Education and Study Guides

French4u

noreply@blogger.com (Istihara) — Mon, 3 Sep 2012 04:49:00 -0700

French4u: French4u
French4u
French Class 100% Online Using The Natural Method That Children Use To Learn Their Own Language. Course Made By French ...

Can Dependants Travel While College Licence is Suspended?

noreply@blogger.com (Istihara) — Wed, 24 Aug 2011 08:54:00 -0700

Hi everybody,

I am student of London College of Law & Management. My college is suspended since feb-2011. Still they are fighting to get the college back to the register but not successful.

Can anybody help that Is it safe for my wife and my son to travel to pakistan for 2 months on urgent basis. while I will be still in the UK.

will they face any problem in immigration when they return. Because college licence is still suspended, not revoked.

Regards.

This post was submitted by Rizwan.

Why is my Visa Application so Heavily Delayed?

noreply@blogger.com (Istihara) — Mon, 22 Aug 2011 11:34:00 -0700

hi,
I am suresh Waghmare and i have applied for my student visa to uk on 23/05/20011 from delhi, India. Can u please tell me why this process is so delayed bcoz at the time of applying the visa they said it will take 1 month, but now its more than a month i am waiting. I have applied for a 12months course of PG diploma in Hospitality and tourism management from Redwick United college, London. Please I wil be really glad if you can give my any details for my case.

thank you

This post was submitted by Suresh.

Refund of Tuition Fees from LSA College

noreply@blogger.com (Istihara) — Mon, 22 Aug 2011 08:15:00 -0700

Hello there,

I am Roshan, and I paid ?3550.00 to LSA for wife’s admission. Now, she is unable to attend the course due to pregnancy. We emailed the college that stating the problem and asked for the refund. But they said they are unable to give refund unless we have a visa refusal. So, we are help less.

Is there any one who can help us to get the refund please?

Roshan

This post was submitted by Roshan.

Tier 4 Visa Refused, Bank Statement in Foreign Language

noreply@blogger.com (Istihara) — Sun, 21 Aug 2011 10:15:00 -0700

Hi dears,

I’ve just received my rejection for my visa, i was attempting to study as a tier 4 student, i have submitted all my papers and all the documents were official and up to request standard.

But my visa was refused because I’ve sent my bank statement in Arabic not in English.

Could anyone help me and advice what can i do now, do i have to get a new CAS statement or i can appeal?

Best regards,

This post was submitted by orwa.

Can dependent work full time after 1 july 2011 if admission is granted by University

noreply@blogger.com (Istihara) — Sun, 21 Aug 2011 08:25:00 -0700

I want to travel with my spouse to Uk but want to inquiry whether my spouse can work full time after 1st july 2011 as i have granted admission my University.

How will the abudhabi embassy process the University Applicants case? Cz they delay alot in processing the case….

Can i apply from Abudhabi on visit visa as i am pakistani

Regards,
Shagufta

This post was submitted by Shagufta.

FDM Group supports outstanding IT undergraduates

noreply@blogger.com (Istihara) — Sun, 21 Aug 2011 08:11:00 -0700

FDM Group is once again supporting emerging talent within the IT industry by sponsoring an award for the Best Development Project at the University of Brighton.

Since January 2011 the UK’s largest IT graduate employer, FDM Group, has been collaborating with the Sussex based University to offer a unique Master Class Programme to exceptional IT graduates.

The pioneering qualification incorporates all aspects of the highly successful FDM Academy Programme as well as a fully- funded MSc in Applied Computer Science.

But this commendable relationship between a top graduate employer and university did not begin here. FDM Group has been sponsoring the “FDM Prize” as part of the University of Brighton’s School of Computing, Engineering and Mathematics prize-giving ceremony since 2008.

The admirable initiative aims to reward the most promising students in the school with a variety of prizes ranging from cash to membership of organisations.

The value of the FDM prize, which is open to final year Computing Programme students, has been demonstrated by the impressive track record of previous winners.

The first student to receive the FDM sponsored award, Jeremy Carey, who joined the FDM Academy Programme, now works as an Investment Banker placed at UBS in the USA.

Previous winners have also stayed true to their academic roots and are working as developers within some of the world’s leading companies.

This year’s winner, Wayne Haffenden, has shown great potential and was highly praised by his course leader for the project that has led to him winning the FDM prize.

FDM’s CEO, Rod Flavell, said:, “FDM Group is extremely proud to be sponsoring this valuable award once again. As a University of Brighton graduate myself I strongly believe in the value of supporting such promising local talent and feel that the awards serve to assure these future graduates that they clearly have what it takes to reach their goals.”

The University of Brighton is equally thrilled with the ongoing relationship. Professor Miltos Petridis, head of the School of Computing, Engineering and Mathematics, said: “We are delighted to continue the university’s relationship with FDM Group through their continued support of this prize and the university’s validation of the Applied Computer Science MSc.”

The School of Computing, Engineering and Mathematics prize-giving ceremony takes place on 27 July 2011 at 10am in the lecture theatre of the University of Brighton’s new ?23 million Huxley Building.

For more information on FDM Group and FDM Academy please visit www.fdmgroup.com and www.fdmacademy.com

This post was submitted by sheira gorris.

Statement from BITE Regarding their Licence Suspension

noreply@blogger.com (Istihara) — Sun, 21 Aug 2011 07:58:00 -0700

Dear All,

I understand that many of you will be concerned regarding the recent situation with the UK Border Agency. I also understand that there are many rumours circulating about the effects of this situation. I want to assure you that our Chief Executive and his management team are doing all in their power to correct the situation.

On 12th July, the UK Border Agency temporarily suspended BITE from their list of sponsors while they investigated some alleged irregularities concerning the immigration status of some students at BITE. In the two most important cases, we have evidence to show that these allegations are unfounded. As a result, Dr Farmer has engaged the services of Quist Solicitors, who are experts in this field, and has started legal proceedings to re-instate BITE to the UKBA list. These proceedings are necessarily complex and will take some time to complete; however, we are confident that BITE will be back on the list within the next 2-3 weeks.

In the meantime, let me assure you once more that this temporary suspension does not affect your places at BITE. Your teaching will continue and your work will be assessed.

I believe that there have been rumours suggesting that, if the suspension lasted more than 60 days, BITE would be obliged to close down. Let me assure you that there is no such regulation. BITE will continue to operate as normal while this suspension is in operation.

Some of you will have applied for visa extensions. Those extensions will be held by the authorities while the suspension is in operation. For those of you who need to apply in the next few weeks, please contact the administration team for your particular course, who will be able to give you personalised assistance.

Professor Leslie Hobson OBE

Principal
British Institute of Technology and E-commerce

This post was submitted by sam.

Fee Refund Dispute with College

noreply@blogger.com (Istihara) — Sun, 21 Aug 2011 07:35:00 -0700

Dear Friends,

I ve got addmission for my Cousin from Kings and Katherine College London. I paid his Fee.
During the Addmission Process, I asked the Addmission advisor different times on Phone, that there will be no deduction from Fee apart from admin fee, in case of Refusal.
They never sent me any Paperwork, that would show me that There will be any deduction, Neither I got told by anyone.

My Cousin got the Visa Refusal.
I requested the Fee Refund. Now College is Offering me refund after deducting 3 Times of Admin Fee.

I want to go to Court, What do you advice me?????

Do you think, I should accept that amount, what they are offering to me?????

Thank you.

Syed.

This post was submitted by Syed.

Part 2: Economic Effects

noreply@blogger.com (Istihara) — Sun, 21 Aug 2011 07:13:00 -0700

Letter to Stephen Gilbert MP on Student Visas from LSE Students’ Union. Part 2 of 3: Economic Effects

2. Negative net economic effect

In a Martin Rosenbaum BBC article of 14 April, it is disclosed that the Treasury—alongside free-market think tank Adam Smith—is dour on the effects of immigration cuts on the economy. The Treasury’s “broad argument is that cutting immigration of skilled workers would reduce the UK economy’s potential for growth. It also states that migrants tend to make a positive contribution long-term to the UK’s fiscal position.”

Students currently contribute around ?8 billion to the UK economy. That figure does not include the economic gains from students on a Post-Study Work visa, for which estimates are difficult to come by but logic would dictate is somewhere in the hundreds of millions to low billions of pounds in stimulus, plus taxes. If no argument from Section 1 on the impact of this proposal passing seems compelling, let it be this: The UK will be perceived as anti-student migrant, and the result will be a weaker UK economy.

Despite a gloomy speech from the Prime Minister on 14 April, qualified students do not come for a ‘free ride’. (That erroneous metaphor came from Mr Cameron’s misinterpretation of an airline’s free-flight advertisement while touring a British educational fair in India.)

To the contrary, students compete globally for scholarships, university places, and jobs afterward. Many do get jobs immediately afterward, though certainly not often with the possibility for ?40,000 within a year. They pay high taxes and create new links for UK firms around the globe. This soft power helps grow the economy and direct investment to the United Kingdom, as opposed to other English-speaking nations.

A different way of looking at the problem comes from the academic world of economics. The UK, unlike most continental European counterparts, functions under liberal market capitalism. By closing off its internal market to migrants who not just shore up service sectors but also college students and graduates who fill professional roles (often quite low-paid), the UK is actively undermining its own neoliberal model. This is all to say nothing of the reality of ‘soft power’, from which Britain yields untold benefits as seeming accessible to ambitious, smart young people from across the world.

The negative publicity generated by the immigration debate is already affecting student recruitment. LSE has collected data showing that Indian and Chinese students—financiers, engineers, and workers Britain needs for economic success—are discouraging younger peers from applying because of the withdrawal of the Post-Study Work visa route. Students may go to Australia, Ireland, Canada, or the United States; or they may simply find a university elsewhere among rapidly improving local options.

Part 1: Making the UK Unattractive

Part 3: Politically Driven

FDM Group introduces review initiative to assessment days

noreply@blogger.com (Istihara) — Sun, 21 Aug 2011 06:59:00 -0700

In order to continuously improve its assessment process, FDM Group has introduced an anonymous feedback initiative to ensure it is providing graduates with the best possible experience right from the outset.

The UK’s largest IT graduate employer is committed to helping graduates break into the IT industry by providing a unique combination of industry centred training and real commercial experience.

Following a period of phenomenal international expansion, FDM is doubling its graduate intake to 1,000 in 2011.

However the “Best Technical Graduate Recruiter” of 2010 has already received a staggering 17,000 applications so far, therefore competition remains fierce.

To land a place on FDM’s competitive two-year graduate programme, candidates must shine throughout a day long assessment period which includes a logic, technical, soft skill and written test as well as other interviews and exercises.

To ensure that its recruitment process continues to meet the high standards of the company, FDM has introduced anonymous feedback forms to give attendees the opportunity to review FDM’s assessment days.

Since introducing the initiative to its London and Manchester Academies last month the company’s interview process has so far received an astounding response with 91% of the graduates who attended stating that their overall impression of FDM was “positive.”

When asked if they were still interested in joining FDM after the assessment, 98% of the attendees answered “yes”.

Business Support Manager Catherine Cheek said, “Interview processes may seem like an unlikely area for employers to evaluate. However the initiative and fantastic responses we have received so far just highlight how committed we are to providing graduates with the best possible service whether they decide to join FDM or not.”

To find out more about FDM Group please visit the website: www.fdmgroup.com

If you are interesting in joining the FDM Academy please visit: www.fdmacademy.com

This post was submitted by sheira gorris.

Type of loan letter

noreply@blogger.com (Istihara) — Sun, 21 Aug 2011 06:38:00 -0700

Hi,
I am going to apply for tier4 visa. I just want to know that what type loan letter should a bank issue which must meet ukba standards.

This post was submitted by Anshuman sahoo.

Not Profiteering Insists Bristol University

noreply@blogger.com (Istihara) — Sun, 21 Aug 2011 06:19:00 -0700

In a move that left students angry and concerned in equal measure, Bristol University has announced its intention to charge the maximum ?9,000 per year tutition fees.

The announcement to charge the maximum possible fees from 2012 came last Tuesday. The statement from Bristol University went on to explain that charging the maximum fee was the only way to subsitute money lost through the Coalition’s public spending cuts.

“Our calculations show that we would need to charge a fee in the region of ?8,000 a year just to make up for the cuts in the core teaching grant and capital allocations.

“Our student support package will add a further ?1,000 a year to this.

“Thus our decision to charge up to ?9,000 per year does not represent a sudden or substantial increase in our funding; it merely substitutes lost revenue from other sources,” the statement continued.

Bristol University students are understandably concerned what impact the fee rise will have. Whilst there is some provision for students who come from poor background – and UK Universities will hopefully be held to account offer access – the minimum income level for the full fees to be payable is remarkably modest at ?25,000 per year, total household income!

Whist it is true that any proposed increase in fees must be first approved by the Office for Fair Access it has already been found that nearly 50% of all UK Universities plan to charge the maximum fee for tuition, ?9,000 per year.

Bristol University Students’ Union President James Ashton-Bell said the changes were “unfair”; “Many students struggle to pay for rent, bills and food in the face of VAT and inflation increases,” said a Students’ Union statement.

“Many of these students [from modest income brackets] already arrive at university to find their loans and grants don’t even cover their rental costs.”

Suspended for Poor Attendance

noreply@blogger.com (Istihara) — Sun, 21 Aug 2011 05:56:00 -0700

hi
i m obaid.i was student of londonsam and they suspended me bcoz of non attendence.3 month ago.so i worried bcoz my extension will come at 31july,so my question is that can i take addmission in new college and can i apply for my extensin,i were arrived in 22jan 2010.so plz tell me can i.plz i will very greatful if u reply my post and also as soon as possible.plz sir

This post was submitted by obaid.

FDM Group takes part in City University Work Shadowing Scheme

noreply@blogger.com (Istihara) — Sun, 21 Aug 2011 05:39:00 -0700

The UK’s largest IT graduate employer, FDM Group, has collaborated with City University to offer students the chance to benefit from one-day work shadowing opportunities.

The programme is available to final, penultimate year and Masters students
and has been created to provide participants with a clearer picture of the industry or profession of their choice.

As the UK’s largest IT graduate employer, FDM is delighted to be taking part in this commendable scheme and is offering work-shadowing days in the departments of Project Management, Learning and Development and Java /.Net Development.

FDM’s Academy Events Manager Madeleine Field said, “The City University scheme is especially apt for us as students often don’t realise just how vital IT is to the business world and how the nature of IT roles has developed. IT Consultants are now required to work at the forefront of business, interacting with a variety of different people in a range of departments. Through this latest initiative we aim to promote the IT industry and encourage students to pursue a career in the field.”

Students who are lucky enough to benefit from the University scheme will also gain a better understanding of the career paths available to them and should be left with a more realistic picture of the job market.

This is another issue close to FDM’s heart and a key reason for its involvement in the work shadowing scheme.

FDM is committed to bridging the gap between academia and employment for graduates and is utilising this latest opportunity to alert students to the fact that IT graduate employers such as FDM can offer a route into the industry.

The company has already received fantastic feedback from participants. City University Student Omar Iqbal said, “I would like to thank FDM for allowing me to benefit from a work shadowing day in Project Management. I found the tour of the facility and the career related information the team shared to be extremely valuable. Being able to talk to members of the PMO stream gave me a great insight into how the academy functions and caters to the needs of the growing demand for skilled professionals in the industry. I will certainly be applying to the programme in the future.”

City University was also thrilled with FDM’s contribution to the scheme. The establishment’s Careers Director, Gary Argent, said, “We are delighted that FDM Group agreed to participate in City University’s inaugural work shadowing scheme in 2011. Our students really value the opportunity to get hands on experience of life in the commercial environment, and the chance to spend a day in FDM’s office will have helped them to make more informed choices about their future career aspirations. We look forward to continuing our relationship with FDM Group in the future.”

FDM hopes that this latest initiative will prove effective in encouraging students to consider a career in IT and will serve to enlighten them about the opportunities available within the industry.

For more information on the FDM Academy programme please visit the website: www.fdmacademy.com

This post was submitted by sheira gorris.

The Big Brother World of UK Education Providers

noreply@blogger.com (Istihara) — Sun, 21 Aug 2011 05:19:00 -0700

Since April 2009 education providers in the UK have had to appear on the UK Border Agency’s Register of Sponsors in order to sponsor international students. One of the new rules imposed on education providers was to turn them into surveillance arms of the UK Border Agency, and many students have finally cracked now Britain’s surveillance society has infected their overseas education.

Last month a protest was held by the group Students Not Suspects outside offices of Goldsmiths College, University of London. Students Not Suspects are now vocally resisting the increased surveillance of international students, carried out by University staff at the orders of the UK Border Agency. More than 30 people took part in the demonstration, comprising of both staff and students.

As part of the major reform of the UK’s student visa system that is set to continue until April 2012 (and probably onwards ad infinitum), education providers that wanted to recruit international students became responsible for these students. By pain of death, well to the extent that a sponsor’s licence would be withdrawn and they would only be able to recruit students from within the EU (and who pay considerably less in fees, even at private education providers).

Colleges and schools became responsible for maintaining attendance and reporting any students who dropped below a prescribed level, immediately to the UK Border Agency. How this policy has been implemented by many educational providers leaves much to be desired. For instance, one provider sent emails to all their international students to their college-provided email account, which most students did not use. Many therefore did not pick up the email – requesting they present themselves and their passport to the Admin Office – inadvertently endangering their visa, enrolment on the course and right to remain in the UK.

It is exactly this concern – of wrongly reporting a student as AWOL – that worries Des Freedman, secretary of the University and College Union (UCU is the largest trade union and professional association for academics, lecturers, trainers, researchers and academic-related staff working in further and higher education throughout the UK). He is an active supporter of the Students Not Suspects group and he highlights the problem with a fantastic example from Goldsmiths College, London. In the first instance, management had prepared a list of 200 students to report to the UK Border Agency for curtailment of leave to remain in the UK. Following pressure for revision from Students Not Suspects, that list has been reduced to just 20 names. To date, no names have been passed to the UK Border Agency at all; one can immediately see the problem as Des sums it up: “…even one name handed to the authorities in error was one name too many”.

However, education providers find themselves in a situation far more complicated than that. The UK Coalition’s efforts to date have been a knee-jerk reaction to abuse of the student visa system. The introduction of the Highly Trusted Sponsor licence was done to crack down on bogus colleges and bogus students. Government’s plans do not stop there however, and there will be a new licence typed launched, the Highly Trusted Sponsor Plus, which will be reserved for the most UK Border Agency compliant education providers in the country. Sponsors are fearful that having such a licence will become increasingly necessary to recruit international students. And being UK Border Agency compliant means handing over lists of names.

The Students Not Suspects campaign has also been vocal in expressing the value of international students, to both domestic students and the wider UK as a whole. International students facilitate huge capital flows that reach right down to the local economy and provide a culturally diverse environment for domestic students to study in.

It seems that up-take for the campaign has been slow, but progress has been made. The concept was born at Goldsmiths College and has now linked up with like minded students at the London School of Economics. Here’s all the best to them in their mission to bring awareness to the outsourcing of UK Border Agency functions to the sponsors themselves.

Royal Holloway and Study Group enter an agreement

noreply@blogger.com (Istihara) — Sun, 21 Aug 2011 04:58:00 -0700

Study Group, a leading specialist educator of international students, and Royal Holloway, University of London today announce a new agreement to provide enhanced study opportunities to international students.

From September 2011, Study Group will run a Foundation Programme for international students on the Royal Holloway campus, in Egham, Surrey. The Foundation Programme has been developed by Royal Holloway and is especially designed to prepare students for undergraduate degrees at Royal Holloway.

The programme has been developed by Royal Holloway teaching staff with expertise in both English for Academic Purposes and university pathway provision, working in collaboration with Royal Holloway’s academic departments.

The Foundation Programme will equip international students who do not fulfil entry criteria for direct entry with the knowledge and skills they need to succeed on Royal Holloway’s undergraduate degrees. Participants will be acclimatised to the UK’s education system and become familiar with the academic and social environment of a UK university.

James Pitman, Study Group Managing Director, HE, UK and Europe, comments: “Royal Holloway is hugely popular with international students thanks to its long history, reputation for academic excellence and beautiful campus. We look forward to helping many of the brightest and best students from all over the world progress through our preparation courses into their chosen Royal Holloway degree programmes and future success.”

Royal Holloway’s Principal, Professor Paul Layzell, says: “Royal Holloway has always warmly welcomed international students, and recognises the importance of providing support and university preparation to prospective students, particularly those arriving from countries that do not have the standard 13-year education system widely seen across Europe.

“Study Group is a specialist international education provider and we are confident that their team will uphold our values of teaching excellence, to maintain our standing as a top-100 world ranked university.”

One third of Royal Holloway’s 8,000 students come from over 100 different countries to experience the benefits of studying at a world-leading, research-intensive university. Both parties look forward to working together to ensure that this agreement enhances the culturally diverse and vibrant learning environment already in place at Royal Holloway.

-ENDS-

For further information or interview opportunities, please contact:

Royal Holloway:

Sophia Haque, Press and Communications Officer: 01784 443552

Study Group:

TopLine Communications
studygroup@toplinecomms.com
+44 (0)207 580 6502

This post was submitted by Study Group.

New Rules for Student Visa Extension 2011

noreply@blogger.com (Istihara) — Sun, 21 Aug 2011 04:36:00 -0700

From 21 April 2011 there have been many changes to Tier 4 of the UK’s Points Based System. These changes do not just apply to out-country applications but also to people applying for a student visa renewal. We’ve put together this quick overview of the new student visa extension requirements following a lot of questions and searches from you.

New Student Visa Extension Rules for Students of Highly Trusted Sponsors

Courses at NQF level 3 or aboveEnglish language courses at level CEFR B2Courses with work placements that form an assessed part of the course

New Student Visa Extension Rules for Students of A or B Rated Sponsors

Courses at NQF level 4 or aboveEnglish language courses at level CEFR B2No courses with work placements that form an assessed part of the course below NQF level 6

New Rules for Student Visa Extension: English Language Ability How your sponsor assesses your English language ability will now depend on:When your CAS was assignedWhat type of course you are studyingWhat type of education provider your sponsor isAt any time during your application, whether in-country or out-country, you may be called for interview to check your English ability. If your English level is clearly not up to standard, your application may be refused and/or you could be refused entry to the UK at the airport.

Student Visa Renewal: If your CAS was issued before 21 April 2011

The old rules apply for your CAS to be valid. That is, if you are studying a course below NQF level 6, or an English language programme, your CAS will be valid as long as your sponsor assessed your English language level to be CEFR B1.Those students who did not take English test, but instead had their English level assessed by their sponsor will still be able to make an application with a CAS assigned before 21 April 2011.

Student Visa Renewal: If your CAS was issued on or after 21 April 2011

Have English at level CEFR B2 if studying a course at NQF level 6 and aboveHave English at level CEFR B1 if studying a course at NQF level 5 or below

Student Visa Extensions with a Recognised Higher Education Institution

If studying a course at NQF level 6 or above at a Recognised Higher Education Institution:Your sponsor can choose how to assess your English ability, including administering their own tests. Students will have to be assessed in the four skills: reading, writing, speaking and listening.With the approval of the Academic Registrar of the education provider, “gifted students” can have the English level requirement waived entirely.

Student Visa Extensions with a non-Recognised Higher Education Institution

Students studying courses at NQF level 6 or above must demonstrate their English level in all four English skills at level CEFR B2 by presenting a Secure English Language Test certificate.Students studying courses at NQF level 5 or below must demonstrate their English level in all four English skills at level CEFR B1 by presenting a Secure English Language Test certificate.

Visa Refused, What to do now?

noreply@blogger.com (Istihara) — Sun, 21 Aug 2011 04:15:00 -0700

i have a client in UK, he is on Tier 4 visa. His visa was rejected due to bank statement which was more than 1 month. Student is currently studying with a HTS. Bank statement was printed before, but application was not send to HO as other documents eg CAS was pending with college. Now this student visa has been rejected and has no right to appeal. Can you advise me if he will be able to appeal to an independent immigration judge? or shd he go back to his home country and re apply for a fresh application. and what about the current course that he is doing right now? How will he be able to leave his studies? Thank you.

This post was submitted by student.

Banned from UK can I go to Europe

noreply@blogger.com (Istihara) — Sun, 21 Aug 2011 03:50:00 -0700

hi guys , this is suhaaz from bangalore i have been refused visa from uk and also banned from entering uk untill 2020 for deception , now i have been admitted from french b school for a pg course for september 2011 intake and i have all genuine documents for getting me a french visa .. whether i ll get a french visa depends on my documents or the fact that i ve been barred from uk .. one more question , in the refusal they have mentioned that i wont be able to enter only uk . not the european union countries . i need advice guys thank you

This post was submitted by suhas.

Enquiry regarding English Proficieny Test

noreply@blogger.com (Istihara) — Sun, 21 Aug 2011 03:35:00 -0700

I am Anuj Kumar and I am an MBA student at Ethames Graduate School, London. My visa is expiring on 31st May 2011. I have a few doubts about the new rules which came in to application from 21st April 2011. My programme is NQF 7 programme. I have completed all the papers and got the results as PASS from the accredited University. Currently I am working on my Dissertation which I am supposed to submit on 31st May’11.

My first and the foremost concern is the English Language Proficiency Test. Do students need to sit for IELTS or PTE if they are applying for the student extension after 21st April 2011?. I have my CAS issued on 18th April 2011. On my CAS , college has mentioned the evidence of English at B1 Level. My college is rated as A sponsor.

I am concerned about this because, my college is saying that I need to take the English Proficiency test,however, I called up UK Council for International Student Affairs and they informed me that If my CAS is issued before 21st April 2011 then I need not to sit for English Proficiency Test even if I am applying for student extension after 21st April 2011. I need the clarification on that whether students need to sit for English test in case they have CAS issued before 21st April’2011?.

UKCISA people were not able to give me anything in black and white to show it to my college. I am very much baffled because of two different pieces of information.

I request you to kindly assist me in getting the answer of this baffling query, I would be really grateful to you as I really want to concentrate on the dissertation right now to keep on my great academic performance at college and University level.

Thanks and Regards
Anuj.

This post was submitted by Anuj.

New Student Visa Rules for the Future

noreply@blogger.com (Istihara) — Sun, 21 Aug 2011 03:16:00 -0700

Following our summary of the new student visa rules in place from 21 April 2011, we’ve had requests for a similar simple approach to the future Tier 4 student visa rules changes. So here it is!

July 2011 Onwards

Your Family (Dependants)

There will be only two types of student who will be able to bring their dependants to the UK during their studies: postgraduates and government sponsored students. Students must be studying a course of 12 months or more in duration.

Students should be sure to check with their education provider what duration of course has been entered on their CAS. Some Masters courses in the UK can be as short as nine months, so be sure to check if you want to bring your dependants with you.

If you qualify to bring your dependants with you during your studies, they will be able to work full time during their stay.

If you do not meet the requirements to bring your dependants all is not lost. You could consider having them come to the UK as visitors. But, there stay would be limited to just six months and they would not be able to work. They could of course come using any other route of the Points Based System, should they qualify.

Low Risk Students

Students from the following countries should not need to submit any financial documents or previous qualification certificates in support of their student visa application:

ArgentinaAustraliaBritish National OverseasBruneiCanadaChileCroatiaHong KongJapanMexicoNew ZealandSingaporeSouth KoreaTrinidad and TobagoUnited States of America

Do remember though that it is a requirement to have access to the required maintenance money and that students from the above countries could still be asked to produce proof. Any documents that you could be asked to submit must meet the criteria laid out in the Tier 4 Policy Guidance documents.

Time Limit on Staying in the UK

Students will have new limits placed on the amount of time that can spent in the UK on back-to-back student visa.

The good news is that students of specialist courses that take longer to complete – Dphil, medicine, architecture etc – will be excluded from the limits.

Students studying at either postgraduate or undergraduate level will only be able to spend a maximum of five years in the UK.

Students following courses below undergraduate level will be able to stay for only three years.

There is concession made for students who will study a combined course of below and above undergraduate level study. These students will be able to remain in the UK for a maximum of eight years.

If students are following one of the exempt courses above, they are eligible to stay beyond the eight years if their course demands it, however, students will not be able to apply for a new Tier 4 visa if they have already been in the UK for more than eight years.

Academic Progression

Any student who is extending their student visa in the UK and will not be studying a new course at a higher level, their education provider will have to explain the situation in their CAS. A common example of this would be a student studying two consecutive Masters Programmes.

Students are advised to liaise with their education providers and/or agents to make sure the wording in the CAS properly explains the situation.

April 2012 Onwards

Closure of Post-Study Work Route

The current Tier 1 Post Study Work visa, allowing graduates to remain in the UK for two years following their studies to look for work, will be closed.

Post-Study Work will be replaced by a new class in Tier 2 of the UK’s Points Based System: the Work Permission Route. Graduates will now require a job offer from a UKBA registered sponsor with a minimum salary of ?20,000 in order to remain in the UK following their studies.

Students must apply to switch to Tier 2 before their current Tier 4 General Student visa expires. Importantly, these Tier 2 applications will not come under the Coalition Government’s immigration cap, in any way.

Williams college suspended by ukba

noreply@blogger.com (Istihara) — Sun, 21 Aug 2011 02:59:00 -0700

Hi all..I’ve heard that Williams college has been suspended by ukba last Monday …my many of my friends has applied for the extension visa to start a new course in this college and still waitin for their passports to be returned…

Friends do u knw the reason for the suspension …and when will b back in to list again ..plz let me knw if u knw ..thnx ..

This post was submitted by Mark.

Want to Change Course Neither Agent Nor College Will Help

noreply@blogger.com (Istihara) — Sun, 21 Aug 2011 02:44:00 -0700

I am a student from india, wanted to do a course in hospitality management in uk, my agent in india (Destination Abroad)got my admission in citec college london, first they got an offer letter for hospitality management in september, could not go due to financial reasons. so in october they got another offer letter as the September intake was over, this time the offer letter the got was for a different course. it was for strategic management and leadership. when i asked them why had they got this letter they never informed me that citec college no longer offer hospitality management, they informed that it was for the visa, once i reach the college i can change the course, i even checked website the of citec college, till march 2011 they were offering hospitality management(it was mentioned on the website) but once i reached the college for registration the people gave me a form to change the course. Then they told me to go to the marketing dept and change the course, when i met people at the marketing dept they said that they no longer offer the course, when i called my agent in india, they were not ready to help me and said that they wont support me, when i asked for the refund they said that the cant do anything about it. Now the course in no use for me. i dont know what to do have invested so much money have also taken a loan for hospitality management, but now the college and my agent are telling me to do strategic management and leadership, i don know what to do now. the college is not ready to refund my fees. please help me what should i do as on the cas letter in mentions strategic management and leadership. what can be done now, as the course is no use for me.

This post was submitted by abc.

deferred student who granted visa can travel on same visa?

noreply@blogger.com (Istihara) — Sun, 21 Aug 2011 02:20:00 -0700

I will be grateful if you will reply me soon. As i am really worried i am granted visa for february session 2011for postgraduate study but i got my visa bit late and my university who is highly trusted in uk deferred me to september session 2011 , now plz can you tell me that can i travel on same visa four weeks before my next session start.my visa is still valid until november2011 and my course will finish in september2011 and later i can apply for extension from uk..plz reply..
Thank you !

This post was submitted by aminah.