATAS certificate will only be valid for six months.

If you submit your visa application more than 6 months after the new ATAS is issued, you'll need to apply for ATAS clearance again before applying for the visa.

For more information on how to apply:

Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS)