International How to Apply

Managing individual International Applicants - Admissions Process
1.    Age Requirement
Applicants must be aged 16–18 and have turned 16 by 1st June 2026.

2.    Applications via Standard Route
Admissions receive applications through the College website for international students in need of a Student visa. 

Admissions will conduct an initial sense check.

3.    Referral to Agencies
Applicants who are potentially suitable [Admissions decision with advice from International Team where required] will be advised that international applications can be supported via application through an approved agency. Admissions will provide the applicant with a list of approved agencies. Should the applicant who wishes to apply not find a suitable agent, or want to apply directly, this will be dealt with by Admissions in liaison with the International team as detailed in section 5: Exceptional circumstances.

4.    Unsuitable Applicants
Applicants who do not meet the College’s basic criteria will be contacted with an explanation (including UKVI requirements and the College’s “no over-18 rule”) and signposted to seek an alternative provider.

5.    Exceptional Circumstances
If Admissions receives an application from an international student already resident in the UK and who clearly meets or is predicted to meet entry requirements (e.g. students leaving UK private schools), the application will be reviewed by Admissions in liaison with the International Team.
A £300 admin fee will be charged for assessing exceptional circumstance applications.

Should an international applicant not be able to apply through a suitable agent (e.g. the country is not covered by a listed agent), Admissions will review the application in liaison with the International Team. Such applications will be subject to a £300 admin fee for reviewing the application.

6.    Role of the International Team
The International Team will oversee and administer all international applications submitted via approved agencies and independently applying, adopting the same process that we have for existing sponsored International applicants.

This ensures compliance with UKVI rules and consistency of process.

Once we have received your application we will assess your suitability for the course.

If the International Team agree that you may make a direct application to York College, agreed under exceptional circumstances, you will be sent an International Assessment Form (IAF) to complete. Once we have received your completed and signed IAF, with copies of all the requested documents, you may be invited for a virtual interview if you meet the course entry requirements.

After your interview you might be made an offer to study with us and if you accept this, and pay a deposit, we will send you the relevant documents so that you can apply for your Student visa.

Student Visa Information can be found here.

Congratulations, you have met our academic and English Language entry requirements. We are happy to accept you on our course without further conditions. If you have received an unconditional offer you only need to do two things to accept your place:

• Email a signed, scanned copy of our Terms and Conditions document.
• Pay your course deposit which is up to 50% of the total tuition fees and, if applicable, your homestay deposit  of £500.

Once you have done this we will write to you to confirm your place and from April we will send you an official Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) letter which you can use to apply for your student visa.

After we receive your application we hope to make you a formal offer to study. This page tells you what happens at this stage and what you need to do next.

When we make you an offer, there are a number of steps you need to follow in order to confirm your place. Depending on your circumstances, your offer will either be unconditional or conditional.

International students will need either a Student visa or Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) to study in the UK. A Student visa is required for courses longer than 6 months, while an ETA is for courses up to 6 months. You can check if you need a visa using the link below. You must apply for your visa or ETA after we formally accept you and provide the necessary offer documents.

• Student Visa

Step 1: Get your CAS number

The College is your official student visa sponsor. From May, provided you have met the conditions of your offer, we will issue you with a Confirmation of Acceptance to Study (CAS) letter. This letter contains a unique reference number that you need for your visa application. You cannot apply without a CAS number.

• We will not issue this more than six months in advance of your course start date as this is the earliest you can apply for your visa.
• We will not issue you with a CAS number until you have paid your course deposit (up to 50% of your total tuition fee).

Step 2: Check your paperwork

Before you submit your student visa application, you should check any accompanying paperwork. This must include any evidence we have listed in your CAS letter, but should also include the following:

• Your current passport
• One passport sized colour photo with your name written on the back
• Proof of parental consent, under 18s only.
• Evidence of your financial maintenance (see below)
• Evidence of your tuberculosis test result (if applicable)
• Copies of any examination certificates

Note that in order to study in the UK, students must demonstrate that they have had a certain amount of money in their bank account (or accounts used to support them, such as a parent’s account) for at least 28 days prior to their application. For a student staying in York this amount is £1136 per month. This amount may rise in the future and can be found in the latest UKVI Guidance.

Step 3: Apply online

You must apply for your student visa online. After you have submitted your online application you will need to make an appointment to provide fingerprints and to submit the documentation listed above. Begin your application here:

Step 4: Tell us when you get your visa

The UK Visas and Immigration Service (UKVI) does not tell York College the outcome of your visa application, so please tell us immediately upon receiving a decision about your visa.

Need help choosing a reliable agent? 

View the British Council's guide to choosing an education agent here.

To register a complaint around your chosen agent, click here.

The majority of students whose accommodation needs we support live with local people in a homestay environment. Click here to find out more.

Contact your homestay host

Around this time, we will put homestay students in contact with their host households. We strongly advise that you use the weeks leading up to your departure to contact your hosts. Try to get to know them and tell them a bit about yourself.

Learn about York

Most students live in York for at least a year. This is a fantastic opportunity to really get to know the city. You can use the time before you leave for the UK to learn more about what the city has to offer.

Pay any outstanding fees

Where applicable, you must have paid at least your course deposit (up to 50% of your total tuition fees) and your homestay deposit (£500) before you arrive in York. 

Check your paperwork

Make sure your paperwork is all in order, especially your visa documents. Keep all key documents in your hand luggage, including contact details for the College and your residential address in York (e.g. homestay address). This is also covered in our visa information section above.

Book your flights (and tell us)

We ask all students to book flights as soon as they have their visa. We ask that you tell us when you are arriving in the UK. We also strongly recommend that students fly to Manchester Airport. Further details about arriving in the UK are given below.

Our international student arrival day is still to be confirmed for 2026, however, it is likely to be during the first week of September.

Once you have arrived at the College, you will be introduced to your homestay provider if you are staying in accommodation arranged through the College. They will take you to your new home. If you have arranged your own accommodation, you will be responsible for travelling to your new address. However, members of College staff will be available to advise you.

Most of our international students choose to fly to Manchester Airport as it is the closest airport with direct trains to York. The journey takes approximately 90 minutes.

Your first few days in York will be filled with events, presentations and activities designed to help you settle in and make the most of your time in York. Welcome Week will include:

• Information about your course
• Information about the College
• Meeting your tutors
• Meeting other students
• College registration and paperwork
• Information on how to register with a doctor

In addition to any visa fees you need to pay to UKVI, the following fees will be invoiced to you from York College:

Please note that our fee structure varies across different study programmes:

• Course fees (per year) - up to £12,500 per annum
• Accommodation fees (per year) - £8,800 per annum (if organised through York College homestays)

Up to 50% of tuition fees must be paid in advance.

£500 deposit for accommodation fees must be paid in advance (if applicable) and is invoiced termly.