---

 

Bonus 6 Months Tier 4 Visa for Masters Students at 23 UK Universities

 

International studnets enrolled in Masters Degree Program at 23 UK Universities are now permitted 6 months of further Tier 4 Visa.

 

UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) is now permitting an additional six months under Tier 4 visa for international Masters students wanting to get educated at nominated universities in the UK.

                                                                                                                                                          

The trial program that initially included only four UK universities has now been stretched to 23 universities throughout the UK. The program was primarily only available to international Masters students at the Universities of Oxford, Cambridge, Bath and Imperial College London.

 

The UKVI program aims to encourage international students in the UK by allocating them six months of extra time that they can use to take graduate positions or switch to other possible options.

 

The UK has always been the most admired destination for foreign students and the UKVI hopes this will keep UK as a lucrative destination for international students.

 

Revealing the extension of the pilot program, Immigration Minister Brandon Lewis said that the program will retain the world-leading UK universities competitive and open to learners around the world.

 

Quoting the data of 24% increase in International students coming to the UK since 2010, the immigration minister further said that the UK is always open to real, authentic students that want to arrive and study here.

 

Universities Involvement in the UKVI Pilot Program

 

The pilot program was limited to top four universities – Oxford, Cambridge, Bath and Imperial College of London. The program in its second year has been stretched to include 23 UK universities.

 

The universities were carefully chosen on the basis of lowest visa refusal rates in their area. Here’s a overall list of all the 23 universities that are integrated with the program.

 

1. University of Bristol
2. Durham University
3. University of East Anglia
4. University of Edinburgh
5. University of Essex
6. Cardiff University
7. University of Wales Trinity St. David (Swansea Campus)
8. University of Warwick
9. University of York
10. Goldsmiths University of London
11. The Royal Central School of Speech and Drama
12. University of Exeter
13. University of Glasgow
14. University of Leicester
15. University of Liverpool
16. University of Manchester
17. University of Nottingham
18. Harper Adams University
19. Newcastle University
20. Queen’s University Belfast
21. University of Reading
22. University of Sheffield
23. University of Southampton

 

The list contains 2 universities in Scotland, 2 Universities in Wales, 1 in Northern Ireland and additional top universities across England.

 

Added Obligations for Universities

The 2018/19 intake at the above-listed universities will be qualified to apply as part of the program.

 

Even though international students will still be needing to fulfil all the immigration rules, the universities have been given with additional responsibilities to simplify the process.

 

The universities can do eligibility assessments so that students will need to present fewer credentials as part of their visa application procedure.

 

Common FAQs on Student Visa Pilot

Here are some of the commonly asked questions concerning the UKVI’s student visa pilot scheme for foreign students.

 

Who can apply for the student visa pilot program?

International Masters students in the 2018-2019 academic year from the listed 23 universities can go for the program.

 

What does the pilot program consist?

The program modernizes the visa application process for international students and lets them to stay in the UK for added six months once they have completed their Masters course.

 

Does it apply to all Masters Programs?

Yes, the new rule applies to the international students commencing all masters courses. The Masters courses are mostly offered for one year in the UK and this rule applies to all students on a Masters course of 13 months or less.

 

Does it affect the visa processing time?

UKVI affirms that the visa application process will be simplified with additional obligations provided to the Universities. This means students applying for the Tier 4 visa under this scheme will have to submit lesser documents as part of their application process.

 

Need Assistance Applying for Tier 4 Visa with Pilot Scheme?

International students applying under this pilot scheme will still need to fulfil all the Tier 4 visa conditions.

 

If you need any assistance with your application process, feel free to contact your nearest reputable solicitor and book a consultation to discuss your case directly with them.