Have you gained admission into a UK university but unsure of how to go about applying for a UK study visa?
If you complete a degree in the UK, are you eligible for a work visa?
Can you re-apply for a visa if your previous application was rejected?
To answer these and many other questions related to UK study and study visas, Chris Breeze, student team leader, Visa Services, British Deputy High Commission, Mumbai, hosted a chat with Get Ahead readers on April 23.
For those of you who missed the chat, here's part I of the unedited transcript:
Part II: Is work experience needed for an MBA?
Chris Breeze says, Hello. Welcome to the latest in a series of webchats to help explain how you can apply to go to the UK to study. We want to encourage more genuine students to choose to study in the UK, which has a global reputation for providing high standards of education. During this chat we hope to dispel some myths about applying for a student visa. We also want to help you understand how sponsorship works and what kinds of documents might help evidence your ability and intention to study in the UK. Today is all about studying in the UK. We will not have the opportunity to respond to questions about other types of UK visas. We are ready, let's hear your questions now.
shli asked, Hi Chris, Is a work visa granted automatically at the completion of any masters degree course in the UK? Is it valid for 1 year or 2 years? I am 43 years old and would like to do a Masters in Finance. Is there an age bar?
Chris Breeze answers, No. If you graduated from a UK university or other educational institution within the last 12 months with a bachelor's degree, master's degree, PhD or (with effect from 1 May 2007) a postgraduate certificate or diploma, you can apply to stay in the UK to seek employment for 12 months after your degree course finishes, without getting a work permit under the International Graduate Scheme (IGS). From 1 April 2008, this IGS will be extended to 2 years. No age limits apply.
Sunny asked, I had got admission in Holborn College MBA course via mature entry route. However, my visa got denied coz I have not complted graduation. How can this be avoided
Chris Breeze answers, If your application for a visa is refused, we will send you a written notice explaining why. To make sure that we have made a fair decision in line with the Immigration Rules, an Entry Clearance Manager will often review the decision within 24 hours. In some cases, you will have the right to appeal against the decision. Appealing the decision is free. The types of application for which you have a right to appeal are set out in UK law. If your visa is refused we will inform you if you if have a right to appeal and how to exercise it.
sam asked, hi chris, what is the best UK coll for MBA studies?
Chris Breeze answers, You can look up UK reatings at http://www.tqi.ac.uk/ or www.hero.ac.uk/rae
ssbithra asked, Dear Sir/Madam I had completed my Diploma in Hotel Management from London in June 2007 and came back to India ater that. Now I wish to apply for IGS scheme to gain the relevant work experience in the UK. My question is 1)AM I ELIGIBLE TO APPLY?IF YES 2)WHAT WILL BE THE DURATION OF VISA THAT I WILL GET UNDER IGS? 3)CAN I APPLY IN INDIA OR DO I NEED TO GO TO UK FOR APPLYING?
Chris Breeze answers, For IGS, please go to Working in the UK - www.bia.homeoffice.gov.uk/workingintheuk/
suneet asked, I want to pursue Diploma In computer Networking/security.Is IELTS compulsory for diploma ? I have completed my High school in english medium I m also Microsoft certified engineer and Completed Advcance diploma from Jetking computer hardware and networking institute . can u suggest me sir which college/university is best for me? what is the english requirements ?what are the chances of scholorship?
Chris Breeze answers, Although not compulsory, a good way to show that your English is good enough for you to follow the course is to provide an original certificate from an organisation which tests English ability. Two such organisations are International English Language Testing System (IELTS) and Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). Please consult your prospective university.
sam asked, do all uk colleges require GMAT for MBA degree?
Chris Breeze answers, Check with your prospective university, but most do ask for it.
Sunny asked, Does a Visa refusal makes it difficult to obtain visa when applied next time
Chris Breeze answers, If we have previously refused you a visa, you can make another application at any time However, if the reasons for the earlier refusal still apply, we may refuse your application again.
UKstudy asked, Hello Sir.. I wanna do my Msc in UK..but some seniors say that it better to have 2-3yrs exp b4 doing Postgraduate from UK,.what ur opinion about it
Chris Breeze answers, Speak to British COuncil - www.britishcouncil.org
shli asked, I have a 10 yr UK visitors visa. If I apply as a student, will the visitors visa be cancelled?
Chris Breeze answers, No.
Yatin asked, Dear sir i geting master degree in social work from india,i want to do Phd in social workbut so i want information about this what sources in uk
Chris Breeze answers, www.britishcouncil.org
rambo asked, how du u rate the job opprtunities on graduating from cardiff with an msc?
Chris Breeze answers, see www.educationuk-in.org or Working in the UK - www.bia.homeoffice.gov.uk/workingintheuk/
karan asked, Hi chris,iam a dental graduate.can i do postgraduation in UK.what are the options.I dont wanna practice in UK,but desire to do PG
Chris Breeze answers, Working in the UK - www.bia.homeoffice.gov.uk See Immigration Rules for dentists there
Abha asked, How can I know whether an institution or a university is genuine or not?
Chris Breeze answers, www.dfes.gov.uk/recognisedukdegrees/
gireeshnair asked, hello chris. my son is currently studying in school in the 7th std. is there any boarding school wherein he can take admission.
Chris Breeze answers, www.educationuk-in.org
Kunalp asked, Hi Chris, If I pursue an MBA from UK, will I be allowed to work in UK itself? Currently i am working for an INDIAN MNC
Chris Breeze answers, see Working in the UK - www.bia.homeoffice.gov.uk/workingintheuk/
vvk asked, i want to do mba from UK.wats d score required in GMAT to get into a top b school of UK? wat abt scholarships?
Chris Breeze answers, www.educationuk-in.org
jayakrishnan asked, is ther any age bar for getting a mba from uk?
Chris Breeze answers, no
kris asked, hey i am post graduate in biotechnology , and want to pursue Phd in medicine in UK ..will it be possible to get scholarships for that
Chris Breeze answers, check with prospective university
dev asked, Hi Chris i have got an offer form nottingham the fees is 18500 and i assume living expenses would be about 7000.. so what would be ideal amount in INR to get the student visa
Chris Breeze answers, 650 gbp outside london, 750 gbp london and s.east per month
khan asked, i would like to study in uk simultaneously i would like to work also
Chris Breeze answers, you can 20 hrs per week and full-time in holidays
varsha asked, hi can u give me some good colleges name in Uk which gives an MBA degree
Chris Breeze answers, www.educationuk-in.org
UKstudy asked, Many ppl say that ,we cant judge UK universities on there ranking given in hero or any other websites...What do u say
Chris Breeze answers, www.tqi.ac.uk
Ashay asked, What is the Fresh Talent scheme? Does it help in visas?
Chris Breeze answers, If you successfully complete an HND, degree course, Master's, PhD or (with effect from 1 May 2007) a postgraduate certificate or diploma, awarded by a Scottish institution, you may be able to apply to live and work in Scotland for up to two years after achieving your qualification under the Fresh Talent: Working in Scotland scheme.
premjit asked, I have my Btech in Civil and work for a UK company in India as a Structural Engineer.Is there any universities offering correspondence M.Tech or ME in structures?
Chris Breeze answers, www.educationuk-in.org
Harshal asked, Hi Chris, i am engineering graduate and I have 4 years of experience working as business analyst in software industry. (worked with Merrill Lynch,Cap Gemini) Doing MBA from UK can i afford? how can i get assistanceship/ scholarship?
Chris Breeze answers, check with your university
shankar asked, Hi Chris, May i could know about the university which offers Masters in Networking
Chris Breeze answers, www.educationuk-in.org
jimmy asked, I have 3+ Exp in Telecom and want to pursue MBA from UK.Some collges gave you ability to get HSMP iS it applies on Indian Students?
Chris Breeze answers, Working in the UK - www.bia.homeoffice.gov.uk/workingintheuk/
vandan asked, hi, i am chartered accountant from india, tell me what oppertunities exits for me in UK
Chris Breeze answers, www.educationuk-in.org
gireeshnair asked, question not answered . can i take admission for school in the 7th grade for my 11 year old son
Chris Breeze answers, check with the school you wish to have your child attend
piyush asked, which is d best university in uk 2 pursue hospitality management studies???
Chris Breeze answers, we cannot tell you individual advice - please consult www.educationuk-in.org
ssbithra asked, where can we see the list of trusted partners of high commission
Chris Breeze answers, trusted partners is a new programme, and still in process of development. more news soon.
Sunny asked, Hello Chris, Is gaining admission in a reputed univ. and showing adequate funds enough to get a visa. How much weightage is given to past academic records ? How a college dropout who wants to continue his studies make officials beleive that he is a genuine student. Pls help ?
Chris Breeze answers, please see UKvisas - https://www.gov.uk/apply-uk-visa
BRADY asked, SIR I WANT TO DO AN INTERNSHIP IN UK THIS SUMMER IN CIVIL ENGINEERING WHICH UNIVERSITES PROVIDE INTERNSHIP ??
Chris Breeze answers, check with your university
vikash asked, hi chris, i have just finished my law i want to do my LLM can u suggest me
Chris Breeze answers, if youn want to purue further studies you may wsnt to see the British Council website first, www.educationuk-in.org
Sayan asked, Hello Kevin. I have been unconditionally accepted by an university in U.K.My course starts in September.I have got all the documents ready for the visa application procedure.I would be extremely glad if you let me know if I can apply for visa by April . Is there a hard and fast rule that a student visa is not given three months before the course starts?If so, could you kindly let me know what can I do to avoid the rush? Thank you.
Chris Breeze answers, We can post-date any visa by 3 months and recommend that you apply 4-6 weeks beforehand
sahil25 asked, hi chris i am sahil i am doing ba hons from rm institue of hospitality mgt which is affiliated to thames valley university london uk ...i want to go for post graduation ...so will i get 2 years igs after completion of course
Chris Breeze answers, check www.bia.homeoffice.gov.uk/workingintheuk/
anand asked, i am a post graduate in commerce, age 27 will it be possibel for me to pursue further studies in uk what shall be the first process...
Chris Breeze answers, see www.britishcouncil.org in the first instance
Sayan asked, Hello Kevin. I have been unconditionally accepted by an university in U.K.My course starts in September.I have got all the documents ready for the visa application procedure.I would be extremely glad if you let me know if I can apply for visa by April . Is there a hard and fast rule that a student visa is not given three months before the course starts?If so, could you kindly let me know what can I do to avoid the rush? Thank you.
Chris Breeze answers, You can appy well in time for your visa but we can only post-date visa by 3 months from the date of issue. we assess most applications on paper and you get a a decesion withing 4 working days
Pranjali asked, Hi.I am a postgraduate in Economics. I am currently pursuing M Phil in Economics.I have a 3 year teaching experience in reputed Management Schools.I wish to know what are my options for a PhD in Economics and work opportunities simultaneously.I have had a first class academic career throughout.what are my chances of getting a fellowship or scholarship?.where do I look for them?.thannx
Chris Breeze answers, check with your prospective insititutes
kavish asked, which is the best university/college for aerospace/aeronautical engineering??
Chris Breeze answers, www.educationuk-in.org
shrankhla asked, hi chris, i just want to know how many year work permit visa will i get if i go for MBA this Acadmic year i.e' sep2008-sep2009???
Chris Breeze answers, Working in the UK - www.bia.homeoffice.gov.uk/workingintheuk/ have a look at this website, gives you info about working in the UK/time limits the visas are valid for in different catogories
Mohan asked, Hi , I am graduate in Computer Sc. and Tech & working in a S/W company from last 2.5 years. I want to study M Tech or MSc in computer scinece from recognised universities in abroad. As I am not so good in English , can you please suggest me which exams are suitable for getting scholarships.
Chris Breeze answers, try contacting British Council - http://www.britishcouncil.org/
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