Template — UK — Editorial-only
CAS appeal letter for UK Student Route
A Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) can be withdrawn by the sponsoring institution if the student's documents are incomplete, if the financial evidence does not meet the 28-day rule, or if the English language requirement is not satisfied. Some sponsors also withdraw a CAS if the student misses a deposit deadline or fails to meet academic conditions. This template structures an internal appeal to the sponsor institution. It does not address UKVI visa refusals — those require a new CAS and a new visa application, not a CAS appeal.
Who this template is for
- Students whose CAS was withdrawn by the university for incomplete or non-compliant documents.
- Applicants who have since obtained corrected or updated evidence that resolves the original issue.
- Students who missed a CAS deadline due to circumstances they can document (e.g., bank delay, test centre closure).
- Applicants appealing within the sponsor's stated deadline (typically 10–20 working days).
Annotated template
Submit through the university's admissions appeals portal or by email to the designated appeals contact. Replace bracketed fields.
CAS APPEAL LETTER [Your full name] [Your address] [Email] [Phone] [Student ID number] [Date] To: Admissions Appeals Office [Sponsor institution name] [Address] Re: Appeal against CAS withdrawal — [Program name] — [Student ID] 1. CAS DETAILS Original CAS number: [CAS number] Date of issue: [DD MMM YYYY] Date of withdrawal notice: [DD MMM YYYY] Reason for withdrawal stated by the sponsor: [exact reason from the notice] 2. GROUNDS FOR APPEAL I am appealing the withdrawal of my CAS on the following grounds: Ground 1: [Corrected document] The CAS was withdrawn because [specific reason, e.g., "bank statement did not show 28 consecutive days"]. I have since obtained a corrected bank statement from [Bank name] showing a balance of £[amount] held continuously from [date] to [date]. The statement is attached. Ground 2: [Corrected document] [Explanation of the second issue and the corrected evidence.] Ground 3: [Extenuating circumstances, if applicable] [If the withdrawal was due to a missed deadline caused by a documented external factor, e.g., a bank delay or a test centre closure, state the factor and attach evidence.] 3. CORRECTED EVIDENCE ATTACHED • [Document 1: description and date] • [Document 2: description and date] • [Document 3: description and date] 4. REQUEST I respectfully request that the sponsor reinstates my CAS so that I may proceed with my Student Route visa application. All corrected documents are genuine and available for verification. I understand that the final decision rests with the sponsor and that I must comply with all UKVI and sponsor requirements. Yours sincerely, [Signature] [Printed name] [Student ID]
Annotation — Sponsor vs UKVI: This letter is for internal sponsor appeals only. If UKVI refused the visa (not the CAS), the student needs a new CAS from the sponsor and must submit a new visa application. There is no appeal process for a UKVI Student Route refusal — the only route is judicial review, which requires legal representation. See GOV.UK — Student visa.
Annotation — Deadlines: Most UK universities have a strict appeals window, often 10–20 working days from the withdrawal notice. Appeals submitted after the deadline are usually rejected without consideration. Check the sponsor's appeals policy before writing.
Annotation — Evidence: The appeal must be based on corrected facts or documented extenuating circumstances. Emotional appeals ("I really want to study here") are not grounds for reinstatement. The evidence must directly address the reason stated in the withdrawal notice.
Worked example
Student I's CAS for an MSc in Finance at University K was withdrawn because a £12,000 deposit lacked a source explanation. The appeal letter explains the deposit as property sale proceeds, attaches the sale deed and transfer record, and provides a new bank statement showing the required balance held for 35 consecutive days. Submitted within 12 working days, University K reinstates the CAS.
Prerequisites before you start
- Confirm the appeal deadline with your sponsor's admissions office — most allow 10–20 working days from the withdrawal notice. Calendar it immediately.
- Obtain the corrected documents that directly address each reason stated in the withdrawal notice. Attach originals where possible; certified copies if the original is unavailable.
- Contact your international student office for a copy of the sponsor's appeals policy and any institution-specific appeal form requirement.
Common mistakes
- Appealing after the sponsor's stated deadline has passed.
- Submitting the same documents that caused the withdrawal without correction.
- Confusing a CAS withdrawal with a UKVI visa refusal — the appeal routes are different.
- Writing an emotional appeal instead of addressing the specific grounds stated in the withdrawal notice — officers only consider corrected facts and documented extenuating circumstances.
Next steps after CAS reinstatement
Once the sponsor reinstates the CAS, you can proceed with the Student Route visa application. The new CAS will have updated details and a new CAS number. Submit the visa application within the CAS validity period (typically 3–6 months) and do not reuse the withdrawn CAS number in any correspondence. If the appeal is denied, ask the sponsor whether a fresh CAS application for a later intake is possible, or consider whether a different sponsor institution with a similar program is a viable alternative. Review the UKVI Student Route financial requirement and English language criteria again before re-applying, as policy changes may affect your evidence requirements.
Cited sources
Reviewer
This template was prepared by MyCaseworks Editorial. Reviewer programs for UK matters (SRA-regulated solicitors) are under development; until those programs launch, UK templates are editorial-only. For case-specific legal advice, retain a solicitor regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority.