Student Visas

Please find below an update from UKBA with regards to academic progression requirement from 4th July 2011 onwards.

Changes with effect from 4th July 2011 onwards with regards to academic progression of a Tier 4 (General) Student.

  • If you have a CAS that was assigned on or after 4th July 2011, and you have permission to stay as a Tier4 (General) student (or under the rules that were in force before 31st March 2009), a Tier 4 sponsor can only give you a CAS for a new course if that new course represents academic progress from your previous study. You can study for a new qualification at a higher academic level (e.g. moving from NQF 6 to NQF 7) , or you may study at the same academic level in a way that complements or enhances previous study.*
  • If a Tier 4 sponsor (e.g. KKCL) is assigning a CAS to you as a student (who may be applying from the UK or overseas) to undertake a second or subsequent course of study in the UK, the course must represent academic progression from the previous UK course of study.
  • A Tier 4 sponsor (e.g. KKCL) does not need to show academic progression if you are undertaking your first course of study in the UK, or if the sponsor is assigning a CAS to you to complete an existing course. This includes situations where you are completing a course which you commenced with another Tier 4 sponsor.

The only exception to this is where you, as a Tier 4 (General) student, are:

  • Re-sitting examinations or repeating modules or:
  • Making a first application to move to a new institution to complete a course commenced elsewhere.

To show academic progression, the level of your new course should normally be at a higher level than your previous UK course of study.

*In certain circumstances, academic progression may involve further study at the same level – for example, an MBA or research-based Master’s degree following a taught Master’s degree, or a course that allows you to develop a deeper specialisation in a particular field. In such cases, you must confirm that the new course is complementary to the previous UK course of study.

For more information, please visit the United Kingdom Border Agency website