What Is a CAS Letter? Every Field Explained (With Examples)
Your CAS is the backbone of your UK visa application. Here is what each field means, what to check, and what to do if something is wrong.
The Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) is issued by your university through the Home Office's sponsor system. Officially it is just a reference number, but universities send you a "CAS statement" so you can see what was reported. Read it like a lawyer — every line will be compared with your visa form.
The fields that matter most
| Field | What to check |
|---|---|
| Sponsor licence number | Must match your university (not an agent) |
| Course title & level | Same as your offer letter, correct RQF level (7 for a master's) |
| Course start and end dates | Drives your visa dates — flag any change immediately |
| Course fees for the year | Must match what you will prove financially |
| Fees already paid | Reduces the money you need to show — make sure deposits appear |
| Evidence used to obtain offer | Lists your degree, transcripts and English test |
| ATAS required | If yes, you need the certificate before applying |
If your application is refused, the CAS is spent. Your university must issue a new one, and not every university will. This is why getting your finances right the first time is so important.
Reading the money section
Suppose your CAS shows fees of £24,000 and "fees paid" of £6,000. You need to prove £18,000 in tuition plus living costs. Outside London that is £1,136 × 9 = £10,224. Total: £28,224, held for 28 days.
If you paid accommodation to the university in advance, up to £1,334 of that can also reduce the living-cost figure — but only if it appears on the CAS.
When to ask for changes
Universities can update a CAS before you apply. Ask for a correction when:
- Your name or passport number is spelt differently from your passport.
- A deposit you paid is missing from "fees paid".
- Your English evidence is not listed and you were asked for it at offer stage.
- The start date moved (common for pre-sessional English courses).
Keep every CAS statement you receive in one folder with your offer letter and bank statements. Upload them to the Documents tab of your Arrive UK dashboard and our scanner will pull the reference number straight into your profile, so nothing is lost when you land.
Pre-sessional English and "CAS for both courses"
If you are doing a pre-sessional course followed by your degree, you may receive a single combined CAS covering both, or two separate ones. A combined CAS avoids applying twice. Ask your admissions team which they use — it affects how much money you must show and when.
After the visa is granted
Your CAS has done its job, but the university must still report your enrolment to UKVI within ten working days of the course starting. Miss registration week and your sponsorship can be withdrawn. Our 2-Week Arrival package is timed around registration so you are in Oxford, settled and enrolled with days to spare. Parents can follow every step through the parent portal.
Read next: the full UK Student Visa guide and how to show your finances correctly.
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