Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS)

This information will help you understand what interviewers look for and how to prepare clear and confident answers.

1. Your course

Be ready to explain:

• Why did you choose your specific course
• What makes it better than similar courses in your home country or other UK universities
• Why the University of Sunderland (or your UK university) is your best choice.

Learn at least two to three modules in detail, including:

• What you'll study
• How are they assessed
• What do you like about them?

2. Your educational background

The interviewer may ask about:

• Your past studies
• How they connect to your chosen course
• Any changes in study (and why)
• Any breaks in your education (and what you did instead).

It's important to be honest and clear.

3. Your career goals

Show how your course will help your future career. Clear plans make you more credible. Be specific:

• What job do you want after graduating?
• Which companies or sectors interest you?
• How will this UK degree help you reach that goal?

4. The city you will live in

You should be able to talk about:

• What do you know about Sunderland
• Local areas, attractions, or activities you might explore
• Why the city is suitable for students.

Avoid generic answers – give real examples from your research.

5. Your accommodation

You don’t need to have booked accommodation, but you must show you have thought about:

• Areas you might live in
• Types of accommodation available
• Approximate rent prices
• Your estimated living costs (food, bills, transport).

This shows you are prepared.

6. Your immigration history

You may be asked about:

• Any previous travel to the UK or other countries
• The purpose of past visas
• If any visas were refused.

Stay honest and give simple, factual answers.

7. Your finances

You must show you clearly know:

• How will you pay for your studies and living costs
• Who is providing the money
• Their job and income (if family-funded)
• Where did any large savings come from?

Remember:

• You can work up to 20 hours per week during term time (degree level and above)
• But part-time work cannot be your main source of money.

The UKVI wants to see that you have enough money to support yourself.

8. Communicate clearly in English

You must be able to:

• Understand the interviewer
• Speak clearly and confidently
• Answer questions without help.

Even if you have passed an English test, practice speaking regularly.

9. Your plans after you graduate

• You must show:
• You plan to finish your studies
• You will leave the UK when your visa expires (unless legally switching visas)
• Your future plans are realistic and related to your course.

Avoid giving the impression that you want to stay in the UK permanently.

10. Explain why you chose the UK

The UKVI wants to know you’ve done your research. Be ready to say:

• Why did you choose the UK instead of other countries
• Which other countries did you consider
• Why the UK was the best choice
• Why your university stood out to you.

Focus on academics, reputation, and career benefits, not just work opportunities.

Final tips for a successful interview

• Speak clearly and confidently
• Keep your answers honest and consistent
• Show you have researched your course, university, city, and finances
• Prove you are a genuine student with real academic and career plans.

Your bank statement must show:

• Your name
• Account number
• Date of statement
• Name and logo of bank/building society
• That the required funds have been held consistently in your account for 28 days and haven't fallen below the minimum amount needed
• That the funds in this account must be present until the closing balance of the statement or the production date of the statement.

The statement must be no older than 31 days. There must also be enough time left on this limit to allow you to make your visa application.

In line with UK Home Office requirements, your bank statement must be stamped and signed on each page by your bank.

Microfinance, shares, bonds, overdrafts, credit cards, pension funds, and similar savings accounts aren't accepted.

Joint bank statements must show all the same information listed in 'Money in your own bank account' (see above). These statements must also show names of both account holders. If this is your parents, your name won't need to be shown – see the section on 'Parent's bank statement' for more information.

If this is a joint account with your spouse, both names must appear on the statement.

If you don’t have a bank statement, you can provide a letter from your bank which has been stamped and signed by a staff member in your local branch. This can also be printed on letterhead paper from the bank. This letter must include the following information:

• Your name
• Your account number
• The date the letter was written
• Name and logo of bank/building society
• Confirmation of amount held in the account
• That the funds in this account haven't fallen below the minimum amount required for the full 28 consecutive day period
• That funds are freely and immediately available to you at any given time.

You can use money in a bank account held by one or both of your parents instead of your own personal account. If using a parent's bank statement as proof of funds, you must also provide the below as additional evidence:

• An original copy of your birth certificate as proof of relationship. If needed, this must also be translated into English by an official translator (Affidavits can't be used as they're not accepted by the UK Home Office or the University of Sunderland).
• A signed letter from your parents confirming they're happy for you to have access to funds in their account.

If you're using your spouse’s bank statement to demonstrate proof of funds, this must meet all the criteria listed under 'Money in your own bank account' (see above).

The bank statement must be accompanied by proof of relationship (e.g. marriage certificate) and a letter of consent stating your spouse has granted you permission to use their funds to support your studies. We can only accept a spouse’s bank statement as your financial evidence if the spouse is travelling with you to the UK as a dependant.

If you wish to use an educational loan for your financial evidence, this must be:

• In your own name
• From a bank that's regulated by an official regulatory body for providing educational loans in your country
• Dated no more than six months before the date of your Student visa application.

As additional evidence, you must provide a supporting letter from the bank confirming the loan has been approved. The letter must be an original and must show:

• Your name
• The date the letter was produced
• The financial institution's name and logo
• That the money available as an educational loan is provided by your national, state government, a government-sponsored student loan company, or is part of an academic or educational loan scheme
• The start date of the loan.

The funds for the loan must be available to you before you travel to the UK, unless the loan is an educational or student loan from your country’s national government and will be given to you, or the University directly, when you arrive in the UK.

There must be no conditions placed on the release of the loan funds to you, other than your Student visa application being successful.

The UKVI defines an official sponsor as one of the below:

• The UK Government or the government in your home country
• The British Council
• An international organisation
• An international company.

If your official financial sponsor is paying your tuition fees and living expenses, you don't have to provide separate evidence of your savings. However, you must provide a letter from your official financial sponsor confirming that they'll cover these costs.

This letter must be on official letterhead paper showing the below information:

• Your name
• The names of your dependants (if applicable)
• The name and contact details of the official sponsor
• The date of the letter (this shouldn't be more than six months old)
• The length of the sponsorship – start and end date
• The amount of money the sponsor is giving you, or confirmation that they'll pay your tuition fees and living expenses
• The official stamp of the organisation.

If your sponsor only pays some of the costs, you'll need a letter from them, and proof that you have enough money yourself to meet the rest of the requirements (such as personal bank statements).

All financial evidence can be submitted via the myApplication portal.

Please note, we may ask you to supply us with additional financial evidence at any point to carry out further verification checks on your financial evidence.

The Home Office expects you to progress to the next academic level and will only grant a visa for same level study by exception. If you wish to study for another UK degree which is the same level as your first degree (whether undergraduate or postgraduate), we'll ask you to write a personal statement explaining why you need this qualification to progress in your career. We'll then assess whether we can progress your application to the next stage in the CAS process or not.

If you'd like to discuss your previous qualifications and eligibility to apply, please contact international.office@sunderland.ac.uk.

If you've failed to complete a degree at the same level in the UK previously, we'll only progress your application by exception. We'll ask to see documentation to demonstrate good cause for failing to complete your course, for example, medical reports, before deciding whether we can progress your application.

You can request a review if your application is rejected based on the answers you've provided in your pre-CAS questionnaire. Please email immigrationcompliance@sunderland.ac.uk quoting your student number and request a review. A member of the team will reassess your original submission and decide whether to overturn the decision or not.