Pembroke College Cambridge

Semester Visa Information

All nationals of a country other than the United Kingdom or Republic of Ireland require the relevant immigration permission to study in the UK. Those attending the Spring or Fall Semester Programme will be able to come to the UK under the Visitor route which allows study for up to 6 months.  

A status as a visitor in the UK has the following restrictions:

  • You cannot take employment in the UK (including part-time or full-time vacation employment);
  • You cannot undertake a work placement/internship (paid/unpaid) as part of the course of study;
  • You cannot work on a self-employed basis in the UK or be involved in business activities;
  • You cannot extend your stay in the UK;
  • You must have the funds to support yourself during your studies in the UK.

Pembroke will issue you a letter to support entry to the UK for a short course of study.

If you already have UK Immigration permission in another category you may be able to participate in the Semester Programme on that. You will need to provide evidence of this prior to starting at Cambridge.

Whether you need to apply for this visa in advance (prior to travelling to the UK) or whether you can request entry as a visitor at immigration control on arrival in the UK depends on your nationality:

Non-visa nationals

If your country is not included on the list of visa nationals, you are not required to apply for a visa in advance of travelling to the UK. You can request entry as a visitor at immigration control on arrival. You may need to explain to a Border Force Officer the reasons for your stay in the UK and provide the visa letter issued by Pembroke. You will receive an entry stamp in your passport to reflect your visitor permission. This will be checked by Pembroke after arrival.  

eGates nationals

Students from the EEA, Switzerland, Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, Singapore, South Korea and the USA can use the eGates on arrival in the UK and have automatic entry as a visitor if they do not already hold alternative permission. If you use the eGates you will not speak to Border Force or receive a stamp in your passport. You will therefore need to provide alternative evidence to Pembroke of your date of entry to the UK (such as your boarding pass) in addition to your passport to confirm your entry to the UK as a visitor.

Visa nationals

Students from certain countries, i.e. visa nationals, are required to apply for, and obtain, a visitor visa before travelling to the UK. The list of visa nationals is outlined in the Immigration Rules.

Information on the application, including the required supporting documents, is given on the Home Office website. You should make the following selections on the application form to ensure that you apply for the correct visa:

What is the primary reason for my visit to the UK?

In the visa application from you’ll be asked to selected the primary purpose of your visit the UK. Please select:

Short-term study (up to 6 months), including a recreation course

What address do I provide?

If you're asked to provide the address where you will be staying during your time in Cambridge, please use the following: 

Pembroke College, Cambridge, CB2 1RF, United Kingdom.

Who is the accommodation officer?

If you're asked to provide details of the accommodation officer please use the following: 

Ms Laura Fazenda, Pembroke College, Cambridge, CB2 1RF, United Kingdom. Telephone number: +44 (0)1223 339732.

Important visa information

Under no circumstances should you apply for a short-term study visa or student visa to attend the Pembroke Fall or Spring Semester Programme.

When will I receive my visa letter?

If you're confirmed to attend a semester programme at Pembroke, we usually begin to send visa invitation letters to you around (but no earlier than) 3 months before the start of the programme. 

Your passport and visitor visa will be checked by Pembroke after arrival.  

Combining the Fall Semester and Spring Semester Programmes

If you are attending the programme for the full academic year, you will need to apply for a student visa. Students must apply for this visa, and obtain their entry permit, prior to travelling to the UK. You would be issued a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) to support your student visa application by the University’s International Student Office.

Detailed information about the student visa application process is outlined on the University’s International Students website. As a student sponsored by the University for a student visa, you will need to understand and comply with the responsibilities of your student visa.