A CAS letter is the university’s summary of the electronic Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) assigned by a licensed UK student sponsor. Its unique reference number and details support your UK Student visa application. The CAS records information such as your course, study dates, tuition fees, payments made and how your English language requirement was assessed. Under Appendix Student, you must apply using a CAS issued no more than six months before your application. A CAS used in an application that was granted or refused cannot normally be reused. Check all details against your passport, offer and payment records before applying.
A Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) is an electronic record created by a licensed UK Student sponsor in the Home Office system. It confirms that the sponsor is offering you a place on a specific course and provides information required for your Student visa application. Students commonly refer to the university’s CAS summary as a “CAS letter.” The CAS reference number is entered in the visa application.
Last updated: 27 September 2026 Breadcrumb: Home → Study in UK → CAS letter explained
A CAS letter is an important part of the UK Student visa process. Errors in personal details, course dates, fees or payment records may cause delays or require the university to correct the CAS. Before applying, compare the CAS details with your offer letter, passport and deposit receipt. Global Edge provides study-abroad counselling from Green Park, New Delhi, including SPEC9 profile evaluation. For an overview of the wider process, read UK Admission Process: Complete Journey from Shortlisting to Arrival.
What is a CAS letter and what information does it contain?
A CAS confirms that a licensed UK student sponsor intends to sponsor you for a named course. Under Appendix Student ST 23.1, the CAS must include relevant course information, study dates, fees and payments, and details about how the English language requirement was met. It may also include information about qualifications, references, work placements and sponsor-provided accommodation, as applicable.
| CAS detail | What to check | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Personal details | Name, date of birth and passport details | Should match your current passport and application information. |
| Course title and level | Course name and academic level | Should correspond to the course you have accepted. |
| Study dates | Course start and end dates | These details are relevant to visa application timing and the period of permission sought. |
| Tuition fees and payments | Total tuition fee and any payments already made | Helps establish the outstanding tuition amount for financial evidence. |
| Accommodation details | Relevant sponsor-provided accommodation charges and payments | May be relevant to the financial requirement where the rules allow an accommodation offset. |
| English language assessment | Test details or the sponsor’s assessment method | The CAS should record how the English language requirement was met, where applicable. |
| Qualifications and references | Qualifications or references used by the sponsor | Check that the evidence you provide is consistent with the information recorded. |
Appendix Student sets out information that a CAS must contain, including course and fee details, payments already made, and how the English language requirement has been met. The exact information relevant to an individual applicant depends on the course and application circumstances.
Source: Immigration Rules, Appendix Student, including ST 7.5 and ST 7.6.
What should you check on your CAS before applying for a UK Student visa?
Compare your CAS with your passport, offer letter and payment records. Check your personal details, course title, study level, dates, tuition fees, payments and English language assessment information. If you find an error or an important omission, contact your university’s admissions or CAS team and request clarification or correction before submitting your visa application.
- Compare your name, date of birth and passport details with your current passport.
- Check the course title, study level and dates against your accepted offer.
- Confirm that your deposit and any other tuition payments are recorded correctly.
- Review the English language assessment details and any qualifications or references listed.
- Calculate your financial evidence requirements using the current official Student visa guidance.
- Contact the university if information is incorrect or unclear, and follow its instructions before applying.
“The Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies must not have been used in a previous application which was either granted or refused (but could have been relied on in a previous application which was rejected as invalid, made void or withdrawn).”
Myth: A mistake on a CAS can always be corrected after the visa application has been submitted.
Reality: Errors should be raised with the university before applying wherever possible. A CAS used in an application that was granted or refused cannot normally be reused under ST 7.2. If you have already applied, contact your university and follow the relevant official instructions rather than assuming that the existing CAS can be amended or reused.
How long is a CAS letter valid?
Under the supplied Appendix Student rule, a CAS must have been issued no more than six months before the date of your visa application. This is separate from the earliest date you may apply for a Student visa from outside the UK, which is generally six months before your course begins. Check the current rules and your university’s CAS instructions before planning your application.
| Rule or timing point | What it means | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| CAS issue date | The CAS must meet the applicable age requirement when you apply. | Check the issue date and apply within the permitted period. |
| Earliest application date | Applicants applying from outside the UK can generally apply up to six months before the course start date. | Use the course start date recorded by the university and check the current GOV.UK guidance. |
| CAS use | A CAS used in a granted or refused application cannot normally be used again. | Ask the university about a new CAS if you need to make a fresh application. |
| Sponsor status | The sponsor must meet the applicable Student sponsor requirements. | Check the institution against the official register and follow university guidance. |
The supplied University of Sussex source states that its CAS statements are issued from six months before the course start date. This is an example of an institution’s CAS process; other universities may publish different procedures or timelines.
Source: University of Sussex — Tuition fee deposits. Confirm the relevant CAS information with the university’s current official guidance.
For assistance reviewing your CAS against your offer and financial documents, contact Global Edge for a SPEC9 profile evaluation.
What must be completed before a university issues your CAS?
CAS issuance procedures vary by university, course and applicant. Universities may require an unconditional offer, payment of a tuition deposit, completion of document checks or additional verification before issuing a CAS. Some institutions also publish CAS application windows, checks or interviews. Applicants should follow the instructions in their university portal and official CAS guidance rather than assuming that every institution follows the same process.
The supplied draft refers to Hull and Aberdeen deposit requirements, Sheffield CAS application dates, Abertay’s CAS Shield process and Nottingham’s final CAS timing. These are institution-specific details and should be confirmed against the relevant current university pages before publication. For information about deposits, see UK University Deposit: How Much and When to Pay.
For the visa application, the documents required depend on your circumstances. The UK government’s Student visa document guidance explains the evidence applicants may need, including a valid passport and CAS reference, and additional documents where relevant. Financial evidence and any required TB test or other supporting evidence should be checked against the current official guidance. See the Student visa financial requirements page for the latest rules and amounts.
What should Indian students check on their CAS?
Indian applicants should compare the personal details on the CAS with their passport and review the course, dates, fees and payment information carefully. If the university assessed English language ability through its own process rather than relying on a test, check that the CAS reflects the applicable assessment method. Keep the CAS summary, deposit receipt, offer letter and financial evidence together so you can refer to the same information while preparing your application.
For a broader admission-document checklist, read Documents Required for UK University Admission. For visa-related requirements, use the current GOV.UK document checklist and your university’s instructions.
If a deposit has been paid but the CAS does not appear to reflect it, contact the university’s CAS or admissions team and provide the official payment receipt. Ask whether the CAS needs to be updated or whether the university will provide other acceptable evidence. Resolve discrepancies before submitting your application wherever possible.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a CAS letter the same as an offer letter?
No. An offer letter communicates the university’s admissions decision and any conditions attached to the offer. A CAS is a separate electronic sponsorship record created by a licensed Student sponsor for visa purposes. You use the CAS reference number in your Student visa application.
How long is a CAS valid for a UK Student visa?
Under the supplied Appendix Student rule, the CAS must have been issued no more than six months before the visa application. The earliest date you can apply from outside the UK is a separate timing rule. Check the current official guidance and your university’s CAS instructions.
Can I use the same CAS after a visa refusal?
Generally, no. Appendix Student ST 7.2 says a CAS used in an application that was granted or refused cannot be reused. The rule provides different treatment for certain earlier applications rejected as invalid, made void or withdrawn. Contact your university about the CAS required for a fresh application.
What should I do if there is a mistake on my CAS?
Contact the university’s admissions or CAS team and explain the discrepancy. Provide relevant supporting information, such as your passport, offer letter or payment receipt, and follow the university’s correction process. Where possible, resolve the issue before submitting your visa application.
Does the CAS show my tuition deposit?
The CAS should include relevant tuition fee and payment information under the applicable rules. Check that the amount paid is recorded correctly. If a payment is missing or the figures do not match your receipt, ask the university whether it needs to update the CAS or provide other supporting evidence.
When will my university issue my CAS?
The timing depends on the university, course, intake and completion of its required checks. A university may require an unconditional offer, a tuition deposit or other verification before issuing a CAS. Check your applicant portal and the university’s official CAS timeline for the process that applies to you.
The Bottom Line
- Takeaway 1: A CAS is an electronic sponsorship record that supports your UK Student visa application and contains relevant course, fee, payment and English language information.
- Takeaway 2: Check the CAS issue date, application timing and single-use rules against the current Immigration Rules before applying.
- Takeaway 3: Compare every CAS detail with your passport, offer letter, deposit receipt and supporting documents, and raise discrepancies with the university before filing wherever possible.
Global Edge can help students review their application documents and understand the CAS process in Green Park, New Delhi. Universities issue CAS records, while UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) makes Student visa decisions under the applicable rules.
Interested in Studying Abroad?
Book a free counselling session or SPEC9 profile evaluation with Global Edge, study-abroad consultants in Delhi. The team states that it has counselled more than 57,000 students across 21+ countries and assists with university shortlisting, applications, SOPs and LORs, scholarships, education loans, visa file preparation and pre-departure briefings. Contact the team to confirm current services and appointment availability.
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Is my CAS ready for the UK Student visa application?
It is ready to use when the details are accurate, the CAS meets the applicable rules and you have assembled the required supporting evidence.
Check these details:
- Your name, date of birth and passport details match your passport.
- Course title, study level and dates match your accepted offer.
- Tuition fees and payments are recorded correctly.
- English language and qualification details are consistent with your documents.
Pause and clarify if:
- Your tuition deposit is missing or the payment figures do not match your receipt.
- The course details or dates differ from your offer.
- The CAS issue date or your planned application date may fall outside the permitted period.
- You are unsure whether a previous visa application has already used the CAS.
Sources
- UK Immigration Rules — Appendix Student
- GOV.UK — Student visa: documents you must provide
- GOV.UK — Student visa: money you need
- University of Sussex — Tuition fee deposits
- University of Nottingham — Student visa CAS deposits FAQ
- University of Hull — Tuition fee deposits
- University of Aberdeen — PGT Tuition Fee Deposit Policy
- University of Sheffield — Postgraduate deadlines
- Abertay University — International dates and deadlines