Study Abroad :- General Information for Foreign Students

  • General Information for Foreign Students
Recently, the UK government has announced a new Point Based System to simplify existing immigration rules for international students and crack down on bogus colleges. Educational institutes must now be equipped with a license from the UK Border Agency (UKBA) stating that they can sponsor foreign students to come to the UK. As per the new guidelines, universities and colleges have to take responsibility for their foreign students and report abuses, failing which their license will be cancelled. Thus, educational institutes can now be banned from recruiting overseas students if they deviate from the rules as per the new Points Based System. Educational institutes must now:

Alert the UKBA in case any qualified students fail to enroll in spite of being accepted in the institute

Report to the UK Border Agency (UKBA) in case any student stops their studies

Inform UKBA about unauthorized absences

Maintain updated contact details of international students

Maintain copies of foreign students' passports

  • Student Tier information

The new Point Based System has designated the entry of students through two visa routes:

  • General Student

All international students planning to come to UK for their post-16 education (class X)

will fall under this category

  • Child Student

All international students from 4-16 years of age who will receive their education in the UK independent schools fall under this category

  • Student Visa Information

If you want to get your visa processed without any unnecessary delay, make sure that you follow the given instruction and make your study plan accordingly.

To be eligible to apply for a UK student visa, students must now:
Be sponsored by a licensed education institution (Confirmation of Acceptance of Studies - CAS)
Obtain an identity card in advance from their sponsoring institute
Have a good academic track record
Demonstrate their ability to financially support themselves and any dependants
apply for a course that leads to an approved level of qualification

  • Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS)

All prospective international students wishing to go to UK for further studies will require an immigration sponsor before applying for visa. This sponsorship has to come from the UKBA licensed educational provider in whose establishment the student is going to be admitted.

  • Role of Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS)



Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) plays a major role in your visa application because:

a) It is a confirmation from the educational provider about your capability of following a particular study program

b) It is also an assurance by the educational institute that it will be responsible for you during your entire period of stay in their establishment

c) The UKBA does not allow any international students to apply for visa without the CAS. This rule is in compliance with the new Point based System

However, do take note that CAS does not guarantee a visa.

  • Selection of educational institute and course:

As per the new Point Based System, the course that you apply for must fulfill at least one of the given criteria. Your study program should be:
A recognized full-time degree course
A course that includes minimum 15 hours of weekly organized daytime study
A full-time course conducted by an independent fee paying school
A study /research program longer than 6 months which forms part of an overseas degree course

As per the UKBA rules, the institute that you are applying to must be a:
A publicly funded institution (university/college) of higher education with maintained records of enrolment and attendance which are readily available to the UK Border Agency, or
A genuine private education institution, or
An independent fee-paying school

In addition to the above mentioned requirements, you should also be able to prove:
Your intention to join and complete a chosen course
Your intention to leave the United Kingdom after you complete your studies

Note: If you are interested in a study program of maximum six months duration, it is possible that you may qualify for entry under the new category of student visitor.

  • Financial Proof

International students will have to provide proof of their financial ability to sustain themselves and their dependants without relying on public funds or having to work during their study period. Details are given below:

  • Students on a course of less than 12 months
Tuition fee for the entire course
800 per month as living expense for the entire period of stay

  • Students on a course for more than 1 year
Enough funds to pay the first year tuition fee
9,600 to cover the one year living expense in UK

  • Students with dependants
Sufficient funds to cover their tuition fee
535 per month for each dependant for the entire period of stay

On the basis of your CAS and financial documentation proof, you will be allotted the following points:
Stages
Points Allotted

Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS)
30

Maintenance and Funds Test (General Students)
10


Custom regulation and entry rules for foreigners are subject to frequent changes. If you want to receive updated immigration and visa information, register with StudyPlaces.