What Is Confirmation of Acceptance (CAS) And How Can You Get One?

Starting an educational journey in a foreign land is an exciting yet a complex process for international students.

One of the steps for those aspiring to study in the United Kingdom (UK), is obtaining the Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) letter.

This article serves as a comprehensive guide, delving into the significance of the CAS, its contents, the steps involved in acquiring it, and essential insights into the visa application process.

What is Confirmation of Acceptance (CAS)?

The CAS, short for Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies, is the letter required by international students intending to pursue higher education in the UK.

This letter acts as tangible evidence of an individual’s acceptance into a university course and is important for initiating the student visa application process.

What Contents Does CAS Have?

The CAS letter comprises of;

• Sponsor university license number
• Title of the course
• Beginning and last date of the course
• University and campus address
• Nationality
• Details of previous UK study
• Work placement
• All personal details like name, gender, birth country, birthplace, date of birth, residency address etc.
• Tuition fees for the first academic year
• Tuition fees paid to date
• The amount you have already paid
• English language proficiency score
• If you have paid any amount for accommodation
• Qualification that helped you to secure a place in the university
• Passport number and your name on the passport

Upon completion of the necessary documentation and verification process, the university will provide a webpage link containing all the details.

It is important for you to review the information and ensure its accuracy and authenticity. Once satisfied with the accuracy of the provided details, the university will transmit the information to the UK Visa and Immigration (UKVI) authority.

Subsequently, the UKVI will allocate the unique CAS number to the respective university. This CAS number serves as an identifier in the visa application process.

Once assigned, the university will issue the CAS number to you, enabling you proceed with your visa application.

How Can You Get a CAS Letter?

The process of obtaining a CAS letter varies across universities, but it generally entails the following steps:

1. Receiving an unconditional offer letter from the university.
2. Fulfilling any financial obligations such as paying a tuition fee deposit.
3. Potentially undergoing a credibility interview, which serves to validate the authenticity of the application.
4. Upon meeting the necessary criteria, the university will issue the CAS, enabling you to proceed with the visa application.

What Next After Getting Your CAS Letter?

Once you have submitted your application to the university, obtaining a CAS (Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies) becomes necessary for initiating the visa application process.

Without this letter, international students are unable to proceed with filling out the student visa application form.

The process of obtaining a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) varies among UK universities and can involve different steps such as the Pre-CAS or Credibility interview.

Here’s a breakdown of the various scenarios:

1. Post-Unconditional Offer Letter and Deposit Payment: Some universities require you to complete a Pre-CAS or Credibility interview after receiving an unconditional offer letter and paying a specific deposit. Only after successfully passing this interview will the university issue the CAS.
2. Pre-CAS Interview before Deposit Payment: In contrast, certain UK universities conduct the credibility interview before requesting the deposit payment. Upon passing the interview, you are then asked to pay the deposit and request the CAS.
3. Conditional Offer Letter Option: Alternatively, there are universities that allow you to apply for a CAS with a conditional offer letter, provided your English and academic qualifications meet their requirements.

Overall, getting the CAS letter may vary depending on the university’s policies and procedures. It’s essential for you to familiarize yourself with your university’s specific requirements to ensure a smooth and successful CAS application process.