Postgraduate Taught Students
Visa guidance for postgraduate taught students at Newcastle University.
Taught Masters students are studying at degree level (RQF 7) and have clear rules and conditions for study under Tier 4 or Student Route.
Most students will receive a CAS to apply for a visa to cover the whole of their master’s programme, but if there are changes to your study plans or personal circumstances, you may need to make a further Student Route application either in the UK or in your home country.
The Visa Support Team can help you with your Student Route application in the UK - see Applying for the Student Route Visa for further information.
Click on a section below for specific advice for postgraduate taught students.
Requirements for making a Student Route application in the UK
There are specific requirements for students making a Student Route application in the UK.
If you have an offer from Newcastle University and are already in the UK, or are already studying at Newcastle University, and you meet all appropriate Student Route requirements, you can get help with your Student Route application from the Visa Support Team.
English language requirements
The Student Route has specific English language requirements for students studying at degree level. Please see the list of acceptable English language evidence for The Student Route sponsorship.
Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS)
A limited number of undergraduate programmes lead to a qualification at masters level (RQF7) and may require ATAS clearance.
If you are making a Student Route application for a programme which requires a ATAS clearance, please visit the ATAS page and the UKCISA website for further details.
Switching to another Masters programme at Newcastle University
If you would like to transfer to another Master’s programme before you have completed your original programme, this can have implications for your Tier 4 or Student Route visa.
Before you make any decisions about transferring to another programme, you must ask the Visa Support Team for advice on how this could affect your Tier 4 or Student Route visa.
Moving to a new programme at Newcastle University
If you have completed a Master’s degree at Newcastle University and you are moving to a new programme here, you can register for your new programme on your existing visa.
You must, however, make a Student Route application within 6 weeks of registering on your new programme, or before your visa expires, whichever is sooner.
Working in the UK during your studies
Tier 4 and Student Route students studying at degree level should be granted a visa which states that they are permitted to work up to 20 hours per week during term-time. You should check that your visa gives you this permission. If it doesn’t, please contact the Visa Support Team.
You can work more than the hours stated on your Tier 4 or Student Route visa during the Christmas and Easter vacations and for the time remaining on your visa at the end of your programme. Please see our university regulations webpages for your term dates. Masters students studying on a 12 month programme do not have a summer vacation, as you will need to complete a dissertation or project during this period. This means that Masters students studying on a 12 month programme can’t work more than 20 hours per week after the Easter vacation until they have fully completed their programme and no longer have any academic work to complete or submit.
You can work more than the hours stated on your visa without further permission if you are on a work placement as a requirement of your programme. Any additional work you do alongside your placement should not exceed 20 hours per week.
If you want to work more than the hours stated on your visa, you should obtain written confirmation that it is either a vacation period or that you have completed your programme. Your employer will need written confirmation of this before they can employ you for more than the hours stated on your visa.
If you are in the UK on a Standard Visitor visa, you can’t undertake any employment in the UK.