New visa opportunity for Imperial students

A new visa pilot scheme will make moving to the UK easier for international students who win a place on Imperial Masters programmes.

The Tier 4 Visa pilot scheme, launched this week by the Home Office, supports applications from talented students from across the world who wish to study at Imperial and three other UK universities. 

Those who achieve places on Imperial’s one-year Masters courses will gain access to a streamlined visa application process. Students will also be granted an additional six months on their UK visa after their course ends, allowing for extra time to find work or pursue further study and research.   

Imperial joins the universities of Oxford, Cambridge and Bath in piloting the scheme, which will affect visa applications decided on or after 25 July 2016. It is open to students commencing their studies in 2016/17 or 2017/18. 

Imperial’s President Professor Alice Gast said: “International students are a priority for Imperial and they add to our diverse community in myriad ways. They bring creative, entrepreneurial and academic excellence.  

“This pilot scheme is an encouraging step forward.  The ability to stay on for six months will bring benefits to the students and to the country as our talented graduates will be able to pursue their entrepreneurial ideas, further study or add to the UK’s talent pool.”

Photo credit: Thomas Angus