English schools in the UK that can issue a CAS for Student visa
Only 5 of 20+ top schools are UKVI sponsors. If you plan to move to a degree after your English course, you must choose a sponsor school
Most English language schools in the UK are not UKVI-licensed sponsors. If you plan to switch to a Student visa to continue your studies, choose a sponsor school — otherwise you will need to leave the UK and re-apply. The filter below shows the 5 schools that can issue a CAS and sponsor your Student visa.
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School filter
Only sponsor schools can issue a CAS and act as your Student visa sponsor
British Council and English UK accreditation = verified teaching quality
| School | Cities | Accreditation | Price £/week | UKVI Sponsor | Visa route |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| International House London | London | BCEUK | £378-445/wk | ✓ Sponsor | Visitor / Short-term / Student |
| LSI Education (London + Brighton) | London, Brighton | BCEUK | £310-365/wk | ✓ Sponsor | Visitor / Short-term / Student |
| BSC Education | London | BCEUK | £214-225/wk | ✓ Sponsor | Visitor / Short-term / Student |
| Kaplan International | London, Bournemouth | BCEUK | £300-400/wk | ✓ Sponsor | Visitor / Short-term / Student |
| Oxford International Education | Brighton, London | BCEUK | £258-345/wk | ✓ Sponsor | Visitor / Short-term / Student |
5 UKVI sponsor schools are highlighted in green. Only they can issue a CAS — Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies — required for a Student visa. The other 15 excellent schools are for Visitor/Short-term visa only.
What UKVI sponsor status means
UKVI (UK Visas and Immigration) grants a separate licence to educational institutions that want to enrol students on a Student visa. Without this licence, a school cannot:
- Issue a CAS (Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies)
- Act as an official Student visa sponsor
- Enrol students on English-only courses of 12+ months on a Student visa
If you want to start with an English course and then move to a Bachelor's or Master's, choose a sponsor school — this allows you to extend your status from within the UK or switch directly to a Student visa.
Key distinction. Three different visa routes exist: Visitor visa (up to 6 months, any school), Short-term study visa (6-11 months, any school), Student visa (12+ months or English-only 12+ at a UKVI sponsor). The third route requires a sponsor school.
Check your route: 3-question visa picker →
Manchester vs Brighton vs London: cost comparison
Schools exist in all three cities, but living costs differ significantly:
Rent figures: median studio/one-bed, Rightmove 2026. For Student visa maintenance: £1,483/month × 9 (London) or £1,136/month × 9 (regions).
Direct booking vs agency
UK English schools traditionally work through agents. Oxford English Academy publicly states a 30% commission — meaning on a £10,000 course, the agent earns £3,000.
Conflict of interest. An agent earning 30% commission recommends the school with the highest commission, not the best fit for you. This means UKVI sponsor schools with a higher direct price may still be better value overall — if you book directly and save the agency fee.
For direct booking at the 5 sponsor schools: contact them directly via their website — you can save £1,000+ per course.
Full breakdown: Agency vs DIY — £3,600 at stake →
Frequently asked questions
Can I extend an English course while staying in the UK?
It depends on your visa type. On a Short-term study visa — you cannot extend from within the UK; you must leave and apply for a new visa. On a Student visa at a UKVI sponsor — you can extend the course and status from within the UK using a new CAS. This is why choosing the right school and visa from the start is critical.
Can I work on an English course?
On a Visitor visa and Short-term study visa — no work permitted at all. On a Student visa at a UKVI sponsor — up to 20 hours per week during term and full-time during holidays. This is one of the key reasons to choose a Student visa through a sponsor school if you plan to stay longer than 11 months.
Do I need IELTS to enrol in an English school?
No. English language schools run their own placement test when you enrol — no IELTS required. You will be placed in the appropriate group based on your level. IELTS is needed later for moving to a Bachelor's or Master's programme, not to enrol in a language school.
What is a CAS and when is it issued?
CAS — Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies — is an electronic code that the school or university sends to UKVI after enrolment. Without a CAS you cannot apply for a Student visa. Only UKVI-licensed sponsors can issue a CAS. The code is valid for 6 months from the date of creation.
Do all 5 sponsor schools accept students from Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan?
All 5 sponsor schools accept students from all countries without specific restrictions. Nationals of Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan — no restrictions. Student visa refusal rates from these countries: 0.65-2.65% according to Home Office data — among the lowest in the world. More: Refusal rates by country →
What is British Council and English UK accreditation?
British Council (BC) annually inspects language schools on 15+ criteria: teaching quality, facilities, equipment, student welfare. English UK (EUK) is a professional association with even stricter membership requirements. Both accreditations are independent quality checks, not just marketing.
Can I move directly from an English course to a Bachelor's without Foundation?
Directly — rarely. Most Russell Group universities require A-levels, a Foundation Year, an IB, or the first year of a foreign university. An English course provides IELTS and language skills, but does not replace an academic qualification. Exception: some post-92 universities may accept Year 1 entry with a school certificate + IELTS 6.5+ after intensive English. Check individual university entry requirements.
For information only. School data is based on open sources, British Council Register and UKVI Sponsor Register (gov.uk) as at May 2026. Prices and sponsor status may change — verify directly with the school. This is not immigration advice; for personal consultation — IAA-regulated lawyer →