What is a CAS?
All students coming to the UK to study at a higher education institution (HEI) have to be ‘sponsored’ by their institution.
The RCM will issue you with a CAS, which is a number linked to an electronic record of your details that can be seen by UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) in their computer system.
This confirms that the RCM has offered you an unconditional place and wishes to sponsor you to come to the UK. You cannot submit a visa application until you have obtained a CAS number. A CAS is valid for 6 months from the date it is issued.
How to request a CAS
Check that you have met all the conditions of your offer and that your place on your course is guaranteed unconditional (GU). This will be displayed on your UCAS Conservatoires Track record if you applied to the RCM through UCAS Conservatoires. If you are unsure please contact our Admissions team.
What happens next?
Once you have submitted your request the RCM will process your details and issue your CAS. At peak times we receive a lot of CAS requests, so please allow plenty of time for this.
The RCM will e-mail you a CAS statement. This is a print-out of what UKVI can see on their computer system.You do not need to enclose this with your visa application. Check your CAS statement carefully. The ‘Evidence Provided’ section will list any academic certificates you have used to meet the conditions of your course.
We recommend that you carry a print-out of your CAS Statement with you when you enter the UK. Doing so can speed up the time it takes to get across the UK border.
Enquiries
If you are having difficulty with your CAS or if you are unsure whether or not your offer is guaranteed unconditional, please contact our International team who will be happy to advise you.
