You will be asked for the same documents several times: by universities, for your visa, by your bank and again when you arrive. Getting clean scans of everything early saves weeks.
| Document | Used for | Tips |
|---|---|---|
| Passport | Applications, CAS, visa, travel | Check it is valid for your whole course. Renewing takes time, so do it first if it expires soon. |
| Academic transcripts | Applications, CAS | Get official copies with the institution’s stamp, plus certified English translations if needed. |
| Degree or school certificates | Conditional offers, CAS | Provisional certificates are often accepted until the final one is issued. |
| English test result | Applications, CAS, visa | Check the test is accepted for your visa route, not only by the university. |
| CV | Postgraduate applications | Keep it to two pages, with dates and responsibilities. |
| Personal statement / SOP | Applications | Write a specific version for each course. |
| References | Applications | Give referees at least three weeks and a short note about the course. |
| Bank statements | Visa | Must show the right amount for the right period, in your or your parent’s name. |
| Sponsor or scholarship letter | Visa, if funded | Must be on official letterhead with the amount and dates. |
| Offer letter and CAS | Visa, arrival | Check every detail on your CAS — name, dates, fees paid — before you apply for your visa. |
| TB test certificate | UK visa, if required | Only from a clinic approved by the Home Office. |
How to keep them ready
- Scan in colour at a readable resolution. Photos taken in daylight on a flat surface work if you don’t have a scanner.
- Name files clearly: “Passport – 2031 expiry.pdf” is easier to find than “IMG_2041.jpg”.
- Keep the originals together in one folder you take with you.
- Note expiry dates. Passports, English tests and bank statements all have one, and visa decisions can be refused for out-of-date ones.
RightUni’s vault keeps these files encrypted on your device before upload, shows expiry badges, and links each document to the applications and steps that need it — so you can see what’s still missing for each one.
