Extending or Switching a UK Student Visa Inside the UK

When you can apply from inside the UK

Most guides cover the first Student visa you apply for from your home country. This one is different: it explains how continuing students already in the UK extend their Student visa for a new course, or switch to the Student route from another visa, without leaving the country.

You can generally apply from inside the UK if you already hold a Student visa (or are on a route that allows switching) and have a new, unconditional offer from a licensed student sponsor. The two ideas that matter most are the 'academic progression' requirement and a new Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS).

This is general information, not immigration advice — always confirm the current rules on the official GOV.UK source, and use your university's international student advisers, before you apply.

The academic progression requirement

GOV.UK requires that, to extend or switch as a Student inside the UK, you must normally show 'academic progress' — broadly, your new course must be at a higher academic level than the course on your current permission (for example, moving from an undergraduate degree to a master's).

The requirement exists to keep the Student route for genuine study progression rather than repeated courses at the same level. Your licensed sponsor confirms progression (or a valid exception) in your CAS, so this is checked at the point your university issues it.

• New course is usually at a higher academic level than the current one
• Typical progression: bachelor's to master's, master's to PhD
• Your sponsor confirms progression (or an exception) in the CAS
• Checked when the CAS is issued, not just at the visa stage

Exceptions to academic progression

GOV.UK lists exceptions where you do not have to show a higher level. These commonly include re-sitting exams or repeating modules (or completing the course those re-sits relate to), completing a PhD or other doctorate begun under your last Student visa, and certain situations such as a work placement or study-abroad element of your course.

Because the exact list and conditions can change, do not assume — check the current exceptions on GOV.UK and confirm with your sponsor. Where an exception applies, GOV.UK says the licensed sponsor must confirm this and explain why in your CAS.

• Re-sitting exams or repeating modules to complete the same course
• Completing a PhD or doctorate started on your last Student visa
• Placement year or study-abroad element of your programme
• The exception must be confirmed and explained by your sponsor in the CAS

You need a new CAS

For any extension or switch, you need a fresh CAS from your licensed student sponsor for the new course — the CAS from your previous course cannot be reused. The CAS records your course, level, dates and (where relevant) how you meet or are exempt from academic progression.

Apply for your new visa within the validity window of that CAS. GOV.UK sets a limited period during which a CAS can be used for an application, so line up your CAS and your visa application dates carefully with your university.

• A new course means a new CAS from your licensed sponsor
• The CAS states the level, dates and progression basis
• Use the CAS within the period GOV.UK allows
• Coordinate CAS and application timing with your university

Timing: the 28-day and expiry rules

GOV.UK sets out clear timing rules for applying inside the UK. You can apply from a set number of months before your course starts, but you must apply before your current visa expires, and your new course must begin within a limited number of days of your current visa ending (often described as the 28-day rule).

Applying in good time matters: your right to stay and, usually, to keep working within your conditions continues while a valid in-time application is pending. Confirm the exact 'earliest you can apply', the expiry rule and the course-start window on GOV.UK, as these details change.

Switching to the Student route from another visa

If you are in the UK on a different visa and want to study, GOV.UK explains you may be able to switch to the Student route from inside the UK, provided you meet the same core requirements — an unconditional offer from a licensed sponsor shown by a CAS, the academic progression rule (with exceptions), and, if you have been in the UK for less than a set period, the financial requirement.

Some routes cannot switch in-country and must apply from outside the UK, and processing times and fees differ. Check whether your current visa is one that can switch, and the current cost and timescales, on the official GOV.UK Student visa pages before you commit.