UK Immigration Rules deter Non-EU MBA Students

Today, Melissa McCrindle of Strathclyde Business School has spoken out about the current ‘tough’ UK Immigration Rules. Ms Mcrindle, a recruitment officer at the rising business school has stated that the new changes in UK Immigration Rules is one of the many reasons there has been a decline in non-EU MBA students. One of the recent changes is the closure of the Tier 1 Post Study Work (PSW) visa route in April 2013. 

50% of Students choose where to Study based on where they want to Work

In estimated 50% of MBA students base their choice of where to study on the location where they would like to work after completing their education. The removal of the Tier 1 PSW visa route in April 2013 has arguably shut the door on those that wish to work in the UK after obtaining a degree. Instead business schools in  the Asia Pacific region and in North America are becoming increasingly attractive to international students. As a result business schools in the UK are concerned that the lack of job opportunities for their international students will put off talented and bright students from even considering the UK as a choice of location to study.

Bradford University of School Management has seen a sharp decline in the number of non-EU MBA students going from 25 in 2013 to 9 in 2014. Jon Reast, the Dean at the university has stated:

“Many good quality business schools, including ourselves, have seen reducing full time MBA numbers in recent years.”

He further stated that Bradford along with other business Schools in the UK had a  few successful years before the removal of the Tier 1 PSW visa route. During this time MBA students were entitled to a visa to work for a further two years in the UK after completing their studies. According to the Graduate Management Admissions Council in 2014 there was a decrease  in the number of applications full-time one-year MBA programs it is likely that the closure  of Tier 1 PSW visa route was the reason for the decline.

Further Changes to Tier 4 of the Points Based System

The Tier 4 Student and Child categories under the points based system are for those international students who wish to come to the UK to study and experience life and culture in the UK. The following changes were proposed recently:

  • Tier 4 (General) Students applying for a visa or an extension of stay who want to undertake a course at a Higher Education Institution in a discipline set out in Appendix 6 of the Rules are required to hold a valid Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) certificate from the Counter-Proliferation Department of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. This is stated under Paragraphs 245ZV(da) and 245ZX(ea) of the Immigration Rules.
  • The Immigration Rules are being amended to clarify  that a new ATAS certificate must be obtained if the course content changes, the course end date is postponed significantly, or if the student wants to start a new course that requires ATAS clearance.

Successful UK Tier 4 Student Visa Applications & Appeals

Our team of experienced and professionally qualified immigration solicitors and barristers will be able to guide you through the process of making a student visa application step by step and limit the possibility of failure by complying with the strict letter of law.

We also undertake a great deal of appeal work before the Immigration and Asylum Tribunal and have a successful track record of successful results for our clients. We have the experience and the knowledge required to take your case forward successfully. If you have had a student visa refused, contact us to discuss your case so that we can provide you with a case assessment.

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