International students need a visa to legally enter and study in the UK. Depending on the length of your study programme at PHBS-UK, you will need either a visa invitation letter or a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) from PHBS-UK to submit as part of your UK visa application.
Students studying in the UK for less than six months will usually apply for a Standard Visitor visa and do not need a CAS. This may include visiting students, executive program students, and summer school students.
A visa invitation letter will be issued before the program starts by PHBS-UK via phbsuk@pku.org.uk.
Students enrolled on the Master's in International Finance program (国际金融管理硕士) and Cross-Border Master's in Finance or Management will usually need to apply for a UK Student route visa, unless they already hold a valid immigration status that allows them to study in the UK.
Students who require a Student route visa will receive a link to complete an online information form and upload the required documents.
Unless you already have the right to study in the UK without a Student route visa, you will need a CAS to apply for a UK Student route visa.
A CAS is an electronic record produced by PHBS-UK and shared with UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI). It confirms that you have been accepted to study and includes key information about your program, tuition fees, and eligibility to apply for a Student route visa.
Please provide a copy of your undergraduate degree certificate and/or final transcript.
You may also submit a printout of your qualification or transcript results from the awarding body's official online checking service. The printout must clearly show your name, the title and date of the award, and the name of the awarding body.
If any certificates or transcripts are not in English, you must also provide a certified English translation. Please see the section on translations below.
This requirement is typically met by Academic IELTS for UKVI, with 6.5 overall and 5.5 in each skill. This is a separate requirement from Peking University admission process, and an academic IELTS or TOEFL is not acceptable.
You may not need to prove your knowledge of English if:
If you do not have qualifications above that prove your knowledge of English, you will need to pass a Secure English Language Test (SELT) at B2 level to meet this requirement, typically by taking the Academic IELTS for UKVI. UKVI website lists the approved centre outside UK.
Some students are not required to submit financial evidence with their visa application. This may apply if:
However, you might still be asked to provide this evidence before you get a decision on your application. If you do need to provide it, you'll be contacted by UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) after you've submitted your application.
All students are advised to prepare financial evidence regardless of your nationality in case of a spot check. You must inform the Visa Team if you are asked to provide additional financial evidence so the team can provide relevant guidance to minimize the risk of visa refusal.
[Guidance on how to prepare the financial evidence]
Minimum Balance
The minimum required balance is calculated using the following formula:
Students who are required by UKVI to provide financial evidence must provide valid evidence to visa@pku.org.uk for review before a CAS can be issued.
Students who are exempt from submitting financial evidence, including Chinese students on the International Finance programme, may still send their documents voluntarily for a check.
Please note that the PHBS-UK Visa Team can review the financial evidence based on UKVI guidance. However, the team cannot act as an immigration adviser and will not be responsible for the visa application outcome.
You may need to provide a tuberculosis (TB) test certificate, depending on your travel/residence history.
Please check the UKVI website to confirm whether a TB test certificate is required in your circumstances.
All supporting documents for a Student route visa application must be in English.
If you submit a document issued overseas, such as a bank statement, birth certificate, or qualification document, and it is not in English, you must provide a certified English translation alongside the original copy of the document.
The translation must include:
Once all documents are ready, please complete the PHBS-UK Incoming Student Information Collection Form as soon as possible.
The CAS deadline is 15 August 2026.
Before issuing you the actual CAS, the PHBS-UK Visa Team will send you a provisional CAS statement so that you can check the details carefully. Once confirmed, a CAS will usually be assigned within 5 working days.
Apply on the UK government website when you are ready.
When completing your application, please use official guidance, such as UKCISA website or Student route caseworker guidance.
You will need to pay the visa application fee (currently £558) and the Immigration Health Surcharge (currently £776 per year) at the end of your application. The Immigration Health Surcharge is your health insurance in the UK, and you can access free NHS service from the date your visa starts, while additional charges may still apply for some medical/dental services.
You will also need to attend a visa application centre to provide your biometric information, including your fingerprints and photograph. Depending on your country of application, you may also be able to use priority services for an additional fee. Please check the website of your local UK Visa Application Centre for country-specific procedures, appointment information, and document submission instructions.
You should wait until your visa application has been approved before making final travel arrangements.
Visa decisions usually take around 15 working days, unless you have paid for a priority service. Delay may be expected in the summer and UKVI will email you if it takes longer to process your application.
You will be notified via email. Please follow the steps below to ensure a smooth transition to the UK.
UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) may invite you to attend a credibility interview as part of the Student Route visa application process.
The interviews are carried out at the visa application centre as part of the appointment where you provide your biometrics (fingerprints). If you are asked to attend an interview you will need to speak to a UKVI officer. The officer will ask you questions, which may include:
The officer will consider this interview along with the supporting documents you submit with your visa application when they consider their decision to grant your visa.
If your visa application is refused, please email a scanned copy of all pages of your refusal notice to visa@pku.org.uk as soon as possible. The PHBS-UK Visa Team will review the refusal notice and guide you towards the next steps, which may include submitting a new application or requesting an administrative review.
If you notice any errors on your visa or eVisa, please inform us promptly. The Home Office requires visa errors to be corrected, and PHBS-UK may also be required to notify UKVI if a student has been issued incorrect visa conditions.
You are required to attend all timetabled classes, meetings with tutors or supervisors, and any other arranged sessions. You must [apply for leave] to the lecturer, Academic Programme Director and Director of the Administrative Office if you cannot attend a class.
We will check and confirm your attendance and engagement during the year; If you do not meet PHBS-UK's academic engagement requirements, we will withdraw sponsorship and report this to UKVI, which may lead to your visa being cancelled.
Your student visa may allow limited working rights. It will be stated on your visa if you can work and the number of hours you are allowed to work per week. A week is defined as a 7-day period starting on a Monday and ending on the following Sunday.
Your hourly limit includes any paid work, unpaid work, voluntary work or otherwise and internships. You must not work beyond your allowed working hours or carry out any prohibited work. Breach of working rights can result in cancellation of your visa, fines and/or a ban on entry to the UK.
Prepare your passport and share code for visa check during the induction week, or you can send these to visa@pku.org.uk prior to your arrival.
If you apply for a new visa or a new passport at any point during your studies, you must email a copy of your passport and share code to visa@pku.org.uk so that your student record can be updated.
You must keep both PHBS-UK and UKVI informed of any changes to your personal details, contact details, immigration status, or study circumstances during your time in the UK.
You must inform PHBS-UK by emailing studentsupport@pku.org.uk, AND update your UKVI account if you change your:
You must also contact visa@pku.org.uk immediately if your immigration status changes, for example if you switch into another visa category. You will need to provide evidence of your new immigration status so that PHBS-UK can update your student record, including your visa type and expiry date.
PHBS-UK is required to report certain significant changes in your studies to UKVI. These may include withdrawal, interruption of study, or changes to your program, study location, or course duration. Changes to your course may affect your visa and could require you to leave the UK and apply for a new visa.
Email: visa@pku.org.uk
Tel: +44 1865957600 (Extension 214)
Office Hour: 9:00 - 17:30 Monday to Friday
