Immigration information for students requiring a visa to study in the UK
From 22 February 2010, important changes have taken effect to the visa regulations in the UK and there are certain rules that all international students must note. Whilst these mainly apply to students who are on Tier 4 visas, these rules affect ALL international students. In compliance with the University's requirements, the School is tracking attendance; we will use this to identify students who are not attending and, if necessary, report this information to the UK Border Agency (UKBA).
The University advises as follows:
Tier 4: Duties of the Student
Students must:
- Keep the University updated with their address and telephone details (students can update these on E:vision at any time, if moving to a new address or changing phone number)
- Make sure they attend lectures, seminars and tutorials, appointments with the supervisor, hand in coursework on time, and attend exams (these are 'expected interactions' with the University). For students going on placement, study abroad, field trip, or resubmitting the dissertation this requirement also applies
- Inform the appropriate School of Management programme office if there is an unavoidable reason for missing any of the 'expected interactions'
- Make good progress on the course; if an extension of the visa is needed in order to complete the course, the UKBA will only grant a visa to resit or retake any module or part of the course twice
- Do no more than 20 hours paid work per week during term time (we would recommend no more than 15 hours per week, so that paid work does not interfere with studies)
- Register with the Police if it is stated on the student visa that is needed
- Make sure they always have a valid student visa (if the visa needs to be extended to complete the studies, start the arrangements approximately 2 to 3 months before the expiry date of the visa)
Tier 4: Duties of the University
The University must:
- Keep a copy of the passport and visa
- Keep up to date information of the address and contact details
- Keep a copy of the qualifications which gave acceptance to the course
- Monitor attendance and progression
- Report to UKBA if a student who has been issued with a visa for our University, fails to enrol
- Report to UKBA, within 10 working days, if a student misses 10 'expected interactions' with the University
- Report to UKBA if a student changes to a shorter course at the University or the course ends early.
- Report to UKBA if the University becomes aware that a student is breaching any conditions of the visa (eg if doing paid work for more than 20 hours per week during term time)
- Report to UKBA if a student withdraws from their studies, or suspends their studies
The University is duty bound by the UKBA to carry out these reporting duties. There is further information on the following websites:
www.ukcisa.org.uk/student/info_sheets/immigration_uk.php
www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/studyingintheuk/quickguideforstudent/adultstudents/
www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/sitecontent/applicationforms/pbs/Tier4migrantguidance.pdf
The School of Management staff are not qualified to give advice about immigration matters. Current students with questions about the UKBA rules and regulations will be directed to the appropriate University advisors.