Research Degrees Overseas student inductionUKVI and Tier 4 visas

September 2014

Hello!• Welcome to the OU• The Research Degrees Office – what we do• The OU and UKVI and you as a student• Institutional requirements and penalties• What you need to do• Where to get help

The Research Degrees Office• Student registry• Supports students, and supports the faculties in

managing student matters• Upholds research degree policy and regulations• Affiliated Research Centres and their students • Tier 4 visas• Fees, funding and payments• Prospectus, website, surveys• Student data and statutory returns

UKVI and the OU• The OU has Highly Trusted Sponsor status (HTS)• Before registration:• CAS • COS• ATAS

UKVI and the OU• At registration:• Documents checked, copied and verified

UKVI and the OU• After registration:• Annual document checks• Attendance monitoring• Tier 4 Doctoral extension scheme• Completion and departure reporting• UKVI compliance visits

UKVI and the OU• Heavy penalties for you and us if we do not undertake

our duties!

• London Metropolitan University 2012• Glasgow Caledonian University 2011• Teesside University 2012

• UKVI compliance visit in August 2012 - passed

What you need to do• Be aware of your visa conditions and expiry date• If you need a visa extension, apply in good time• Don’t breach the terms of your visa, e.g. working hours limit• Attend the OU when you are supposed to• Tell us when you leave the country• Tell us what you are going to do when you complete your studies• Keep your contact details up to date• Tell us about any problems

Here to help• Research Degrees Advisers:

research-degrees-office@open.ac.uk• UKVI website: www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk • UKCISA: www.ukcisa.org.uk • Student advice line: 020 7788 9214 • EURAXESS: http://www.britishcouncil.org/new/Euraxess/ • Guide: http://www.britishcouncil.org/new/Euraxess/Guide-for-

international-researchers/ • Prepare for success: http://www.prepareforsuccess.org.uk/ • Other students

Questions?• Contact research-degrees-office@open.ac.uk• 01908 654882