International Opportunities and Immigration Helen Challis & Angela Lin International Office

International Opportunities Overview Collaborative PhDs Summer Schools Student Grants Conferences

Joint PhD Programmes Overview Three options...

Joint PhD Programmes Overview One programme of collaborative research: supervisors at both institutions Any discipline (project-permitting) Joint degree: one certificate with both institutions’ names and logos Time split according to research, with a minimum of 12 months at Imperial

Asian Summer Schools: Early-Stage PhD Students Singapore / Hong Kong 1-week course + 3-week research placement NUS, NTU or A*STAR/ University of Hong Kong 48 students per course drawn from participating institutions

IDEA League Summer School 40 students from five partner institutions Residential 4-day course Research skills, Communication, Teamwork, International Collaborations Five partners: Imperial, TU Delft, ETH Zurich, RWTH Aachen, ParisTech Student Grants €1,000/month Research placement 2 weeks – 6 months in duration €18,000 available per year

Tsinghua Summer School Employability and Entrepreneurship Grant-writing, commercialisation of research Alternates between Beijing and London Late-stage PhD students 1-week

International Office can help you with… Visa renewals Dependent visas Correcting Entry Clearance mistakes Travel visas Family visits Working during your studies Checking permission to work Working after your studies

International Office can help you with… Visa renewals Dependent visas Correcting Entry Clearance mistakes Travel visas Family visits Working during your studies Checking permission to work Working after your studies

International Office can help you with… Visa renewals Working during your studies Checking permission to work Working after your studies

Points Based System Tier 1: Highly Skilled / Post Study Work Tier 2: skilled workers with a job offer, to fill gaps in the UK labour force Tier 3:low skilled workers to fill specific temporary labour shortages (dormant) Tier 4:students Tier 5:youth mobility and temporary workers

Student Entry Clearance Rules The applicant needs to prove that s/he: Has been accepted on to a full-time course Has the ability and intention to follow the course (CAS number: 30 points) Has adequate finances (bank statement: 10 points)

Student Visa Rules Enrolled on full-time course (no part-time study) No ‘gap’ years Degree level course OR 15 day-time hours/week at ‘bona-fide’ college Enough money without needing to work

Three ways to apply 1.In person at Public Enquiry Office, Croydon - fast but expensive (£650) 2.By post independently - cheaper (£357) but slower) 3.Using the International Office Student Batch Scheme - same cost as postal (£357), added support of College

Student Visa Renewal Write visa expiry date in diary 1 month before it expires: Print & complete visa renewal form Collect your supporting documents Book appointment / attend a visa clinic in the International Office to get your application checked

Working in the UK during your studies Non EEA students can work: 20 hours per week in term time Unlimited hours in holiday time PG students – 20 hours max during dissertation Special rules for new Europeans, Romanians & Bulgarians

Permission to Work: visa wording Work / Business as in Tier 4 Rules No recourse to public funds Work (and any changes) must be authorised Limited Leave to remain in the UK. No recourse to public funds. Able to work as authorised by the Secretary of State.

Work after your studies Student visa holder after end of course (short-term but full-time) Long-term and full-time (current options) Tier 1 Post Study Work (2 years) Tier 1 General: Highly Skilled (3 years) Tier 2 Skilled Worker (Work Permit)

Tier 1: Post Study Work Launched June 2008 Permission to remain in the UK to work and look for work for up to 2 years Postal application = £550 (in person = £850) Apply up to 12 months from date when course completion is confirmed Guidance from International Office:

Tier 1 General: Highly Skilled Points for Qualifications, Age, Previous Earnings, UK experience, English Language and Maintenance Check points at:

Tier 2 Job offer (sponsor) required Points for Qualifications, Future Salary, Certificate of Sponsorship, English Language and Maintenance

General Tips on Points Based System Things are changing – check you have latest advice, application form and follow UKBA guidance Maintenance requirement: £800 in UK, £2800 overseas Don’t breach your student visa conditions! Complete applications only – keep a copy

International Office Room 164, Level 1, Sherfield Building Tel

Any questions? More information at: or contact