Travel related

We understand students may need to travel abroad at short notice for many reasons such as a family wedding or illness within the family. Travelling during term-time can be permitted but you must complete an authorised absence form.

The authorised absence form is required if you are absent for 3-days or longer. Longer absences should be discussed with your Faculty Retention Success Officer. If you believe your absence might affect your academic performance, you should read our guidance on Extenuating Circumstances in case you need to make a claim.

Failure to notify your Faculty Retention Success Officer of your absences, can lead to withdrawal from studies resulting in the cancellation of your Student visa.

See our full guidance on travelling during your studies.

Travelling outside the UK with a pending visa application is not recommended as the immigration rules say your application may be treated as a withdrawal if you leave the UK.

If you have a pending application but must leave the UK, please contact the International Student Advice Service for advice.

It is reasonable after working hard to complete your studies, you may want to go on vacation to celebrate or visit family and friends back home. However, in the circumstance you have completed your studies early, this is reported to UKVI to notify them your visa duration is no longer indicative of the amount of study you have remaining.

This means you will have a pending visa cancellation notice. In this scenario, travelling is not recommended as leaving the UK whilst having a pending cancellation may mean that you are not permitted to re-enter the UK.

If you are thinking of travelling in this scenario, please contact the International Student Advice Service for advice.

It is normal for family members to be missing you since you travelled to the UK or to want to celebrate your graduation ceremony with you. If your family wish to visit, they would require a Standard Visitor visa.

A letter of invitation is required, and we have a template you can use.

This letter of invitation would have to be written by yourself as you would be inviting your family.

We have a webpage dedicated to inviting visitors to the UK, so please check this out.

Do not worry if your student visa has expired or will expire before the date of your graduation ceremony, you may still be able to attend by applying for a Standard Visitor visa to return to the UK.

Your application may be helped by supplying your invitation to the awards ceremony and your official results letter.

Further details can be found on our webpage.