Leicester joins student visa pilot
A pilot which is looking at streamlining the process for international Master's students wanting to study in the UK has been extended to 23 universities including our University, the Immigration Minister announced today.
Currently in its second year with the Universities of Oxford, Cambridge, Bath and Imperial College London, the pilot will streamline the process for international students looking to study on a Master's course of 13 months or less in the UK. It also provides greater support for students who wish to switch to a work visa and take up a graduate role, by allowing them to remain in the UK for 6 months after they have finished their course.
Universities taking part are given responsibility for eligibility checks, meaning that students can submit fewer documents than required in the current process alongside their visa applications.
President and Vice-Chancellor Professor Paul Boyle said: “I am delighted that the University of Leicester has been invited to participate in this pilot which aims to simplify and improve processes for access to higher education in the UK for international students.
“Leicester has been selected to participate in the trial on the basis of having a consistently low visa refusal rate and we hope that, as a result of the trial, the best practice at Leicester becomes an exemplar in the sector.
“As a world-class UK university operating globally and with an international campus, it is vitally important that the experience we provide to international students from point of entry to graduation and beyond is excellent. I particularly welcome the plans within the pilot to support students who wish to switch into a work route and take up a graduate role by extending the leave period following the end of their study to six months.”