How to apply for a UK university CAS without paying a deposit upfront

If you're planning to study in the UK, you'll come across a term you can't avoid: CAS, or Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies. Without a CAS, you can't apply for your UK student visa—and without a visa, you can’t start your studies in the UK. 

But here’s the tricky part: getting your CAS isn’t just a formality. Universities have specific conditions you must meet before they issue this all-important document, and one of the most common hurdles is the tuition deposit.

Most universities ask for a deposit of at least £3,000, with some requiring up to 50% of your tuition fees upfront. For many international students, that’s a significant financial burden, and often blocks them from moving forward with their dreams.

Here’s the good news: some UK universities now waive the CAS deposit requirement if you’ve secured a Loan Confirmation Letter (LCL) from trusted lenders like Prodigy Finance.

Let’s break it all down—and show you which universities you should look at if you want to skip that deposit.

What is a CAS?

The Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) is a unique reference number issued by a UK university once they’ve accepted you into a programme. It’s a digital document, not a paper one—that confirms:

You’ve received an unconditional offer

You’ve secured your spot at the university

You’ve fulfilled the university’s CAS issuance conditions (such as submitting academic transcripts, English language scores, and deposit payment)

Your details are entered into the UKVI (UK Visas and Immigration) system

Once you have your CAS, you can apply for your Student Route visa (formerly known as the Tier 4 Student Visa).

But again—you can't get a CAS unless you’ve met the university's requirements, like the tuition deposit.

The CAS deposit problem

For many international students, especially those from countries where exchange rates are less favourable, paying £3,000 or more upfront can be financially challenging. Even if you’re confident about getting a student loan, most lenders disburse funds only after visa approval, not before.

This creates a catch-22 scenario:

• You need a CAS to get your visa

• You need to pay a deposit to get your CAS

• But your loan won’t disburse until you get your visa

• So, how do you break this cycle?

Introducing Prodigy Finance’s LCL (Loan Confirmation Letter)

To help students overcome this challenge, lenders like Prodigy Finance offer a Loan Confirmation Letter (LCL)—an official document confirming that your loan has been approved, even if the funds haven’t been disbursed yet.

Many UK universities now recognise Prodigy Finance LCL as sufficient proof of funds. That means they’re willing to waive the tuition deposit and issue your CAS based on the LCL alone.

This means students can:

• Secure their visa faster

• Avoid upfront payments

• Focus on preparing for their studies, instead of scrambling for funds

UK universities that accept Prodigy Finance LCL instead of a CAS deposit

Here’s a list of universities that waive the deposit requirement if you present a valid LCL from Prodigy Finance:

1. Aston University

Known for business and engineering programmes, Aston has a strong focus on employability. They now accept the LCL to meet CAS issuance requirements, making the process much simpler.

2. Bangor University

Set in the scenic landscape of North Wales, Bangor offers high-quality education with lower living costs. With the LCL accepted in place of the deposit, it's a great choice for cost-conscious students.

3. Brunel University

Located in London and known for its placement programmes, Brunel is now even more accessible to international students with its LCL-friendly CAS process.

4. De Montfort University 

Situated in Leicester, DMU is a diverse and vibrant university with popular courses in computing, business, and arts. It’s in the final stages of confirming its deposit waiver policy—watch this space.

5. University of Aberdeen

One of the UK’s oldest universities, Aberdeen is consistently ranked for academic excellence. Now, it's also recognised for accessibility, thanks to its LCL policy.

6. University of East Anglia (UEA)

UEA is well-regarded in environmental science and creative writing. With the LCL, you can now secure your CAS without an upfront deposit.

7. University of Leeds

A member of the prestigious Russell Group, Leeds offers world-class education. It now joins the list of universities simplifying the CAS process with LCL acceptance.

8. University of Reading

Home to the globally respected Henley Business School, Reading is now more attractive than ever with its flexible LCL-backed CAS policy.

9. Kingston University

A rising star in design, business, and health sciences, Kingston now allows students to bypass the financial hurdle of the CAS deposit using a valid LCL.

Step-by-step process: How to apply for CAS with an LCL

Here’s how the process works if you're applying to one of the universities above:

1. Apply and receive an offer letter: Start by applying to your chosen university. Once you receive a conditional offer, meet the academic and language requirements to convert it to an unconditional offer.

2. Secure your student loan: Apply for an international student loan with Prodigy Finance. Once approved, you’ll receive a Loan Confirmation Letter (LCL).

3. Submit the LCL to the university: Instead of paying a deposit, send your LCL to the university’s admissions or finance team. Be sure to follow their specific upload or submission process.

4. The university verifies the LCL: The university will confirm the LCL’s validity with Prodigy Finance and, once verified, will issue your CAS—no deposit required.

5. Apply for your student visa: With your CAS in hand, you can now confidently apply for your UK student visa.

Final thoughts: Why this matters

Education is powerful, but accessing it shouldn’t depend on how much money you can pay upfront. By accepting the Loan Confirmation Letter in place of a deposit, these UK universities are removing one of the biggest barriers for international students.

If you’re planning to study in the UK and are worried about tuition deposits, now you know—there are options. Look for universities that support LCLs, and start your journey without the stress of upfront payments.

Want help finding the right school or securing your LCL?

We’re here to help. Whether you're applying to Aston, Leeds, or Greenwich—or just want to explore your options—our team is ready to guide you through your loan application, university shortlist, and CAS process.

Let’s make studying in the UK more accessible—one waived deposit at a time.