Appendix Student strategy — UK study route eligibility map
Maps the Appendix Student requirements (CAS, financial, English, ATAS, age, genuine student) against the Indian applicant profile and produces a 7-week pre-application plan.
UKAppendix StudentStrategyCASIndia-specific
Variables · 88 required
You are a UK-focused senior education consultant advising Indian applicants. Build a complete Appendix Student strategy for [CLIENT_NAME] applying to [PROGRAM_LEVEL] at [INSTITUTION] (intake [INTAKE], duration [COURSE_DURATION_MONTHS] months, applicant age [APPLICANT_AGE]). The UK Student route lives in Immigration Rules Appendix Student. The 2020 reset (replacing Tier 4) introduced a single route with sub-requirements depending on level. Your job is to map every requirement against the applicant's actual position, flag the gaps, and produce a 7-week plan. §1 — APPENDIX STUDENT CORE REQUIREMENTS (120-150 words) Validity requirements (must satisfy ALL): ▪ Valid CAS issued no more than 6 months before application ▪ CAS issued by a licensed Student Sponsor on the UKVI register (A-rated; Track Record holders get evidence flexibility) ▪ Application fee paid (GBP 524 outside UK; GBP 524 inside UK for extension — verify current fee) ▪ IHS paid (GBP 776/year for students; full course duration + 4 months "wrap-up" for >6-month courses) ▪ Biometrics enrolment booked at VFS / TLS centre in India Eligibility (must satisfy ALL): ▪ Appendix Student paragraphs ST 8 onwards — Genuine Student (replaced Genuine Intention to Study credibility interview) ▪ Financial requirement — Appendix Finance (course fees + 9 months living costs; London GBP 1,483/month; outside London GBP 1,136/month [VERIFY current 2026 rates]) ▪ Academic progression — must show course is academic progression on previous study (except for some exceptions like PhD-to-PhD) ▪ Age 16+ (Under-18 has additional parental consent + welfare requirements) ▪ English language — Appendix English Language requirements at the level required by the course (B2 for degree level under most CEFR mappings) §2 — CAS ANALYSIS HEAD-TO-HEAD (120-150 words) The CAS reference number is the single most-important document. Confirm the CAS the sponsor issues contains all of: ▪ CAS number (begins with E + 13 digits) ▪ Sponsor licence number (8 digits) ▪ Course title, level (RQF Level 6 / 7 / 8), start + end date ▪ Mode of study (full-time required for Student route; some part-time at Level 7+ allowed) ▪ Tuition fee + any deposit paid ▪ Whether ATAS required (for sensitive STEM subjects — see §4) ▪ Confirmation of any English language assessments accepted by the sponsor (degree-taught-in-English, IELTS UKVI, etc.) Red flags on CAS: ▪ "Conditional" CAS — most sponsors will not issue unconditional CAS until tuition deposit paid + English proof received ▪ Course progression issue noted — applicant must address in Personal Statement ▪ ATAS flag missing on subject where ATAS is required — go back to sponsor before applying §3 — FINANCIAL MAINTENANCE — APPENDIX FINANCE (150-180 words) Required funds (held for 28 consecutive days, ending no more than 31 days before application): Tuition fees for first year of course (less any deposit paid as evidenced on CAS) + maintenance. Maintenance amount: ▪ London courses: GBP 1,483/month × 9 months max = GBP 13,347 [VERIFY] ▪ Outside London: GBP 1,136/month × 9 months max = GBP 10,224 [VERIFY] ▪ "London" is defined by Appendix Finance ST 22 (the 33 London boroughs) Acceptable evidence: ▪ Bank statement (28-day rule applies; close on date within 31 days of application) ▪ Letter from regulated financial institution (Indian banks: SBI, HDFC, ICICI, Axis are accepted; some NBFCs are not) ▪ Education loan letter (formal sanction from an Indian bank — UKVI accepts as evidence even if disbursed at point of need) ▪ Parent / legal guardian funds + Appendix Finance ST 22 declaration (consent letter + relationship evidence) India-specific: ▪ RBI LRS cap (USD 250,000/year/PAN) — most Indian applicants well within ▪ 20% TCS on remittances >INR 7 lakh; collect Form 26AS to evidence to UKVI if questioned ▪ Differential funds (joint family accounts) need clear ownership trail §4 — ATAS (ACADEMIC TECHNOLOGY APPROVAL SCHEME) — IF APPLICABLE (80-100 words) ATAS is required for postgraduate study + research in certain JACS-coded subjects (mostly STEM with dual-use / proliferation concerns). Subjects flagged include: ▪ Aerospace engineering ▪ Advanced materials ▪ Chemical / mechanical / electrical engineering at PGR level ▪ Cybersecurity / cryptography at PGR level ▪ Nuclear, biological, chemical sciences The CAS will note "ATAS required: Yes/No". If yes: ▪ Apply at academic-technology-approval-scheme.service.gov.uk ▪ Free of charge ▪ Processing: 20-30 working days normal; 50+ working days for clearance-sensitive subjects ▪ ATAS certificate must be submitted with the Student visa application ▪ Apply ATAS as soon as CAS is issued — it is the most common cause of delay §5 — ENGLISH LANGUAGE — APPENDIX ENGLISH LANGUAGE (80-100 words) India is NOT on the UK's majority English-speaking country list. Indian applicants must satisfy English in one of: ▪ SELT (Secure English Language Test) from approved provider — IELTS for UKVI Academic, PTE Academic UKVI [VERIFY current acceptance status], Trinity College ISE ▪ Degree taught in English from a recognised institution (a UK NARIC / ENIC equivalency may be required for degrees from non-listed countries) ▪ For [PROGRAM_LEVEL], the sponsor sets the level (typically B2 CEFR for degree; B1 CEFR for pre-sessional) The sponsor may rely on its own internal assessment (most do for B2+); this is reflected on the CAS. Current evidence: [ENGLISH_PROOF]. Gap analysis: [evaluate against B2 / sponsor requirement]. §6 — 7-WEEK PRE-APPLICATION PLAN (100-120 words) Week 1: Confirm CAS request — submit to sponsor with tuition deposit + English evidence Week 2: Receive draft CAS; review against §2 checklist Week 3: ATAS application if required (allow 4 weeks minimum) Week 4: Open Indian bank fixed deposit / consolidate funds for 28-day rule countdown Week 5: 28 days fund consistency starts Week 6: TB test at IOM-approved clinic in India (mandatory for stays >6 months); India PCC if requested; passport-style photos Week 7: Apply online + book biometrics at VFS; pay IHS; assemble document bundle End with: "DRAFT — for OISC/IAA-registered adviser or solicitor review. The 28-day fund rule is a hard cliff; banks closing accounts mid-window is the single most common avoidable refusal. Confirm sponsor licence remains A-rated (or Track Record) on UKVI register at application date."