UK Student Visas
New UKBA Visa Rules are Good for UAD Students
Despite lots of worrying advance publicity, the UK Border Agency’s (UKBA) new visa rules will be good for genuine students who wish to study at the University of Abertay Dundee.
The changes will ensure that only properly regulated Highly Trusted Sponsors, such as the University of Abertay Dundee, will be able to sponsor international students.
Recent news reports had talked about massive reductions in the number of international students allowed to enter the UK. But the UKBA have confirmed that the reductions will “largely come from private FE colleges” and not universities such as Abertay.
Our agents and applicants will therefore be pleased to know that:
- There is no limit on the number of international students able to obtain visas to come to Abertay
- The University already meets the new accreditation requirements. We are audited by the QAA and have Highly Trusted Sponsor status.
- There are no changes to current part-time work rights for Abertay students during term time and vacations. Students studying at UAD will still be able to work part-time up to 20 hours per week.
- Postgraduate and government sponsored students will be able to bring their dependents with them and their dependents will be able to work.
- International students graduating from Abertay will be able to stay and work in the UK under Tier 2 (general) if they have a job offer and meet the general Tier 2 requirements. Students will have 4 months at the end of their course to move from student status to skilled work. The current limits on Tier 2 visas will not apply to these switchers, allowing students to work in the UK for up to 3 years.
- The overall English language requirement for entry to degrees at Abertay will remain the same, there is only a slight change to the individual component scores to ensure that students are able to meet UKBA criteria.
- Students will not be required to return home between different degree programmes to renew their visas.
