University of Exeter joins visa pilot scheme

Exeter is one of 23 universities that have been invited to join the existing pilot scheme, run by the UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) department.

Now in its second year, the scheme is designed to streamline the process for international students who are looking to study on a Masters course of 13 months or less in the UK.

It also provides greater support for students who wish to switch to a work visa and take up a graduate role, by allowing them to remain in the UK for 6 months after they have finished their course.

Universities taking part are given responsibility for eligibility checks, meaning that students can submit fewer documents than required in the current process alongside their visa applications.

Ian Blenkharn, Director of Education and Student Support at the University of Exeter said: “The University of Exeter is delighted to participate in the Tier 4 visa pilot, reflecting our ongoing commitment to supporting the large number of international students who wish to study with us. 

“We have students from 130 different countries across our campuses in Devon and Cornwall and our participation in the Tier 4 visa pilot will enable us to provide a more streamlined and student-friendly route through the immigration process.’

Announcing the extended pilot scheme, Immigration Minister Brandon Lewis said: I am delighted to announce the expansion of this pilot which is part of our ongoing activity to ensure that our world-leading institutions remain highly competitive.”

The most recent Home Office statistics show that the number of students applying for visas increased by 8% over the past year, and there has been a 9% increase in the number of students applying to Russell Group universities.

The 23 additional universities will be able to apply the pilot to their 2018/19 intake. The universities were selected as their visa refusal rates are consistently the lowest in their area or region