All new students must present identification documents at New Student Check-In. This includes UK students and students who have previously studied at the RCM and are beginning a new course in September. Without proof of identity we will be unable to complete the New Student Check-In process, which allows you to begin your studies. The RCM is required to confirm your identity and that you have the right to study in the UK, along with your eligibility for UK and US student loans (if applicable). Documents presented must be originals (not photocopies/photos on phones) unless specified below.
If you think you may have difficulty presenting the required documents, contact registration@rcm.ac.uk before New Student Check-In for advice.
If you intend to pursue any work opportunities during your course you will also need your documents to demonstrate to employers that you have the right to work in the UK – another important reason to bring these with you to London.
Please do not travel to the UK before the start date of your visa entry clearance vignette/digital immigration status, as your visa will not yet be activated and the RCM will not be able to register you. If you arrive too early you will have to leave the UK and re-enter during the validity period of your visa.
UK and Irish students
Required documents:
- UK or Irish passport (if your passport has expired this is can still be accepted provided the photo is recognisable)
- OR Irish passport card
If you do not have a passport you should provide two of the following:
- photocard driving licence
- birth certificate
- official document showing National Insurance number
- Other form of photo ID
Photocard driving licenses alone are not sufficient for this purpose as they do not provide proof of nationality.
EU Settlement Scheme
EU/EEA and Swiss students, and relevant family members, who were resident in the UK before the Brexit transition period ended on 31 December 2020 and have protected rights documented through the EU Settlement Scheme.
Required documents:
- Valid passport or national ID card.
- Digital evidence of Settled or Pre-Settled Status
Most new EU/EEA students should already have submitted evidence of their residence status to the RCM prior to New Student Check-in. If you have not yet done so, please e-mail your share code and date of birth to international@rcm.ac.uk by Monday 9 September 2024. When generating your share code, please give the reason for needing one as 'other'.
If you are still awaiting a decision on an application or appeal under the EU Settlement Scheme let us know at international@rcm.ac.uk.
Student Visa holders with digital status
Depending on your nationality and place of application, some Student Visa holders will be issued with a digital immigration status. This mostly applies to EU/EEA and Swiss nationals.
Required documents:
- Valid passport (national ID cards are not accepted)
- Digital immigration status (see below)
- For students who applied outside the UK only, proof of date of entry to the UK
Please email your digital immigration status share code and date of birth to international@rcm.ac.uk by Monday 9 September 2024 (i.e. before New Student Check-in). When generating your share code, please give the reason for needing one as 'other'.
Examples of proof of date of UK entry can be a border stamp in your passport or, if you entered using the e-gates at the airport, your boarding pass or travel ticket. Tickets and boarding passes can be shown on your phone to RCM staff at New Student Check-in; hard copies are not required.
Student Visa holder - applied outside the UK
Required documents:
- Valid passport (national ID cards are not accepted)
- Valid entry clearance vignette
- Proof of date of entry to the UK
- Valid Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) for the course for which you are registering, if you have already collected it.
Examples of proof of date of UK entry can be a border stamp in your passport or, if you entered using the e-gates at the airport, your boarding pass or travel ticket. Tickets and boarding passes can be shown on your phone to RCM staff at New Student Check-in; hard copies are not required.
If you have not yet collected your BRP from the Post Office, you can register without it. Bring your BRP to the Registry (located in the Exchange - SG01) for checking as soon as it is available.
Student Visa holder - applied inside the UK
Required documents:
- Valid passport (national ID cards are not accepted)
- Valid Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) for the course for which you are registering
If your visa application is currently being considered by the Home Office, the RCM can still complete the New Student Check-in process if you provide:
- Valid passport (national ID cards are not accepted)
- BRP for your previous period of permission (this can be a photocopy if you have been asked to send the original to the Home Office)
- Print-out of e-mail from UKVI confirming you have submitted your Student Visa application
Students who have just completed another course at the RCM and still have valid permission on their current visa can use this for New Student Check-in if required. They must submit a visa application within six weeks of the start of term.
***All students registering while their visa application is still being processed should note that they do so at their own risk. In the event of a visa refusal, students would remain liable for course fees for the first term if they have already commenced study.
Students with Standard Visitor permission
Non-UK students on short programmes (including exchanges lasting one term, Boston and Princeton University Experience Programme and NAFA BMus/BEd/Masters London Placements) can study with Standard Visitor permission.
Required documents:
- Valid passport (national ID cards are not accepted)
- Valid entry clearance vignette (only applies to visa nationals who were required to apply for entry clearance before travel).
- Proof of date of entry to the UK
Examples of proof of date of UK entry can be a border stamp in your passport or, if you entered using the e-gates at the airport, your boarding pass or travel ticket. Tickets and boarding passes can be shown on your phone to RCM staff at New Student Check-in; hard copies are not required.
Other types of immigration permission
Examples of other acceptable types of immigration permission include: Indefinite Leave to Remain, Dependent Visa, Global Talent Visa, Ancestry Visa. It is not permitted to enrol on any of the RCM’s courses on a Graduate Visa.
Required documents:
- Valid passport (national ID cards are not accepted)
- Valid Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) OR vignette in passport