Overview

• Negotiations between UCL and the Home Office resulted in additional CAS numbers, reversing earlier warnings that places might be deferred to 2026.
• Hundreds of students were affected just before term, including about 200 from China who could not obtain required visa documents.
• UCL said affected students can now begin their studies and issued an apology for the disruption after acknowledging confusing communications.
• The university offered £1,000 to cover UKVI super priority service costs, with teams contacting students and issuing CAS documents.
• Some students reported they were still awaiting confirmation, and taught postgraduate arrivals were told to be in the UK by 10 October.