Yorkshire universities in pilot scheme to ease foreign study process
A PILOT scheme which aims to streamline the process of studying in the UK for international masters students has been extended by a further 23 universities including the Universities of Sheffield and York, the Immigration Minister has announced.
Currently in its second year, the pilot will streamline the process for international students looking to study on a masters 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 six 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. Applicants that do not meet immigration rules will be refused.
All students will continue to require Home Office security and identity checks.
Immigration Minister Brandon Lewis said: “I am delighted to announce the expansion of this pilot which is part of our ongoing activity to ensure that our worldleading institutions remain highly competitive. The UK continues to be the second-most popular destination for international students and the number coming to study at our universities has increased by 24 per cent since 2010.
“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.” The most recent Home Office statistics show that the number of students applying for visas increased by eight per cent over the past year.