International Applications

International Applicants

• I will be studying at Ulster University from September.  When will I receive my Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS)? 

  We have begun to issue CAS for courses starting in September.

  The Compliance team will email you to request any outstanding documents as soon as your application is ready for CAS assessment.

  We will issue your CAS as soon as we have received and assessed any outstanding documents to ensure that they meet all Tier 4 student visa requirements.

• Will I be able to receive a CAS and apply for a Tier 4 visa if I have to start my studies through distance learning or blended learning (a combination of online lectures and face-to-face classes) because of Covid-19? 

  Yes. 

  The Home Office has confirmed that you may receive a CAS and apply for a Tier 4 visa to start your studies through distance learning or blended learning provided that you intend to come to the UK for face-to-face learning as soon as circumstances allow.

• Will I be able to apply for the Graduate Route if I have to start my studies by distance learning from outside the UK? 

  The Home Office has confirmed that if you start your studies by distance/blended learning, you will be eligible to apply for the Graduate route provided you are in the UK by 6 April 2021 and complete your final semester of studies in the UK.

• Are you considering applications from all countries?

  We are continuing to process all applications as normal, regardless of where you are from, or living. All our staff, based in Northern Ireland and in-market, continue to be available to support you.

• If I defer my offer to next entry but have paid deposit, can I have my deposit refunded?

  Your deposit is refundable, unless you are refused a visa on the grounds of forged documents being presented. In this case, your deposit is non-refundable.

  To request a refund please contact International Admissions

• Will international scholarships still be available?

  Our attractive scholarship and support package is still available to qualified international students.

  Further details on scholarships available for 2020/21 are available on our Global site.

• Can I pay my international tuition fee in instalments?

  To help spread the cost of your studies, tuition fees can be paid back in five monthly instalments while you learn.

• Can I fly via Dublin and then onwards to Northern Ireland?

  Yes, you can fly via Dublin, Ireland, and transit to Northern Ireland (UK); however, as Ireland and the UK are separate countries, you must meet the immigration/visa regulations of both countries in order to enter the UK this way.

  If you require a visa to enter Ireland, you must obtain a visa for Ireland and a visa for the UK before you travel.

  If you do not require a visa to enter Ireland, you may request permission to enter Ireland when you arrive in Dublin.

  You must obtain a visa for the UK before you travel. If you do not do this, your stay in the UK will be limited to 30 days. It is your responsibility to ensure that you have the correct visas before you travel.

  Check here to see if you require a visa to enter Ireland.

• Will I have to self-isolate/undertake quarantine for 14 days? If so, where will I do this?

  On 8 June 2020, the UK government implemented a policy of self-isolation for anyone arriving in the UK.

  The aim is to help manage the risks to public health from Coronavirus.

  Anyone arriving into the UK from a country not on the Exempt List will be required to self-isolate for a period of 14 days from the date of your arrival. If you are required to self isolate/quarantine on arrival we would strongly recommend you book our self isolation package.

  University staff will be on hand to support you through your arrival and self-isolation period proving transport from both Northern Ireland airports, welcome food hamper, online grocery shopping voucher, bedding and kitchen utensils

Supporting Documentation

• My school or home university is closed and I can’t access my supporting documentation at the moment due to coronavirus. What should I do?

  Supporting documents are not required when you first apply to the University.

  If you are successful with your application and offered a place, you will need to provide transcripts of your previous studies by the deadline we provide you.

  If you are not able to provide these by the specified date due to coronavirus, please contact the International Admissions Service at internationaladmissions@ulster.ac.uk

Deposits

• How can I pay my deposit?

  For all undergraduate and postgraduate degrees, we will be accepting deposit payments up to and including 21 August 2020.

  You can pay your deposit using our secure online payment facility

• Can I have a refund on my deposit?

  Your deposit is refundable, unless you are refused a visa on the grounds of forged documents being presented. In this case, your deposit is non-refundable.

  To request a refund please contact International Admissions

Qualifications

• I am holding a conditional offer, how will Ulster assess if I have made my grade(s)?

  Our approach to conditional offer holders will depend on the qualification you are taking and the approach being taken by the organisation that awards them.

• I am studying towards my A levels (including International A levels), GCSEs, IGCSEs, BTECs

  We will consider your grades when they are awarded.

  As long as you meet the conditions of your offer your place is secured.

• I am studying towards my International Baccalaureate Diploma

  We will accept any grades awarded in the IB Diploma.

  We will consider your grades when they are available.

  As long as you meet your conditions of offer your place is secured.

  • COVID-19 (coronavirus) updates from ibo.org
• I am studying towards my Advanced Placement (AP) Test

  The 2021 AP Exams will be administered over two weeks in May:

  • May 3–7 2021
  • May 10–14 2021

  If you sit these exams you will be awarded an AP grade as normal.

  We will accept these grades or any existing AP grades you have achieved to meet the conditions of your offer.

  Please note we will not accept teacher assessments or coursework grades in place of final AP award.

  • Updates for Schools Affected by Coronavirus (COVID-19) from collegeboard.org
• I am studying towards my Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education

  The HKDSE examinations are scheduled.

  We will consider your grades when they become available.

  Your conditions of offer remain the same.

  • Latest updates from hkeaa.edu
• I am studying towards a qualification in another country

  We know exams in many other countries may be delayed or cancelled.

  If your exams go ahead we will assess you based on your results.

  If your exams are cancelled but the awarding body makes alternative arrangements for you to receive a final award we will consider any alternative put in place.

• I will be studying at Ulster University from January.  When will I receive my Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS)?

  We will issue CAS for January intake from mid-October.

  The Compliance team will contact you to request any outstanding documents as soon as your application is ready for CAS assessment.

  We will issue your CAS as soon as we have received and assessed any outstanding documents to ensure that they meet all Tier 4 student visa requirements.

• Will I be able to receive a CAS and apply for a student visa if I have to start my studies through distance learning or blended learning (a combination of online lectures and face-to-face classes) because of Covid-19?

  Yes.  

  The Home Office has confirmed that you may receive a CAS and apply for a student visa to start your studies through distance learning or blended learning provided that you intend to come to the UK for face-to-face learning as soon as circumstances allow.

• Will I be able to apply for the Graduate Route if I have to start my studies by distance learning from outside the UK?

  The Home Office has confirmed that if you start your studies by distance/blended learning, you will be eligible to apply for the Graduate route provided you are in the UK by 6 April 2021 and complete your final semester of studies in the UK.

• What should I do if I am outside the UK and I need to apply for a visa but my local Visa Application Centre (VAC) is closed?

  Many VACs are now open and others will open subject to local restrictions.

  You can check which VACs are open.

  You should submit your online student visa application as soon as you can after you receive your CAS.

• What should I do if I am in the UK and need to apply for a visa but my local UK Visas and Citizenship Application Services (UKVCAS) centre is closed?

  Some UKVCAS centres have already reopened for existing customers.

  If you have not yet submitted your online visa application, you should do so before your current visa expires.

  You must create a UKVCAS account when you submit your visa application so you can be contacted when new biometric appointments become available.

  You can check which UKVCAS centres are open.

Study Abroad/ Exchange

• I am a Study Abroad/Exchange student can I still apply for January 2021 entry?

  Yes, of course you can.

  Please submit your application in the normal way. We are continuing to carefully monitoring UK Government advice and will keep you updated should there be an impact to your study abroad or exchange placement.

  Further information: studyabroad@ulster.ac.uk or www.ulster.ac.uk/global/study-abroad

• I have been accepted as a Study Abroad/Exchange student for January 2021. Should I now organise my travel arrangements to come to Ulster?

  We advise you not to make any travel arrangements at present. We are carefully monitoring the situation and will advise you when it is safe to do so.

  Please note you are guaranteed on campus accommodation if you apply before the 15 August 2020 and you do not need to pay until you are offered a room.

  Further information: studyabroad@ulster.ac.uk or www.ulster.ac.uk/global/study-abroad