Making your education count The new UK General Student Visa (T4)

1. Making your education countThe new UK General Student Visa (T4) Nicola Bowling Manager, UK Visa Services Malaysia and Singapore

2. Making your education countThe student visa journey The student visa journey • 1. How to apply • 2. Application assessment • 3. Advantages of UK student visa • 4. How to prepare

3. Simple Safe Fair NO Making your education count The student visa journey The application process YES

4. Making your education count2 Student Visa Categories • GENERAL STUDENT (Adult Student): • For post-16 education • CHILD STUDENT: For children between 4 and 17 years old. • 16 & 17 years old students who wish to study at NQF level 3 or above can apply as an adult or a child. • Those studying for an English language qualification at Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) level A2 or above MUST apply as adults. • All under 18s MUST have parent(s) or guardian’s written consent to the care arrangements for their travel to, reception and care in the UK.

5. Visa Application CentreSuite 19.0619th Floor,Wisma MCA,163 Jalan Ampang,50450 Kuala LumpurTel: (03) 21649323 www.vfs-uk-my.com Info.ukmy@vfshelpline.com 0800-1500hrs Monday-Friday Making your education countHow to apply UK Visa Application Centre

6. Making your education count The student visa journey

7. Making your education count The student visa journey The UK General Student visaA student needs 40 points to qualify for a UK General Student visa

8. Making your education count The student visa journey • The student will need a visa letter from his/her chosen place of study which confirms that the institution has accepted him/her to study, and contains details about the student and the course. • This letter is very important - it shows that the education provider: • Will act as the student’s immigration sponsor; • Is confident that the student is capable of doing the course; and • Will accept responsibility for the student while he/she is in the UK.

9. Making your education count Visa Letter

10. Making your education count Visa Letter

11. Making your education count Visa Letter

12. Making your education count The student visa journey ATAS: www.fco.gov.uk/atas • In common with other governments around the world, the British Government is working hard to stop the spread of knowledge and skills that could be used in the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction (WMD) and their means of delivery. • The ATAS is designed to ensure that people who are applying to study certain sensitive subjects in the UK do not have links to WMD programmes. • Students who need an ATAS certificate must obtain this BEFORE applying for their student visa. • An application will automatically be refused if an applicant needs an ATAS certificate and cannot provide one.

13. Making your education count Where can I study? Where can a student study? • The student must have been accepted to study at a licensed institution listed on the UKBA register of sponsors: www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk • The student must submit the ORIGINAL letter of acceptance when s/he applies. • The institution will be responsible for the student and will soon be required to report to the Immigration authorities students who do not attend. If a student wants to change institutions once s/he has a visa s/he will need to notify the UK Border Agency.

14. Making your education count What can I study? What can a student study? • A full-time UK degree level course or above at a Higher Education Institution (HEI); • An overseas higher education course which is recognised as equivalent to a UK higher education qualification; • A course of study below UK degree level but at a minimum of National Qualifications Framework (NQF) level 3 or equivalent, or on a course of English language study at Common European Framework of Reference for languages level A2. • [At least 15hrs/wk of organised, weekday, daytime (8am-6pm) study]; General Students on courses of study at a minimum of NQF level 3 as set out above are able to undertake course related work placements that are no more than 50% of the full length of the course.

15. Making your education count The student visa journey • The student will earn 10 points if s/he passes the maintenance (funds) test and shows that s/he has sufficient funds to cover the course fees and living expenses. • The maintenance required will depend on the location of the institution and the length of course. • Proof of funds needs to be in: • Cash in an account in the students name (includes joint accounts); • A loan in the student’s name; or • Official financial or government sponsorship. Money must have been in the account for at least 28 days immediately before the application.

16. Length of course Place of study Maintenance (funds) needed 9 months or less In London Course fees + £800 for each month of the course Outside London Course fees + £600 for each month of the course More than 9 months In London First year of fees + £7,200 to cover living costs for 9 months in the UK Outside London First year of fees + £5,400 to cover living costs for 9 months in the UK Making your education count 10 Points: maintenance (funds) test London = Camden, City of London, Hackney, Islington, Kensington & Chelsea, Lambeth, Lewisham, Newham, Southwark, Tower Hamlets, Wandsworth & Westminster.

17. Making your education count Don’t get locked out • All the documents enclosed with the application must be original and genuine – photocopies are NOT acceptable. • If a student provides false or fraudulent documents with the student visa application, lies or withholds information, s/he will be refused and may be banned from making further applications for up to 10 years.

18. Making your education count The student visa journey Biometric data collection 1. The applicant places the four fingers of their right hand flat on the capture plate, and presses gently downwards. 2. The applicant places the four fingers of their left hand flat on the capture plate in the same way. 3. The applicant finally places both of their thumbs on the capture plate in the same way.

19. Making your education count The student visa journey The UK General Student visaA student needs 40 points to qualify for a UK General Student visa

20. Making your education count Student visa advantages UK student visa: advantages • Can work for up to 20hrs/week (full time in the holidays); • Can bring dependants if studying for over 12 months and able to support them; • Dependants can work; • Schemes for graduates to stay on and work for 2 years after their studies (Tier 1 PBS); • Opportunities to stay and work in the UK as a skilled migrant or by switching into Tier 2 employment.

21. DO Finances Find out financial needs at least 2 months before you apply and start to prepare your finances. Always use bank accounts rather than holding money as cash. Application Read the Guidance carefully and follow the document requirements exactly. Self-assess yourself online before applying Always declare any previous entry clearance refusals. Once in the UK Keep your money in a UK bank account in your name. DO NOT Application Allow an agent to send off an application unless you have seen and agreed everything on it. Using false statements or failing to declare a previous entry clearance refusal may lead to a 10 year ban. Fail to declare previous UK immigration history. Once in the UK Remain in the UK after the end date of your visa. Work more than 20 hours/week. Claim public funds when in the UK. Making your education count How to prepare How to prepare

22. Making your education count The student visa journey • Any questions? www.ukvisas.gov.uk www.vfs-uk-my.com