After Selection: From UK Scholarship Offer to Arrival

After Selection: What You Need to Know

You got the scholarship. Now what? The CAS letter, the visa application, paying the health surcharge, opening a UK bank account and your arrival checklist. Here's the order things happen in.

From Offer to Arrival

1. 1
   Spring – summer 2027

   Accept your offer and meet the conditions

   Accept your university offer, meet any conditions (Chevening needs an unconditional offer by 8 July 2027) and pay the deposit many universities ask for before a CAS — often £2,000–2,500.

2. 2
   Receive your CAS

   Your university issues a CAS (Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies) number. Chevening scholars also need their Financial Award Letter from Chevening. Visa guide.

3. 3
   Prepare your money

   Funds must sit in your account for 28 consecutive days: £1,529 a month in London or £1,171 elsewhere for up to nine months, plus unpaid tuition — reduced by any official scholarship funding.

4. 4
   Up to 6 months before your course

   Apply for your Student visa

   Pay the £558 fee and the £776-a-year health surcharge upfront (Chevening scholars are exempt). Standard decisions take about three weeks. NHS surcharge guide.

5. 5
   Set up your eVisa and book travel

   Your immigration status is an eVisa in your UKVI account; physical BRP cards are no longer issued.

6. 6
   Sep – Oct 2027

   Arrive and open a bank account

   Register with your university and a GP. Opening a UK bank account can take weeks, not days, so bring enough money or a card that works abroad for the first month.

Before You Rely on This

The British Council provides guidance and information about UK study, but each university and programme has its own specific requirements. Always verify details directly with your chosen institution, and cross-reference with our Chevening, Commonwealth and Study in UK guides.

Common mistakes to avoid

Don't assume all information is current — UK immigration and scholarship rules change frequently. Don't rely on a single source. Don't leave things to the last minute. And definitely don't confuse the British Council (an information hub) with the actual scholarship providers.

Practical tips

Start early. Apply to multiple opportunities at once. Get your IELTS done well before deadlines. Build genuine connections with your target universities. Have a clear "why UK" story. And always have a financial backup plan — even fully funded scholarships sometimes have unexpected gaps.

Useful Links

• British Council Study UK
• UK Government: Student visa
• UCAS
• Chevening Scholarship Guide
• Commonwealth Scholarship Guide
• Study in UK Complete Guide

Related Guides