How to apply as an international student at De Montfort University

Where can I get an update on my CAS?

The university is closed between 25 December 2025 and 4 January 2026. We will get back to you with an update on your CAS after this date.

If you have applied through an agent, please also check in with them in case they have an update to share with you.

Please ensure you have submitted all relevant documentation to support the issuing of your CAS as swiftly as possible upon the University reopening.

When can I expect to hear the outcome of my credibility interview?

Outcomes are issued within 5 working days. Please note, Saturdays and Sundays are non-working days. The 25 December and 1 January are also non-working days.

Minor delays may occur due to reduced working hours over the festive period, but we aim to deliver outcomes within the specified 5 working days.

Is DMU still accepting applications for the January/February intake?

Applications for this intake closed on 15 December 2025.

Our next available intake is April 2026 for:

• International Business Management MSc (delivered at DMU Leicester)
• International Business with Sustainable Management (delivered at DMU London)

Applications are considered on a rolling basis, so we encourage you to apply as soon as possible.

When will I receive a decision on my application?

DMU will be closed over the Christmas period (25 December 2025 to 4 January 2026), with our Admissions team returning on Monday 5 January.

We will continue to process remaining decisions after the break.

Please ensure you have submitted all relevant documentation to support the issuing of your CAS as swiftly as possible upon the University reopening.

How long does it take to receive a CAS?

Once you have met all offer conditions and accepted your offer, we will assess you for a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS).

To avoid delays, we recommend preparing and submitting all requested documents in advance (for example, financial evidence and English language results). Details of required documents will be included in your offer letter.

How long does the visa process take?

Please note that visa processing times given by UKVI are subject to change.

Students applying for a visa between 9–16 January are recommended, and in some cases required, to use the fastest visa service available in their region (for example, priority or super priority).

For up-to-date guidance on UKVI visa processing times, please visit:
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/visa-processing-times-applications-outside-the-uk

When do I need to apply for my visa?

You can apply for your visa once we have issued your Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS).

Students applying for their visa between 9–16 January 2026 will be expected to use either a priority or super priority visa service to ensure arrival ahead of the start of teaching.

Who can I contact if I have a question with regards to my credibility interview during the Christmas closure?

Please ensure you include your name, DMU ID number, and the course you have applied for in any correspondence.

For credibility queries, please contact DMUinternational@dmu.ac.uk.

Students from Sub-Saharan Africa can apply directly to DMU by completing the PDF application form and sending it to ssafrica@dmu.ac.uk along with your supporting documents (Transcripts and Certificates, Personal Statements (SOP), English Language evidence and Passport).

The application checklist provided below will help you to apply directly.

UCAS

UCAS (University and Colleges Admissions Service) is an online application system where you can apply for undergraduate courses at DMU using the Institution Code: DEM/D26.x

Applicant checklist

Academic transcripts

You need to submit your latest academic transcripts for the application to be considered. Some courses in the Arts, Design and Humanities faculty may require a portfolio as part of the application. More information can be found on the portfolio advice page.

Proof of English language proficiency

For the full list of suitable documents, please visit the country-specific entry requirements page and your course page.

View a full list of other English Language proficiency tests accepted

Personal statement

Your personal statement will usually be about 500 words. As well as telling us a bit more about you as an individual, you should explain your motivations for pursuing your desired course at DMU and in Leicester, and how the course will benefit your career or academic aspirations.

Applicants with a two-year gap in their undergraduate education or a five-year gap in their postgraduate education are generally expected to submit an enhanced personal statement.

You may also be asked to complete an EPS if you have previous visa refusals, or your application is perceived to carry a high risk. 

However, if you are a sponsored student by a government body, or, if you are a national of one of the countries listed in UKVI's Countries of Differential Evidence, you are exempt from submitting an EPS.

References

Generally, a referee will be somebody who has known you in an academic or professional setting.

Your referee must explain why they think you will be suitable for the course. It should include the date, your details and the details of the referee along with their signature.

The contact email address of the referee must be an official email address and not a personal one (for example, Gmail).

Copy of your passport

A scanned copy of your passport will be required to proceed with your application.

Unconditional Offer – If you meet all the requirements on the entry criteria for your course, you will receive an unconditional offer. This means you can proceed with the next steps to get to the UK. These will be explained on your offer letter.

Conditional Offer – You will be able to see your conditions on your offer letter. You should submit evidence to demonstrate that you have met these conditions to the university to receive an unconditional offer.

Reject – If your application does not meet the entry criteria, it may be rejected.

Refer - Where possible, you will be referred to other courses that you may qualify for, or, you may be referred to the DMU International College.

Individuals of certain nationalities have a higher likelihood of unsuccessful visa applications. As such, the university requires students from India, Libya, Sri Lanka, Nigeria, Pakistan, Nepal, Ghana, Iran, Iraq, Bangladesh and Vietnam to attend a credibility interview process in their conditional offer letters.

During this process, you will be tested on your abilities to demonstrate your knowledge of studying at DMU as an international student.

In addition to this, document checks will include:

• Your passport
• Evidence of funding to cover your tuition and living expenses in the UK

If you are a national of Nigeria or Ghana, you need to pay a minimum refundable deposit of £1,000 to enter the credibility process. Please send the payment receipt along with your offer letter to ssafrica@dmu.ac.uk and request a credibility interview to be scheduled.

If you are a national of Iran, you need to email your offer letter to menaca@dmu.ac.uk and request a credibility interview to be scheduled. No payment is required to enter the credibility process.

If you are a nationl of India or Sri Lanka, you need to pay a minimum refundable deposit of £1,000 to enter the credibility process. If you are supported by an agent, please forward the payment receipt to them. For direct applicants, please send the payment receipt along with your offer letter to india@dmu.ac.uk and request a credibility interview to be scheduled

If you are a national of Nepal, Bangladesh, Pakistan and Afghanistan, you need to have passed one of the accepted English tests at the required entry level for your course. Following that, you need to pay a minimum of £1,000 of your tuition fee as a refundable deposit to enter the credibility process and send the proof of payment to RoSa@dmu.ac.uk

If you are unsuccessful in the interview, you may request a full refund of your deposit. You will not be able to make another application until the next intake.

See more information on how to prepare for the credibility interview.

You need to pay a minimum of 50% of your first year’s tuition fee to receive your CAS (Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies) letter, which has a unique reference number to apply for your visa.

Paying the deposit shows your commitment to studying at DMU and helps demonstrate that you are a committed student.

If some or all of your tuition fee and/or living costs are covered by a financial sponsor, you will need to provide a financial guarantee letter from your sponsor. The letter must be on an official headed paper that includes the following,

• Your full name and date of birth as on your passport
• Full name and logo of your financial sponsor
• Your course name and start date as mentioned on the offer letter
• Date of the issuance of the sponsor letter, the signature of the sponsor, and an official stamp of the organisation
• The amount of the tuition fee or living costs that will be covered by your sponsor.

You must show evidence of the remaining money in an eligible bank account.

 In order to qualify as an official financial sponsor, the sponsor must fall under one of the following categories:

• A government
• The British Council or an international organization
• An international company
• A university or a UK independent school
• The US Government's Federal Student Aid program

After receiving the CAS document, you may now proceed to applying for your student visa. Advice and guidance are provided in our dedicated visa advice page.

Applicants who have made DMU their firm choice by making a minimum 50% deposit will have to register before they can start their academic year. There are two steps in registration.

Preliminary registration (online) – A preliminary registration link will be sent to you via email.

Face-to-face registration (on campus)– After completing the online registration, you will receive another link to book your face-to-face registration on campus. This is the final step of registration before you can receive your university identity card and start your course This is the final step of registration before you can receive your university identity card. This is usually done in-person after you arrive on the campus.