Student Visas

A new system for UK visas is now in place. The system is run by the British Government Immigration Department called the UK Border Agency (UKBA).

Bell is a grade A sponsor on the UKBA Register of Sponsors for all its UK centres. Bell has one sponsor licence in the name of Bell Educational Trust, which covers:

Bell International College, Cambridge
Bell International Institute, London
Bell Bedgebury Language Centre
Bell's Young Learner programmes

Our sponsor licence means we are able to accept students applying for a General (Adult) student or Child student visa. Students will be granted a visa if they satisfy the following conditions:

They are enrolled at an institution on the UK Border Agency Register of Sponsors
They have submitted a visa letter (or CAS after 22nd February 2010)
They can prove they have the necessary funds
Their level of English is high enough for the course they want to attend
They provide proof of English level and a track record in studying
Entry Clearance Officers are satisfied that the documents submitted with their visa application are genuine and match those assessed by Bell .

The Student Visitor and Child Visitor visa routes are not affected by the changes and students can enrol on courses at any level.

For students requiring a visa for UK entry, valid visas for study are:

General (Adult) Student visa
Student Visitor visa
Child Student visa
Child Visitor visa
Dependent visa (e.g. Dependent of a Tier 1 visa holder whose dependents are able to study whilst in the UK)

In general, the General (Adult) Student and Child Student visas are for long-stay students coming for more than 6 months. The Student Visitor and Child Visitor visas are for short-stay students coming for less than 6 months. Short-stay students should only apply for a full visa if they want to work whilst studying here or if they may want to extend their stay while in the UK. We would not provide papers for a Tier 4 visa for a course of less than 12 weeks in duration.

Important:

Tourist visas are no longer valid for study in the UK
If a student arrives at one of our centres with the wrong type of visa, they will not be able to study with us as this would contravene Government Regulations

For further information visit:

British Government’s Visa Services website at: www.ukvisas.gov.uk/en
UK Border Agency website at: www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/

Your guide to the new UK student visa

Below is a video animation which shows a 'student' going through the application process for a General Student visa. It explains the points requirements, what evidence you need to provide with your application, biometrics and entering the UK through passport control.