UK extends study visa pilot to 23 more Higher Education Institutes

The UK Home Office has extended a pilot scheme for streamlining the visa application process of international postgraduate students. Extended to 23 universities across the United Kingdom (UK), the scheme has been launched only after a successful first stage at four universities.
Brandon Lewis, the immigration minister was quoted, "This is a clear indication that genuine students are welcome and there is no limit on the number who can come to study in the UK". According to him, the scheme is expected to be rolled out soon extensively to those universities that can demonstrate high levels of compliance with the visa regulations.
Here's what you can expect from the pilot scheme:
- The process will aim to make Tier 4 visa applications more upfront and hassle-free
- As part of the process, prospective Master’s students will have to submit fewer documents
- The scheme will include the provision of greater support for students wishing to pursue post-study work in the UK. This means that students will be offered assistance in switching visa type
- Students will also be allowed to stay back for a period of six months after graduation and look for jobs
The 23 universities to be added to the pilot scheme are:
- Cardiff University
- Goldsmiths University of London
- Harper Adams University
- Newcastle University
- Queen’s University Belfast
- The Royal Central School of Speech and Drama
- University of Bristol
- Durham University
- University of East Anglia
- University of Edinburgh
- University of Essex
- University of Exeter
- University of Glasgow
- University of Leicester
- University of Liverpool
- University of Manchester
- University of Nottingham
- University of Reading
- University of Sheffield
- University of Southampton
- University of Wales Trinity St. David (Swansea Campus)
- University of Warwick
- University of York
The pilot for these 23 universities will be enabled in the 2018-19 session. According to reports, the reason behind choosing the above universities is their low visa refusal rates in their area or region.
Since 2016, only four Universities - the University of Oxford, University of Cambridge, University of Bath and Imperial College London have been able to offer this pilot process to students.
Commonly asked questions
The application process at the University of Manchester can change depending on course chosen and level of study. The steps to apply for undergraduate and postgraduate courses at the university are given as follows:
UG Application Process:
- Student must apply through the UCAS common application portal.
- They can go to the website and select the course that they are interested in.
- Students are required to meet the eligibility requirements (Academic qualifications, English proficiency, etc.
- Once they have decided on the course, the important documents are to be submitted such as SOP, Transcripts and personal statements.
- You can track the application's progress through your given credentials by UCAS.
- Once the applicant submits the application to UCAS, it forwards to the University, and the admission teams carefully analyse the application document.
- The university will send you an offer letter once selected. Hence keep checking your UCAS portal for your application status.
Check out: tips to improve your SOP.
PG application process:
- Select the postgraduate course you are interested in from the University of Manchester.\
- Ensure you meet the entry requirements for the chosen program, as they vary depending on the course.
- Complete the online application by providing your personal information.
- Upload the required documents, such as Academic transcripts and proof of English language proficiency ( TOEFL/ IELTS). experience in your fields and references (depending on the course). You also may require Two LORs depending on the course.
- If your application is successful, you will receive an offer from the University of Manchester.
To make your admission better, check out the following: How Admission Officers Evaluate your application.
The University of the West of Scotland has five modern and diverse campuses in United Kingdom. The University has welcomed more than 3,000 international students which are representing 1/3 of the globe. They also have 130 European partners who are actively in global study and exchange options through the Commonwealth universities programmes. The University also offers study abroad opportunities for UWS who are eligible for the same and also have more than 20 transnational education partners worldwide which helps them deliver UWS Bachelors and Masters Degrees around the world.
International students whose first language is not English must meet the English language requirements. Students can submit their IELTS/TOEFL/PTE test score to meet the English language proficiency. Bedfordshire accepts overall IELTS score of 6.0 with minimum 5.5 in each element.
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