Appendix Student strategy — UK study route eligibility map

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."