Right to Study Checks

What is the ‘right to study’?

The ‘right to study’ means you have the permission to remain in the UK and this permission does not restrict you from studying in the UK, or more specifically, at Aberystwyth University.

Why do we need to check right to study?

We are required by the Home Office to ensure that every student (including UK nationals) studying at the University has the right to study in the UK throughout the whole period of their study. Failure to do so is a breach of our duties as a Student Visa Sponsor and can result in action against us or the revocation of our Student Sponsor Licence.

Who needs a right to study check?

Anyone who wants to register to study a course of any length at Aberystwyth University.

Students who are already registered for a course at Aberystwyth University will be required to show further right to study documents if their existing permission is due to expire.

How can I prove that I have the right to study?

If you are a UK/Irish national you can prove you have the right to study in the UK by providing a copy of your passport / birth certificate / adoption certificate / UK right of abode certificate. You may need to provide proof of name change (normally a marriage certificate or Deed Poll) if the name on your Student Record differs from the name on the document you have provided as evidence of your right to study in the UK.

You have a visa or endorsement, or you may be entitled to remain in the UK because you are the family member of someone who has permission to remain in the UK.

If your immigration status is due to expire shortly after your course commences, or if you have a pending application which may mean we cannot determine if you have the right to study, you may wish to consider deferring your studies until your immigration status has been extended or granted.

Non-UK / Republic of Ireland nationals

If you have provided proof of a visa/immigration status (other than a Student visa) during the application process, you will not ordinarily be required to do so again, unless that proof has expired.

How / when will you need to provide right to study documents?

UK/Irish nationals

You will be required to upload your right to study document/s in advance of arriving at Aberystwyth as part of the ‘Activate’ process. Shortly after you have activated your Aberystwyth University email account you will receive instructions about how to upload your document/s onto a secure upload page.

Non-UK /Irish nationals

If you have been issued a CAS and have a Student Visa you will be invited to attend an International Students Pre-Enrolment Check where you will be asked to provide a number of original documents.

Do I have to provide right to study documents?

Yes. You will not be allowed to register for your course until we have checked your right to study.

You must take responsibility for maintaining your right to study (immigration status) if your permission to stay in the UK is due to expire, or where your circumstances change which affects your immigration status.

The University will suspend or exclude any student who no longer has the right to study in the UK.

What documents/ evidence must I provide?

The tables below provide examples of the most common immigration statuses and visas and outlines what documentation you would need to provide to demonstrate your right to study.

This is not an exhaustive list. If you have any queries about what documentation you should provide, or are having difficulty providing the required documentation, please email rtsstaff@aber.ac.uk for assistance.

Please note that if the name on your Student Record differs from the name on the document you have provided as evidence of your right to study in the UK you will need to provide proof of name change (normally a marriage certificate or Deed Poll).

British or Irish nationals

Nationality

Study restrictions

Documentation required

British or Irish citizen

No restrictions on study

UK / Republic of Ireland Passport

UK birth or adoption certificate issued in the UK / Channel Islands / Isle of Man or Ireland.

Certificate of registration or naturalisation as a British citizen.

UK right of abode certificate.

Non-UK/Republic of Ireland nationals

Immigration Category	Study restrictions
Student Sponsor – sponsored by Aberystwyth University (CMRTYMH23)	No restrictions on study as long as it is for study at Aberystwyth University for the course for which the CAS was assigned. Supplementary study may also be permitted.	Provide a sharecode from: View and prove your immigration status - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) so that your digital visa can be verified. or Proof of a new application submitted using a CAS issued by Aberystwyth University – you will need to show evidence that the application was made before your previous visa expired.
EU Settlement Scheme	No restriction on study	Provide a sharecode from: View and prove your immigration status - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) so that your digital visa/status can be verified. If you have provided proof of your Pre-settled or Settled status under the EU settlement scheme during the application process you will not need to provide this again.
Visit Visa	No restriction on study for up to 6 months	Provide a sharecode from: View and prove your immigration status - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) so that your digital visit visa can be verified. or Visit Visa Stamp in Passport or If using an e-gate at entry (specific countries) proof of flight/entry into UK (i.e. Ticket/boarding pass).
Short-term study visa (English language courses only)	No restriction on study for language courses of up to 11 months	Vignette (with date of entry stamp or other evidence of date of entry into the UK e.g. flight boarding pass) or And for courses over 6 months provide a sharecode from: View and prove your immigration status - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) so that your digital visa can be verified.
Points Based System (Skilled Worker etc.)	No restrictions on study but, depending on your visa type, you may be expected to study part-time only	Provide a sharecode from: View and prove your immigration status - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) so that your digital visa can be verified. or Pending applications: we will need to see evidence of your previous immigration application, evidence that you submitted your application before your previous leave expired, and recent evidence that it is still pending
Points Based System Dependants	No restrictions on study	Provide a sharecode from: View and prove your immigration status - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) so that your digital visa can be verified. or Pending applications: we will need to see evidence of your previous immigration application, evidence that you submitted your application before your previous leave expired, and recent evidence that it is still pending
Spouse / Civil Partner / Unmarried Partner of a British citizen or a settled person	No restrictions on study	Provide a sharecode from: View and prove your immigration status - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) so that your digital visa can be verified. or Pending applications: we will need to see evidence of your previous immigration application, evidence that you submitted your application before your previous leave expired, and recent evidence that it is still pending
Indefinite Leave to Remain/Permission to Stay or Permanent Residence	No restrictions on study Status may be lost if you have been out of the UK for a continuous period of two years or more since Indefinite Leave to Remain was granted	Provide a sharecode from: View and prove your immigration status - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) so that your digital visa can be verified. or Stamp in passport or Letter confirming Indefinite Leave to Remain
Asylum / Refugees / Discretionary leave / Humanitarian protection	No restrictions on study	Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) or Vignette or Immigration Status Document or Letter confirming you have been granted leave to remain
Asylum seekers	Study is usually not permitted unless you hold an Application Registration Card or you have been given permission to work and study on your Immigration Bail Notice	Application Registration Card (ARC)

Pending applications and appeals

If you have an application pending for any of the above immigration categories, or, if you have an outstanding appeal against a Home Office decision to refuse an application for any of the above immigration categories, the University might need to contact the Home Office for confirmation of your right to study before you are able to register for your course. We will ask for your consent before contacting the Home Office. This consent will allow them to share information about you and your immigration history / status.