Changing to a different educational institution
If you wish to change to a course at a different educational institution, you must either get permission from the UKBA or make a new immigration application before you can change. What you must do depends on when you applied for your current Tier 4 or student (pre- Tier 4) visa and the status of the new Tier 4 sponsor (educational institution).
If you made the application for your current Tier 4 visa on or after 5 October 2009
You must make a new visa application before starting your new course. You will need to prove that you have made the application by producing a copy of the acknowledgement letter from the UKBA when you register for the new course. If the new course is at an educational institution with Highly Tusted Sponsor (HTS) status, you are allowed to start the course before your application is decided. If the new course is at an educational institution with "A" or "B" status, you must not start until you have been granted a new visa by the UKBA. Kent is a Highly Trusted Sponsor.
If you applied for your current Tier 4 visa on or after 31 March 2009 but before 5 October 2009
You must get permission to change instituion from the UKBA. You must use the Tier 4 (PTS) form and pay a fee of £160. However, if you will need to extend your immigration leave to complete the new course, you should apply to extend your leave before starting the new course - you will not be expected to seek permission to switch as well.
If you applied for your current student visa before 31 March 2009, you have a pre- Tier 4 student visa and you need not inform the UKBA of the change, but they encourage you to do so. As you will need extra time to complete the course, you will need to apply for a Tier 4 visa using a CAS from your new Tier 4 sponsor
For full details on changing to a different university, please: