In this section we deal with the following study and training categories :- Students come to the UK for differing levels of education. Some will arrive at a young age to undergo all their education from junior school to degree level, some will come to improve their English, or undertake other short vocational courses,while others may come only for their higher diploma or university education. The rules to follow differ slightly for each type of student.
Students undertaking full general school education
Young students wishing to undergo general school education in the UK must have an enrolment letter from a Privately funded school that is registered with the Education Department. The school must NOT be one that is maintained by the Government (State Schools) as free education is only available to those with a right to residence in the UK.
A Student Visa must be applied for at a British Embassy abroad unless you are already a school student with a student residence in the UK that needs to be extended, who previously did not need a Visa from a British Embassy and who had come to the UK for education before 30 September 2004. To extend your stay as a student of higher level studies on completion of your basic education, you must be able to show acceptance for a full time degree level course.
English Language and other one year / short courses
Shorter courses such as English Language, vocational courses below degree level such as Computer Studies, Business studies etc, and any other short courses can be approved provided that the College is registered with the Education Department. These courses can only be approved for a maximum period of two years, after which you must be able to gain acceptance for a full time degree level course in order to remain in the UK as a student.
University and College Students
Graduate Level students are encouraged to complete their higher education in the UK, and can apply in the UK if they are already holding a Student residence and are enrolled into a degree programme with a college recognised by the Department of Education. If entering the UK for study for the first time however, the full course details, and information about your ability to fund your study and stay in the UK should be provided at a Visa application at a British Embassy abroad.
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Doctors and Dentists for Post Graduate Training
The law changed on 3rd April 2006 for Postgraduate Doctors & Dentists. Only those who have completed at least two years (including the final year) of a UK degree course in medicine or dentistry, or who have successfully completed the PLAB test, may now apply for further stay in the UK for training. Applicants must hold a letter from the Postgraduate Dean confirming a full time placement on a recognised 2 year Foundation Programme, and must be able to support himself financially. If extension of stay has not been obtained in this category by a student who has already graduated from a UK medical / dental degree course, (or PLAB) and he has left the UK, he will need a Visa from a British Embassy abroad to return to the Post Graduate category. By the end of the Foundation Programme, which must be completed within 3 years maximum, he must have obtained further stay from the Home Office for either a clinical attachment / dental observer post, or a work permit for medical / dental employment, or approval under the Highly Skilled Migrant Programme (HSMP) or as an Innovator, or have established himself as a business person under the business investor rules. If he has no such further residence, then he must leave the UK.
Entry for PLAB Tests
Entry for PLAB Tests can be approved by the Immigration Officer on arrival unless, because of your nationality, you need a Visa to enter the UK, in which case you must declare your interest in taking a PLAB test to the Visa Officer abroad. Entry is given for 6 months provided the applicant has graduated from a medical school, and has evidence of a confirmed date to take the PLAB Test. Extensions of stay can be given to allow an overall maximum of 18 months to re-sit and pass the PLAB Test. However, if at the end of that time the applicant has failed, then he must leave the UK. On successful completion of PLAB an applicant can then gain approval to stay on as a Postgraduate Doctor provided he has an offer of a training post approved by the Postgraduate Dean, or has obtained a clinical attachment, work permit or HSMP or approval.
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Nursing Students
A Student Nurse is a person accepted for training as a student nurse or midwife, who on completion of the course will acquire a registered nursing qualification. Courses must meet the requirements of the Nursing & Midwifery Council and the student must be capable of following the course and intend to work only as a trainee nurse as arranged by the training establishment. Entry is given for the duration of the course. Student Nurses can be granted extension of stay for up to 4 years to complete their qualifications and must intend to leave the UK on completion of the course.
Overseas Qualified Nurses
An Overseas Qualified Nurse is a Nurse or Midwife who is already qualified outside the UK, and accepted by the Nursing & Midwifery Council of the UK for admission to the Overseas Nurses Programme, or who is to undertake a period of supervised practice, or an adaptation programme leading to registration as a Nurse or Midwife. The applicant must have an offer of a placement in one of the Nursing & Midwifery Council’s recognised practice or adaptation programmes, and can only take employment that is within these schemes. A maximum period of 18 months can be approved. If the applicant already has a shorter period of stay in a student / prospective student category, an extension can be granted provided the overall period of Nursing related education does not exceed 18 months.
