New rules for General Student visas will go live from the end of March 2009. It will be categorised as Tier 4 under the new points-based system.
All schools need to satisfy two requirments to recruit non-EU students.
Accreditation. Students can only study at a school, college or university which has been accredited by one of these approved agencies:
| Content |
Current rules |
New rules after March 2009 |
| English language courses |
Minimum Level A2 |
Minimum "pre-intermediate" level |
| Non-English language courses |
Minimum Level 3 or equivalent, eg, GCSE, A-level, etc. |
At a level studied at British Schools after the age of 16. Eg, A-Level, NVQ, university, etc. (Therefore under new rules, GCSE students need to apply "Child Student" visa instead of "General Student" visa. |
| Courses include job-placements |
Low level courses can be mainly work based (e.g. General English with 8 months Hotel workplacement) |
Higher level course, (e.g BA sandwich course in Hospitality). Work placement time on maximum 50% of the course. |
| Money/Maintenance |
No fixed minimum amount as long as it is enough to support yourself |
Minumum: unpaid tuition fees plus √800/month living expenses cover the whole period of study |
| Application Process |
Not applicable |
Applicants need to give fingerprints and to obtain a Biometric identity card. |
| Application Process |
Not applicable |
Need to obtain Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) from your school which cost √10 |
| Attendance reporting |
It is not compulsory for schools to report students' attendance |
Schools must report to HOBA after students' unauthorised absence of two weeks |
| Changing Schools |
It is possible to change school without informing the Home Office |
Requires Acceptance for Studies (CAS) from your new school; you will need to inform the HOBA before you change |
Current student visa policy
