Want to study abroad at one of our study centres in the UK or Germany?
Then you’re in the right place. We’re here to help you learn everything you need to know about your visa requirements, the application process, and how to get through it all successfully.
How to apply for your German student visa
Residents from certain countries will need to apply for a student visa to study in Germany. If this applies to you, there’s no need to worry, our dedicated student support team will provide all the guidance and advice you’ll need to get your visa application on the right track.
A step-by-step guide to getting your visa
- Once you’ve met the entry requirements for your course and submitted your supporting documents, you’ll receive an acceptance letter from Arden University Berlin.
- Next, you’ll want to contact the German embassy in your home country to find out about the visa process.
- You’ll need to fill out a visa application form and provide the documents requested by the embassy (see below).
- Once they’ve received your application, you’ll be invited to the embassy for an interview where you’ll provide some information on your reasons for traveling to Germany.
- The processing time is typically around 2-3 months depending on your home country, so make sure to get your application started in time.
- You’ll receive your student visa and be ready to start studying with us in Germany!
And of course, if you ever have any questions along the way, feel free to contact us. You can reach Arden University Berlin’s student support team by email at berlinstudentsupport@arden.ac.uk or alternatively, you can call us on +49 30 235 901 000.
Some of the documents you’ll need to start studying in Germany include:
- A valid passport and birth certificate
- A certificate of health insurance
- 2 passport photos (with biometric specifications)
- Proof of funding in your blocked bank account (minimum €10,332)
- Letter of acceptance from Arden University Berlin
- Academic certificates from your previous studies
- Proof of English language proficiency
- Completed visa application form and fee payment (€75)
- Student residence permit and fee (€110) after entering Berlin
To obtain your student residence permit once you’ve arrived in Berlin, you’ll need to visit the Ausländerbehörde (Foreigners Authority) in your area. You can find out more about this on our accommodation services page.
We recommend that international students open a blocked bank account to facilitate the visa application process. A blocked bank account is simply one which contains funds you’ll only be able to access once you’ve arrived in Germany. Opening this type of account will reassure the German authorities that you have access to sufficient funds during your time studying in Berlin (a minimum of €10,332 for your first year of study).
Our partner organisation, Expatrio, can help you set up your blocked account, arrange health insurance, as well as a range of other useful student services.
How can Expatrio help you with your visa application process?
Expatrio student services
- Expatrio can help you set up a blocked bank account online from your home country before you apply for your visa. Proving you have the funds to support yourself is essential for obtaining your German student visa.
- Public or private health insurance coverage is mandatory for all residents in Germany. Expatrio can help students under the age of 30 register for public insurance at a discounted student rate.
- You’ll also need to set up a German current account. This isn’t a requirement for obtaining your visa, but it’s a good idea to have this completed prior to your arrival in Germany. You can then arrange your living costs to be transferred from your blocked account into your current account on a monthly basis.
- Expatrio can arrange your International Student Identity Card (ISIC), which gives you access to 150,000 discounts in over 130 countries (such as on leisure, food, and travel). The card is also a useful proof of ID and of your student status.
- Approved by the German Federal Foreign Office
- Individual German IBAN
- Official 'Opening Confirmation' within minutes
- Low fees: €49 (set-up) & €5 (monthly)
- Fast customer service with a 24-hour response guarantee
- Money-back guarantee in case of visa refusal
- Monthly cancellation or extension possible
- Optional: free current account for payouts
- For more information about the full range of services Expatrio provides to Arden University Berlin students, please visit the Expatrio website.
How to apply for your UK student visa
All international students who want to study a full-time degree in the UK are required to get a student visa (Tier 4). This can be carried out online, by post, or in person. Make sure you check the visa guidelines for your home country before starting your application.
A step-by-step guide to getting your visa
1. Once you’ve been accepted to your Arden University course, you’ll receive a reference number known as the Confirmation of Acceptance of Studies (CAS), which you’ll use to support your student visa application form.
2. You can apply for your visa up to 3 months prior to the start of your course. Make sure to start early so that you can get your visa in time.
3. To get the process going, you’ll need to collect your supporting documents (see below), submit a completed visa application form, and pay the application fees and immigration health surcharge.
4. The next step will be to book a biometrics appointment at a UK visa application centre in your area to have your photograph and fingerprints taken.
5. You may be asked to attend an interview to provide some additional information on your reasons for traveling to the UK.
6. You’ll receive your student visa and be ready to start studying with us in the UK!
Some of the documents you’ll need to start studying in the UK include:
- A valid passport and birth certificate
- A Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) from Arden University
- 2 passport-size photographs
- Proof of funding (£1,334/month for London and £1,023/month for the rest of the UK)
- Immigration health surcharge payment form (£470/year of study)
- Academic certificates mentioned in the CAS form
- English language proficiency mentioned in the CAS form
- Tuberculosis test results (for citizens of certain countries)
- Translation of important documents (if any)
- Completed visa application form and fee payment (£348)
- Other requirements that may vary depending on your country of origin
And of course, if you ever have any questions along the way, feel free to contact us. You can reach Arden University UK’s student support team by email at info@arden.ac.uk or alternatively, you can call us on +44 (0)2476 515700.
