International students sponsored under the Student Route by St Mary’s University are required to live within a reasonable commuting distance of the University in order to support regular attendance, academic engagement and access to campus facilities.
For clarity and consistency, reasonable commuting distance is defined by reference to the suggested commuting radius centred on postcode TW1 4SX, as illustrated in the map below. The expectation is that regular travel to campus can normally be completed within a maximum of approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes using public transport. Clearly, the closer a student travels to the main campus, the easier it will be to arrive on time and minimise the risk of delays.
Students must ensure that their chosen accommodation enables them to meet all attendance, engagement and academic requirements. Travel times may vary depending on mode of transport, time of travel, service disruption and individual journey planning. Students are responsible for ensuring they are able to attend all required teaching sessions and engagement activities punctually.
Students must be able to provide evidence of their UK term-time address upon request. As part of face-to-face identity checks and completion of enrolment processes, students will be required to verify their address details. Authorisation of enrolment status is dependent upon provision of a valid UK address evidence and accommodation must fall within the expected commuting radius.
Temporary address details may be considered on a case-by-case basis; however, failure to provide confirmed permanent address details within 30 days of arrival may result in action under the University’s non-enrolment and withdrawal regulations and in accordance with UKVI sponsor duties.
Documentary evidence
Acceptable forms of evidence may include a tenancy agreement, utility bill, council tax statement, official correspondence from a bank or government department, or a formal accommodation contract issued by a recognised housing provider.
Where students are residing with family members or friends and do not have documents in their own name, alternative evidence may be accepted. This may include a signed letter from the host confirming the student is living at the address, accompanied by proof of the host’s address such as a recent utility bill or council tax statement.
Some international students may be entering the UK for the first time and may initially stay in temporary accommodation while securing longer-term housing. In such circumstances, students must provide the temporary address at enrolment and update their address details promptly once permanent accommodation has been secured.
Failure to maintain accurate and up-to-date address information throughout the duration of studies, or failure to meet reasonable attendance and engagement expectations linked to commuting arrangements, will be considered under the University’s non-enrolment and withdrawal regulations and in line with UKVI sponsor duties.
Commutable distance locations (Guidance only)
The following locations sit close to the outer edge of the illustrated commuting radius and generally fall within the maximum travel time expectation when using public transport:
- North: Luton
- East: Chelmsford
- South: Brighton
- West: Reading
These locations are provided for guidance only and do not remove the requirement to meet attendance and engagement expectations.
Check your address with Google Maps
St Mary’s University is legally obliged to report certain events to UKVI. These reporting duties are mandatory and form part of the University’s sponsorship responsibilities.