Doctoral Researchers: Extending Studies

If your studies require ATAS鈥痗learance and you will now need to take more than three months beyond the end date on the CAS used to obtain your current visa permission you should make a new ATAS application to cover you for the new duration of studies.  The Doctoral College Office may require you to apply before confirming any extension request and issuing a new CAS for further Student visa purposes.  You should also have the ATAS clearance for any application for further Student visa permission.  For the purpose of the ATAS application you will have to estimate the new end date, this will depend on the circumstances but you should allow time for examination and corrections.  For example, a reasonable estimate could be 6 months beyond when you expect to submit your thesis to also allow time for examination and corrections.

Not all extensions to studies will require extra visa, for example if you will be able to complete everything within the extra 4 months visa that UKVI generally add beyond the course end date on a CAS.  If you need extra Student visa to complete all studies you can request a new CAS from the Doctoral College Office.  The CAS may cover the period of submission date plus 6 months to allow for examination and corrections or if the examiners have already set a period for corrections the CAS end date may coincide with that.  You can make your Student visa application inside or outside the UK.   Our Student visa application guides include a link for CAS requests and information on the visa application processes. If you apply within the UK, your application must be submitted before your current visa permission ends.

Last updated: 28th March 2024