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Visa applications will be made a lot easier for prospective one-year master’s students applying to Newcastle University this year, thanks to a new visa pilot scheme.
Eligible international students applying to the prestigious Russell Group university will no longer be required to submit certificates, transcripts or documents showing they meet the Tier 4 visa maintenance requirements in their applications. The Tier 4 visa pilot has also increased the period students can stay in the UK after completing their programs from four to six months.
Anyone in the University’s 2018-2019 intake who wishes to study for 13 months or less will be able to participate in the pilot, which has also been rolled out to 22 other universities in England.
Students from the European Union and European Economic Area do not need visas to study in the UK at present, but the pilot could help if you’re from elsewhere in the world and wish to live and work in the UK after university.
Lucy Backhurst, Head of Recruitment and Admissions at Newcastle University said, "Newcastle University continues to successfully recruit students from across the globe based on our reputation for providing a world-class teaching and learning environment. The new pilot provides a far more streamlined process for genuine students who truly wish to study here."
The government said the pilot would support international students who hope to remain in the UK after their degree and switch to a work visa.
Chief executive of the Russell Group, Dr Tim Bradshaw, said: “International students enrich the learning environment on our campuses, enable local businesses to connect globally and bring huge economic benefit to the UK.
“For every seven international undergraduate students at a Russell Group university, £1 million is added to the economy.”
“The extension of this pilot is good news. It offers students a streamlined visa application and expands our post-study work offer. This will help attract students to study here and enable the UK to benefit from talented international graduates.”
2018 saw a record number of international applications
Despite concerns from 56 percent of students that Brexit would have a negative impact on their career, the UK’s decision to leave the European Union hasn’t diminished the number of applications to UK universities, according to the latest UCAS figures.
2018 actually saw a rise in the number of international applications to UK universities - over 100,000 for the first time ever.
The number of applications from EU students from outside the UK also hit record levels in January, rising 3.6 percent.
Helen Thorne, director of external relations at UCAS, said: "The UK’s universities are highly popular with EU and international students because of the quality of the teaching and experience they offer.
"There are probably several factors influencing the increasing numbers of applicants from the EU and beyond.
"For example, the weaker pound makes the UK a cost effective place to study and the Government’s confirmation that EU students starting courses this autumn will be able to benefit from the existing financial support arrangements will have been beneficial."
The UK remains a top study abroad destination primarily thanks to the high standards of research and teaching established by its universities. There are currently 959 universities in the QS World University Rankings, including four within the top 10.
Also, eight UK universities are listed in the QS Best Student Cities Ranking 2017, including London and Newcastle-upon-Tyne, achieving high scores in desirability, employer activity and student experience.
