Letters to prove you are a student

A student status letter will show that you are a student at Goldsmiths, your approved programme of study and your start and expected end dates.

Printing your letter

Do this in My Goldsmiths, by going to the ‘My Letters’ tab.

Before printing, ensure that your address is correct. You can change it in the ‘My Details’ tab, using ‘Change your address’.

What a Student status letter is for

A student status letter can be used for many purposes, including accommodation, job applications and sponsorship.

It isn't suitable for the other reasons on this page.

For opening a student bank account, banks require that you provide evidence that you are a student.

A student bank letter will show that you are a student at Goldsmiths, your approved programme of study, your start and expected end dates.

Printing your letter

Do this in My Goldsmiths, by going to the ‘My Letters’ tab.

Before printing, ensure that your address is correct. You can change it in the ‘My Details’ tab, using ‘Change your address’.

Eligibility requirements

You need to be fully enrolled to receive this letter, and many banks will have additional eligibility requirements, such as requiring you to be on a course which is at least one year. Contact your chosen bank for more information.

Full-time students can use a council tax letter to prove to their local authority that they do not have to pay council tax and prevent them from being charged.

The letter specifies the minimum hours you study a week and also the duration of your course.

Printing your letter

Do this in My Goldsmiths, by going to the ‘My Letters’ tab.

Before printing, ensure that your address is correct. You can change it in the ‘My Details’ tab, using ‘Change your address’.

Visit your student hub if your local authority requires it stamped.

Council Tax discounts and exemptions

Full-time students do not have to pay council tax. To receive a council tax exemption or discount, you should be on a course that lasts at least 1 year and involves at least 21 hours of study per week.

If only students live in the property, you will not have to pay any council tax.

If non-students are living in the property, the household will have to pay some council tax.

If you are in your final year of study, you will be liable to pay council tax immediately after your course end date, excluding any late summer resits.

If you move address, you will need to provide another letter with your updated address.

See GOV.UK for more information.

A graduation letter proves that you are expected to attend your graduation ceremony. It can be used to help obtain permission for yourself, relative or friend to travel to the UK as a visitor.

How to request a letter

Once your graduation ceremony dates have been published online, and there is sufficient expectation that you will complete your course, you can request a letter by emailing your student hub.

Allow 3 working days for the letter to be issued.

A Schengen visa Letter is used by international students here on a visa, to prove that they are students and the university is permitting you to travel in the Schengen area.

Who needs one

Students who have international status and in some cases, students who have Indefinite Leave to Remain will need a Schengen VISA Letter to obtain VISA to travel in these 26 countries. There are Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland.

If your trip is out-of-term, it will take a minimum of 5 working days for the letter to be ready.

Please allow 3-5 working days for your letter to be processed. It is strongly advised that students do not book embassy appointments until they have received their letter.

Embassy meetings

You may need to arrange for a meeting at the relevant Embassy and show further evidence such as a passport.

You will need to request the letter from your student hub at least five working days’ before an appointment at the relevant embassy.

When booking an appointment at an Embassy, allow adequate time for the letter to be completed.

Request a Schengen visa letter 

Please complete this form.

In completing this form you are confirming that you have gained permission from your department to travel on your desired dates. Please note that as part of our checks will need you to upload written permission from your department.

Please also note that not all courses have reading weeks. Check if your course does before booking any travel.

More information

The Immigration Advisory Service has more information on Schengen visas.