How to Apply

<p dir="ltr">From our Undergraduate BA (Hons) Degree programmes and Extended Degrees to our Postgraduate Masters Degrees and our range of Pre-Degree study options, we offer something for everyone looking to further their artistic practice.</p> <p dir="ltr">How to apply for our creative courses depends on the level of study for you. Applications for Undergraduate Degree programmes (unless part-time) are made via The Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS), a UK-based organisation whose main role is to operate the application process for British universities. Whilst for our Postgraduate programmes and Pre-Degree courses are made directly to Arts University Plymouth on our website.<br /></p>

<p>From 5 October 2020, a new Student visa will replace the Tier 4 route. As an international student, you will need a Student visa which you can apply for online.</p> <p><strong>Student Route and Child Student Route replace Tier 4 route</strong></p><ul><li>The Student route, which falls under the UK's new points-based immigration system, improves on the previous Tier 4 route making for a more streamlined experience for both sponsoring institutions and students.</li><li>Visas that have been issued through the Tier 4 route are still valid and those eligible will still be able to apply for the Graduate Route when it opens in summer 2021.</li><li>The Graduate Route will be available to international students who have completed a degree at undergraduate level or above at a Higher Education Provider with a track record of compliance and who have a valid Student (or Tier 4) visa at the time of application.</li><li>More information about the UK’s new points-based immigration system can be found <a href="https://response.smartcdn.co.uk/homeofficeR4/mailresponse.asp?tid=21460&amp;em=343455&amp;turl=https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/uk-points-based-immigration-system-further-details-statement/uk-points-based-immigration-system-further-details-statement" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">here</a>. Further guidance for EU, EEA and Swiss students, who from 1 January will need to comply with the new system can be found <a href="https://response.smartcdn.co.uk/homeofficeR4/mailresponse.asp?tid=21460&amp;em=343455&amp;turl=https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/uk-points-based-immigration-system-eu-student-information" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">here</a>.</li><li>EU, EEA and Swiss citizens resident in the UK before 31 December should apply to the <a href="https://response.smartcdn.co.uk/homeofficeR4/mailresponse.asp?tid=21460&amp;em=343455&amp;turl=https://www.gov.uk/settled-status-eu-citizens-families" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">EU settlement scheme</a>.</li></ul> <p><strong><br />EU, EEA and Swiss students resident in the UK by 31 December</strong></p> <p>EU, EEA and Swiss students resident in the UK by 31 December 2020 should not apply for a Student visa through the new points-based immigration system. They, and their family members, are eligible to apply to the EU Settlement Scheme. Those residents here by 31 December 2020 have until 30 June 2021 to do so. More information on the EU Settlement Scheme can be found <a href="https://response.smartcdn.co.uk/homeofficeR4/mailresponse.asp?tid=21460&amp;em=343455&amp;turl=https://www.gov.uk/settled-status-eu-citizens-families" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">here</a>.</p> <p>For more information, please visit the <a href="http://ukcisa.org.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">UK Council for International Student Affairs website</a> or you can contact our Admissions team for step-by-step guidance.</p> <p dir="ltr"><strong><br />Working Whilst Studying</strong></p> <p dir="ltr">Working part time during your studies or in vacation periods can be a great way to get to know other people and boost your skills as well as earning extra money. However, before you take any employment in the UK, you should always check if you have permission to work in the UK. Studying on a student visa may mean that you’re eligible to work for up to 20 hours a week, however each visa is different and some may have less hours or offer no right to work. You should check your visa for any restrictions.</p> <p dir="ltr">The following information is relevant for Arts University Plymouth students who hold a Student Visa. The UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA) regularly posts guidance and advice regarding working in the UK, and we recommend that students <a href="https://www.ukcisa.org.uk/Information--Advice/Working/Student-work">check out their website.</a></p> <p dir="ltr"><strong><br />Does your visa allow you to work in the UK?</strong></p> <p dir="ltr">You can check if you are permitted to work in the UK by firstly looking at what is written on your Student Visa. If you are studying at degree level and your CAS was issued by Arts University Plymouth, you should find that the visa states that you are permitted to work a maximum of 20 hours per week during term time.</p> <p dir="ltr">If you are studying below degree level (for example if you are studying a foundation programme), you may in some instances find that you are restricted to working a maximum of 10 hours per week during term time.</p> <p dir="ltr">If your visa states any of the following phrases this means that you are not permitted to work in the UK:</p><ul><li dir="ltr"><p dir="ltr">No work</p></li><li dir="ltr"><p dir="ltr">Work prohibited</p></li></ul> <p dir="ltr">If your visa does permit you to work in the UK, you must not work more than the number of hours per week you are allowed, as this would be a breach of your immigration conditions and a criminal offence.</p> <p dir="ltr">If you have doubts about your right to work in the UK, the permitted hours, or if the visa says something unusual or something that you don't understand, you should contact the <a href="mailto:international@aup.ac.uk">international office to discuss</a>. It is very important that you check your permission to work and the permitted hours before you do any work in the UK. If you breach the working conditions of your visa, even by accident, both you and your employer could be subject to a substantial fine and prosecution.</p> <p><strong><br />Work that is not eligible under a Student Visa</strong></p> <p><strong>Unfortunately, not all work is eligible under the Student Visa route. This work broadly fits into the following categories:</strong></p><ul><li dir="ltr"><p>Self-Employment</p></li><li dir="ltr"><p dir="ltr">Professional Sportsperson</p></li><li dir="ltr"><p dir="ltr">Entertainer</p></li><li dir="ltr"><p dir="ltr">Permanent Full-Time job</p></li></ul> <p><br />UKCISA has written a very helpful <a href="https://www.ukcisa.org.uk/blog/6257/A-working-definition"><strong>blog</strong></a> regarding working during studies, what is defined as 'self-employed' or an entertainer. It clarifies rules regarding being 'on call', private selling, income from digital and 'influencers', ad-hoc work such as couriering, amongst many other forms of income generation.</p> <p><strong><br />Definition of a week</strong></p> <p>UKVI define a week as a period of 7 days starting with a Monday. During this period, you must not work more than the maximum hours per week allowed by your visa. This weekly limit includes paid work and unpaid work.</p> <p><strong><br />Definition of term time</strong></p> <p>Term time means any period of time when you are expected to do any academic work. For example;</p><ul><li dir="ltr"><p dir="ltr">Attending classes and lectures</p></li><li dir="ltr"><p dir="ltr">Writing essays, dissertations or a thesis</p></li><li dir="ltr"><p dir="ltr">Preparing for and taking exams</p></li><li dir="ltr"><p dir="ltr">Doing coursework</p></li></ul>