Chapter 12 - Part 3 - Entry for studies : Advice for students going for certain types of study

1 September Student Rules Changes: Flowcharts
1 September Student Rules Changes: Q & A

12.29 - Advice on students going for certain types of study
Information on dealing with applications relating to agricultural students, the American Institute of Foreign Studies, Articled Clerks, BUNAC students, children with learning difficulties and disabilities, CSP Sponsored Pupillage scheme, law students, music students, nautical students, the Pestalozzi Trust, riding schools, St George's University School of Medicine and Welbeck College is given in Annex 12.6 .

12.30 - Students travelling on stateless or refugee documents
It should be made clear to students travelling on refugee or stateless persons documents that they will be allowed to remain in the United Kingdom only as long as they have adequate return facilities to their country of normal residence. The fact that they may have completed a course in the UK or, where appropriate, that their course will not have finished by the time their right of re-entry to another country is due to expire, will not give them any claim to be allowed to stay.

12.31 - Higher degree students at private colleges or research institutes
These students study outside the university system but their studies are validated by a university. Although these students do not technically meet the requirements of the Rules since they are not enrolled at a publicly funded institution of higher education, enquiries need not be made, provided that the student can provide evidence of funds and a letter from the educational institution concerned confirming registration for a higher degree. See Paragraph 12.10

12.32 - Visiting postgraduate students enrolled on degree courses overseas [Updated]
From 30 November 2007, postgraduate students who are enrolled on degree courses overseas are able to come to the UK to attend a publicly funded institution of higher education, e.g. a UK university, for a period of study and/or research in excess of 6 months as long as the period of study and/or research counts towards their overseas qualification. (See Paragraph 12.8 and the ATAS requirement in Paragraph 12.11).

12.33 - Junior Research Fellows
Some universities offer open competitions for Junior Research Fellows, which are aimed at enabling scholars of outstanding promise to continue research or studies often leading to higher degrees. It is essentially a form of funding for gifted students rather than a form of employment and holders of Junior Research Fellowships may be treated as students.

12.34 - Postgraduate students working as researchers in the UK
All other postgraduate researchers (other than those studying for a United Kingdom qualification or those described in Paragraph 12.32) who seek to enter to work as a researcher at a United Kingdom university or similar institution, or at another type of research institution (e.g. a charitable organisation or non-commercial research organisation; or a national research council (such as the Medical Research Council) will require work permits. For guidance on Sponsored Researchers see Chapter 10.11.

Some third country nationals entering for research work at research institutions in the United Kingdom have their research funded by academic awards, but they still need to obtain work permits for their work in the United Kingdom. This applies even where the research will lead to award of a higher degree. Work Permits (UK) (www.workingintheuk.gov.uk; work permit advice line: 0870 606 7766) can provide advice on work permit requirements in these cases.

In operating the work permit arrangements, Work Permits (UK) aim to ensure that the right balance is struck between safeguarding the interests of the resident work force and enabling UK employers to recruit of transfer skilled people from abroad in order to enable them to compete effectively in an international market. To ensure that the interests of the resident labour force are protected, employers are normally required to demonstrate that they have sought to recruit from the resident labour market. In respect of researchers, however, an employer will not normally be required to advertise the research post, as it is likely that the post would not exist if the specific researcher were not coming to the United Kingdom.

See also:
Chapter 12 Part 1
Chapter 12 Part 2