Combined Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) Process

Applicants who are applying to study on either the 10 or 6-week Pre-Sessional course at the English Language Centre and a postgraduate taught academic programme at the University of Liverpool may be eligible for a combined CAS.  A combined CAS can be used to apply for one visa that covers both your Pre-Sessional course and your academic programme.  This will allow you to remain in the UK for the duration of both periods of study.

The deadlines for applying for a combined CAS are as follows:

Academic Year 2023/24
Course Latest date to apply Latest date to accept offers
10 week with combined CAS 21/04/24 29/04/24
6 week with combined CAS 19/05/24 27/05/24

 

Academic Year 2024/25
Course Latest date to apply Latest date to accept offers
10 week with combined CAS 18/04/25 25/04/25
6 week with combined CAS 16/05/25 23/05/25

 

    Eligibility criteria

    In line with UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) Student Visa guidance, the University of Liverpool will issue a combined CAS to students applying for postgraduate taught study (including MRes) where an applicant meets the requirements outlined below.

    6-week study

    For 6-week study, a combined CAS is available to you if:

    • You are already holding an unconditional offer for a postgraduate academic programme at the University of Liverpool but wish to study a Pre-Sessional course to enhance your English skills

    OR

    • You meet the English language requirements for the 6-week Pre-Sessional course with a valid SELT

    AND

    • The start date of your degree programme is less than one month after the end date of your Pre-Sessional course

    AND

    • The only remaining condition of your academic offer is English language. All other academic conditions must have been met and accepted

    AND

    • The English language condition for your academic offer is not above level B2 (IELTS 6.5)

    AND

    • You have accepted an academic offer and a Pre-Sessional offer by 5pm (GMT) on Monday 27th May 2024

    10-week study

    For 10-week study, a combined CAS is available to you if:

    • You are already holding an unconditional offer for a postgraduate academic programme at the University of Liverpool but wish to study a Pre-Sessional course to enhance your English skills

    OR

    • You meet the English language requirements for the 10-week Pre-Sessional course with a valid SELT

    AND

    • The start date of your degree programme is less than one month after the end date of your Pre-Sessional course

    AND

    • The only remaining condition of your academic offer is English language. All other academic conditions must have been met and accepted

    AND

    • The English language condition for your academic offer is not above level B2 (IELTS 6.5)

    AND

    • You have accepted an academic offer and a Pre-Sessional offer by 5pm (GMT) on Monday 29th April 2024

    If you do not meet the requirements above, or if you do not want a combined CAS, we will arrange two separate CAS numbers for you: one for your Pre-Sessional course, and one for your postgraduate programme.  You will then apply for two separate visas.  If you do not want a combined CAS, you will need to provide a SELT (IELTS for UKVI) as part of your application.

    If you are not able to accept your offer for the Pre-Sessional course and academic programme by the dates noted above, we will not be able to issue you with a Combined CAS and we will issue you with two separate CAS numbers.

    What do you need to do?

    To be issued with a Combined CAS you must:


    1. Have applied for your academic programme and Pre-Sessional course by the application deadlines as noted on our dates and fees.


    2. Have accepted your academic offer and your Pre-Sessional offer by the dates as outlined in eligibility criteria above.

     

    Extra information

    This information is for students with conditional offers for a postgraduate academic programme.

    If you have remaining English language conditions and wish to be considered for a Combined CAS, your academic offer will be upgraded from conditional to unconditional on the understanding that you will attend the 6-week or 10-week Pre-Sessional course at the English Language Centre and complete the course to the required level.  Attendance is compulsory and will be monitored.

    If you do not register on an appropriate Pre-Sessional course or if you do not attend or do not successfully complete the course, your unconditional offer will be removed and a conditional offer based on English will be re-issued.  We will also contact the UKVI to inform them of your current status at the University of Liverpool.

        Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS)

    If you require an ATAS certificate for academic study, you must apply for this and receive clearance before a Combined CAS will be issued. Please see here for further information about the ATAS scheme.