International students & visas

Visa guidance for international students

Leiths Education welcomes international students who wish to study in the UK on the Leiths Culinary Diploma, our shorter professional courses and other specialist programmes.

You can usually study with one of the following visa types:

Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA)

• Available to eligible nationalities
• Permits study for up to six months at an accredited provider such as Leiths
• Must be obtained before travelling to the UK

Standard visitor visa

• Available to all nationalities eligible for visitor entry
• Permits study for up to six months at an accredited provider such as Leiths
• You must apply for this visa before travelling

Leiths Education only issues a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) for students enrolled to complete the full Leiths Culinary Diploma. In some cases, students with the appropriate experience can gain their Culinary Diploma by doing the Professional and Diploma Certificates, and skipping the Core Certificate. You are responsible for arranging your own visa or travel authorisation before arrival.

Students studying under ETA or visitor permissions must follow UK immigration conditions: 

• You can study in the UK for up to six months
• You cannot work, paid or unpaid, or undertake a work placement
• You cannot extend your stay or switch to another visa type while in the UK
• You must leave the UK before your visa or travel authorisation expires

We recommend applying for your visa or ETA well in advance, as processing times vary by country and can take more than six weeks.

All international students should also hold valid travel and health insurance for the duration of their stay.

For further details on eligibility, entry requirements, and travel preparation, please contact our Admissions and Recruitment Manager at admissions@leiths.com.

Student visa guidance

Leiths Education is a licensed sponsor under the UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) Student Route, allowing us to support international students studying full-time on the full Leiths Culinary Diploma. 

Although the Leiths Culinary Diploma lasts less than six months, it includes a work experience or work placement component that cannot be undertaken on a Visitor Visa or Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA). 

In order to complete the work placement component of the Leiths Culinary Diploma in the UK, students will require a student visa. However, we also allow students to join the full Culinary Diploma under Visitor or ETA permission, but the work placement component required to attain their Diploma must be undertaken in their home country, after the course has finished. 

As part of the visa application process, students will have a video call with our admissions department. 

Leiths Education will issue a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) once your offer has been confirmed and all academic and financial requirements have been met. This CAS is required to complete your student visa application. 

To apply for a student visa, you must:

• Have received a CAS from Leiths Education
• Meet the English language requirements for your course
• Demonstrate that you can support yourself financially during your studies
• Hold a valid passport and meet UK immigration eligibility criteria

While studying on a student visa:

• You must attend and actively engage with all scheduled classes and assessments
• You must keep your contact details up to date with Leiths Education
• You may complete your approved work experience or placement as part of the Diploma
• You cannot undertake any other paid or unpaid work outside your course
• Any changes to your study plans, such as deferral, withdrawal, or course changes, must be reported to us immediately

Leiths Education monitors attendance and engagement for all sponsored students in line with UKVI compliance requirements to ensure you remain in good standing with your visa conditions.

Our Admissions and Recruitment Team will guide you through every stage of the process, from eligibility checks to visa documentation and enrolment.

For further information, please contact our Admissions and Recruitment Manager at admissions@leiths.com.