Immigration/Visa for International students including EU, EEA and Swiss nationals
If you are an international applicant coming to the UK for a full-time degree course lasting six months or more, you will need to apply via the Student Route (previously Tier IV visa).
Once you have received an unconditional offer, we will contact you about the requirements and steps that need to be completed before we can issue a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) which you will need in order to apply for your student visa.
Applicants should note that we have limited number of Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS)* available annually; the CAS is tentatively allocated to an applicant with an unconditional offer on a first-come-first-served basis.
All international applicants are strongly advised to carefully read guidance from the Home Office and UK Visas and Immigration to ensure the process and requirements are fully understood, including requirements to apply via the Student Route.
*A CAS number is a unique personal number that confirms that the School is prepared to sponsor you.
Points-Based System for Immigration
The Student Route was launched as part of the UK’s Points Based Immigration System which came into effect on 1 January 2021
The Points-Based System includes immigration routes for students, as well as highly skilled workers, skilled workers and a range of other specialist work routes including routes for global leaders in their field and innovators.
You can apply for a Student visa here https://www.gov.uk/student-visa.
EU, EEA and Swiss nationals
EU, EEA and Swiss nationals who do not hold status under the EU Settlement Scheme (or another route protected by the Withdrawal Agreement) are now subject to UK immigration control in the same way as other international nationals. This means that EU Citizens wishing to study in the UK for more than six months must apply for a visa under the Student Route before travelling to the UK. The Home Office has published a useful introductory guide on the new PBS Immigration System specifically tailored to EU students.
Student Route
The Points-Based System Student route visa replaced the previous Tier 4 visa. It will affect Student and Student dependant applications made on or after then, regardless of the date on which a CAS was assigned.
Applicants under the Student visa Route are now granted digital immigration status rather than a physical vignette or Biometric Residence Permit (BPR).
Visiting students
Study of up to six months, such as on our short courses, will be allowed under the standard visit route. This has replaced the short-term study route.
GRADUATE IMMIGRATION ROUTE
The Home Office introduced a new Graduate route in 2021, enabling international students to remain in the UK for two years (or three years for PhD graduates) after they have completed their studies.
A graduate visa lasts for:
- 2 years if you apply on or before 31 December 2026
- 18 months if you apply on or after 1 January 2027
If you have a PhD or other doctoral qualification it will last 3 years.
Further information on the Graduate Visa can be found here. Please always refer to immigration information provided by the UK Government and Home Office.
UKCISA
London Film School is a member of UKCISA, the UK Council for International Student Affairs, which also provides useful for international students who wish to study in the UK: http://www.ukcisa.org.uk
For further information or advice, please contact visa.advice@lfs.org.uk.
Last Updated: 8 January 2026