Preparing to arrive

Pay your Confirmation Payment and return your signed acceptance form to confirm your offer. For more information on what your Confirmation Payment consists of and your payment plan please visit our 'How to pay' page.

Once you have confirmed, you will have access to our Welcome Hub with lots of useful information about preparing to study.

A Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) is a unique reference number which confirms you have been accepted on a course of study in the UK. It is required for your Student visa application. You can apply for your CAS up to six months before your course start date (three months if you are in the UK).

1. Book and take your Readiness Check (if required).
2. Pay any fees due - check the information in your payment plan in your offer letter.
3. Provide any outstanding documents - your insurance information, emergency contact details, any study gap information (if applicable), living arrangement confirmation form and previous UK Visa history (if applicable).
4. Receive your CAS preview. Sign and return it.
5. Submit your financial or bank documents - you must have this money for at least 28 consecutive days. The end date of the 28-day period must be within 31 days of the date you apply for your visa.

Once you have received your CAS you can apply for your visa and take your UKVI interview (if required).

If you have requested accommodation on your application form, our Central Student Support Team will contact you directly regarding the options available. 

We recommend for the best student experience and to focus on your studies that you live close to the Centre but you must live no further than a 60-minute commutable distance from the Centre.

Find out more

Receive your visa and book your travel. When booking your travel, make sure you arrive before your first day of term, so you don’t miss our valuable induction programme. Accommodation booked with the Royal Holloway International Study Centre is usually available two days before the start of term.

While not mandatory, we recommend that all international students have the protection of appropriate insurance for the duration of their time in the UK. The costs of not being insured can add up, becoming expensive and stressful - the last thing you want whilst studying abroad. You can choose to take out StudyCare or arrange your own cover with an alternative provider.

StudyCare has been designed in partnership with education insurance specialist, Howden, specifically to provide international students with protection and support during their studies with Study Group and, if required, after progressing to their chosen university.

Study Group is an appointed representative of Howden UK Brokers Limited and StudyCare is underwritten by Zurich, one of the largest insurers in the world. StudyCare is available in durations of  either up to 12 months and 24 months (fixed), allowing you to choose a policy duration that fits your needs.

Find out more about insurance

You must have a Windows or Mac based laptop available for use in order to access course materials, Learning Management System (LMS)/Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) platform and undertake assessments. 

Your device must be no more than 5 years old to ensure compatibility, performance, and security, and must include: a built‑in or external camera in full working order, a headset with microphone and headphones. 

Windows 

• Windows 11 (64-bit) or later with at least 4GB RAM and 75 MB available free disk space per hour 
• Web Browser: Google Chrome or Microsoft Edge (Chromium version) 

Mac 

• MacOS Big Sur (version 11) up to MacOS 15.1, or a more recent version with at least 4GB RAM and 75MB free disk space per hour 
• Web Browser: Google Chrome or Microsoft Edge (Chromium version) 

Devices NOT permitted for assessments 

The following devices cannot be used for examinations or digital assessments: 

• Touchscreen or mobile‑type devices such as iPads, tablets, and smartphones  
• Devices with ARM‑based Processors such as Chromebooks and laptops using ARM‑based processors such as Microsoft Surface 
• Touchscreen laptops / “2‑in‑1” devices such as laptops that fold, detach, or convert into a tablet 
• Devices designed primarily for touchscreen use as these often run on unsupported hardware configurations and cannot be used for assessments 
• Linux, Windows 10S / 11S mode operating systems 

In your first week, you will take part in orientation activities and get to know the people and places around you. These normally include tours, networking events, information talks, and team games. You will receive further information when your place at the Royal Holloway International Study Centre is confirmed.