Tier 4 (Student) of the UK Points Based Immigration System
Tier 4 (Student) of the UK Points Based Immigration System
Tier 4 (Student) of the UK Points Based Immigration System
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<strong>Tier</strong> 4 (<strong>Student</strong>) <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>UK</strong> <strong>Points</strong> <strong>Based</strong><br />
<strong>Immigration</strong> <strong>System</strong><br />
International students - your responsibilities and <strong>the</strong><br />
university’s duties as a licensed sponsor<br />
Note that any reference to a visa in this leaflet includes<br />
reference to an entry clearance (visa granted<br />
overseas), a residence permit (visa granted in <strong>the</strong> <strong>UK</strong>)<br />
or a <strong>UK</strong> Identity Card issued by <strong>the</strong> <strong>UK</strong> Border Agency<br />
(<strong>UK</strong>BA), a British Embassy, High Commission or by<br />
any o<strong>the</strong>r authorised agency <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>UK</strong> Border Agency.<br />
This leaflet was produced in December 2009 by <strong>the</strong> <strong>Points</strong> <strong>Based</strong> <strong>Immigration</strong> and Reporting<br />
Office and reflects our understanding <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> University’s duties as a licensed sponsor and your<br />
responsibilities if you are granted a visa under <strong>Tier</strong> 4 <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Points</strong> <strong>Based</strong> <strong>System</strong>, at <strong>the</strong> time <strong>of</strong><br />
writing. However, as <strong>Tier</strong> 4 has been introduced gradually between March 2009 and February<br />
2010 by <strong>the</strong> <strong>UK</strong>BA, <strong>the</strong> policies and procedures are subject to change. You should always check<br />
that you have full up-to-date information before taking any action that will affect your status in <strong>the</strong><br />
<strong>UK</strong>.<br />
This leaflet is written for students enrolled or planning to enrol at <strong>the</strong> University <strong>of</strong> Westminster.<br />
1 Your responsibilities:<br />
1. At enrolment, you must present a valid passport with a valid visa to cover <strong>the</strong> course you<br />
intend to study.<br />
2. If you do not have <strong>the</strong> correct type <strong>of</strong> visa or your visa does not cover <strong>the</strong> whole course,<br />
you should seek immigration advice immediately from Counselling and Advice (CANDA) or<br />
contact <strong>the</strong> <strong>Points</strong> <strong>Based</strong> <strong>Immigration</strong> Officer. From February 2010, if your current visa was<br />
not issued with <strong>the</strong> University <strong>of</strong> Westminster as your sponsor, you will be unable to enrol at<br />
<strong>the</strong> university until you have obtained a Confirmation <strong>of</strong> Acceptance <strong>of</strong> Studies (CAS) and<br />
visa with <strong>the</strong> university named as your sponsor.<br />
3. Be aware <strong>of</strong>, understand and comply with <strong>the</strong> conditions <strong>of</strong> your visa. Generally <strong>the</strong><br />
conditions <strong>of</strong> your “student” visa are:<br />
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You must be studying full-time, part-time study is not allowed, although you are allowed to<br />
apply for a visa to re-sit exams or resubmit a dissertation or <strong>the</strong>sis<br />
You must not work more hours than allowed (see point 5 below)<br />
If you suspend or withdraw from your course, <strong>the</strong> <strong>UK</strong>BA expects you to return to your home<br />
country<br />
You must always ensure that you apply to extend your visa before your visa ends<br />
Please seek advice if you do not understand <strong>the</strong> conditions attached to your visa.<br />
4. Register promptly with <strong>the</strong> police if required to, and update your police registration if you<br />
change address, get a new passport or visa, change course or change place <strong>of</strong> study.<br />
5. Do not work more than <strong>the</strong> hours permitted by your visa, and comply with university<br />
regulations on hours <strong>of</strong> employment while studying. If you seek or obtain employment with<br />
<strong>the</strong> University, you must declare any o<strong>the</strong>r employment that you already have in <strong>the</strong> <strong>UK</strong><br />
and keep <strong>the</strong> University informed <strong>of</strong> any changes to that employment. If you have a<br />
“student visa”, you can work full-time only during <strong>the</strong> holidays. Holiday periods are different<br />
depending on <strong>the</strong> type/level <strong>of</strong> your studies (undergraduate, taught postgraduate and<br />
research). Find out how many hours you can work from<br />
http://www.ukcisa.org.uk/student/working_during.php<br />
6. Comply with <strong>the</strong> attendance monitoring systems that <strong>the</strong> University has in place and attend<br />
all timetabled classes, meetings with tutors and any o<strong>the</strong>r arranged sessions, unless you<br />
have good reason to be absent. You should check your @my.westminster.ac.uk regularly<br />
as <strong>the</strong>re will be important sent to you.<br />
Keep good attendance on your course. If you do not, this will be reported to <strong>the</strong> <strong>UK</strong>BA.<br />
7. Under <strong>Tier</strong> 4, an education institution is considered your “sponsor” to study in <strong>the</strong> <strong>UK</strong>. If you<br />
got a visa under <strong>Tier</strong> 4 to study at <strong>the</strong> University <strong>of</strong> Westminster, <strong>the</strong> University <strong>of</strong><br />
Westminster is thus your “sponsor”. If you change your mind and want to study at ano<strong>the</strong>r<br />
institution, you must notify <strong>the</strong> university and report any intention to change your sponsor<br />
(place <strong>of</strong> study) to <strong>UK</strong>BA promptly. You must email <strong>the</strong> <strong>UK</strong>BA at<br />
MigrantReporting@ukba.gsi.gov.uk to tell <strong>the</strong>m <strong>of</strong> your plans and ask <strong>the</strong>ir permission. You<br />
can ONLY start <strong>the</strong> new course once you get <strong>the</strong>ir permission.<br />
8. Report to <strong>the</strong> <strong>UK</strong>BA if your course <strong>of</strong> study at <strong>the</strong> University becomes shorter than was<br />
intended. Use <strong>the</strong> email address above to report.<br />
9. Report any change in your contact details to <strong>the</strong> school registry or update on SRS Web.<br />
10. Report any change in your contact details to <strong>the</strong> <strong>UK</strong>BA using <strong>the</strong> designated form at<br />
http://www.ukba.home<strong>of</strong>fice.gov.uk/studyingin<strong>the</strong>uk/adult-students/conditions-<strong>of</strong>-your-visain-uk/change-<strong>of</strong>-circumstances-form/<br />
11. Be aware <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> implications for your visa <strong>of</strong> stopping, changing or suspending your studies,<br />
being absent from <strong>the</strong> University without authority and not complying with any <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />
conditions <strong>of</strong> your visa.<br />
12. If you do not understand any <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> rules, seek help from CANDA or <strong>the</strong> <strong>Points</strong> <strong>Based</strong><br />
<strong>Immigration</strong> Officer. The advisers are <strong>the</strong> only staff members at <strong>the</strong> University qualified to<br />
give immigration advice to international students. If you break <strong>the</strong> rules because you do not<br />
understand <strong>the</strong>m, <strong>the</strong> <strong>UK</strong> Border Agency will not accept that excuse and it can have serious<br />
consequences for you.<br />
2. The University’s duties as a licensed sponsor:<br />
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The University has a licence to sponsor students, granted by <strong>the</strong> <strong>UK</strong>BA. This licence imposes<br />
duties upon <strong>the</strong> University. In order to comply with <strong>the</strong> conditions <strong>of</strong> its licence <strong>the</strong> University must:<br />
1. Keep a copy <strong>of</strong> your passport, visa and/or <strong>UK</strong> ID card. This is at enrolment. If you get a new<br />
passport, visa or ID card while you are at <strong>the</strong> University, you must go to <strong>the</strong> school registry so<br />
that <strong>the</strong>y can take a copy.<br />
2. Keep an up-to-date record <strong>of</strong> your contact details. This is done by <strong>Student</strong> Records.<br />
3. Report to <strong>the</strong> <strong>UK</strong>BA if:<br />
You fail to enrol on time<br />
You are absent from <strong>the</strong> university without permission for a prescribed period<br />
The University is no longer your licensed sponsor<br />
Your circumstances change, for example, if your course <strong>of</strong> study changes or becomes shorter<br />
or longer<br />
It has evidence that you are breaking <strong>the</strong> conditions <strong>of</strong> your visa<br />
<strong>Points</strong> <strong>Based</strong> <strong>Immigration</strong><br />
Central Admissions, Marylebone Campus, University <strong>of</strong> Westminster<br />
<strong>Tier</strong>4@westminster.ac.uk<br />
Tel: 0207 911 5000 Ext: 2498<br />
http://www.westminster.ac.uk/visas<br />
The University <strong>of</strong> Westminster makes every possible effort to ensure that <strong>the</strong> information it provides is upto-date<br />
and accurate, but accepts no legal liability for errors or omissions, and reserves <strong>the</strong> right to make<br />
changes without notice,<br />
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