Latest News
Latest News & Updates for International Students
**Come and see the International Librarian - Angela Joyce - she is here to assist you with any help you may need in the library, which can be a daunting place at times!
******Come along to the Varsity Boat Race against UWE!*****
It's taking place on the Harbourside on Saturday 12th May. Come and cheer on Bristol! The spectator area will be on Prince's Wharf - the area around The Olive
Shed restaurant and the M Shed Museum.
The event will start at 12.30pm, with racing from 1pm and will feature ten races, finishing with the presentations to teams at about 4.30pm. As well as racing we'll have music and dance provided by a few of our societies and The Olive Shed will be serving food and there'll be a bar.
Come along - it promises to be a great afternoon!
Audio Notetaker
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Message posted 26/11/10
Sharing recipes from around the world
Message posted 17/03/10
Prize Draw WINNER
At the start of the year we ran a Prize Draw for sharing your recipes all of which are in the World Recipe book.
The International Advice & Support office have read through all the recipes entered and have decided that the winner of a £20 Amazon gift voucher is...Chandrachoodan Gopalakrishnan from India with his recipe for 'Rasam & Rice For the Rasam'.
You can view Chandrachoodans winning recipe in the World Recipe Book.
Congratulations to Chandrachoodan and many thanks to everyone who shared their recipes with us.
Tier 4 Student Visa - New Application Forms and Policy Guidance
Message posted 22/02/10
From Monday 22 February 2010, revised versions of each of the following documents will be available on the UKBA website:
· Tier 4 application forms
· Tier 4 help text documents
· Tier 4 Policy Guidance
· PBS Dependant Policy Guidance
Please be aware that the Tier 4 and dependant guidance documents will be revised again before 3 March 2010 and that all PBS application forms will change again in April to incorporate changes to the fees.
If you are applying for a Tier 4 student visa, please ensure that you continue to make use of the latest version of all documents and application forms as they become available.
Tier 4 Student Visa
Message posted 04/02/10
Tier 4 Student Visa - Important Changes for those students making student visa applications in the UK after 1st February 2010 (including those students whose UK student visas will not cover the duration of their course)
If you have questions about the information below, please come along to a Student Visa Drop-in session in the International Advice and Support office between 2pm-3pm on the following dates – Monday 8th and Monday 22nd February and Monday 8th March.
1) Money (maintenance or funds)
If you are applying for a Tier 4 student visa after 1st February you must show that you have held the required amount of money every day for a full 28 day period and the closing balance on your bank statement must also show the required amount. The last date on this bank statement must be less than 1 month before you make your application.
Example - if your bank statement is dated 1st March, the latest you can send it is 1st April and you must have held the required amount of money everyday for 28 days i.e. from 1st February to 1st March.
For full details regarding this and what other information should be given on the bank statements please see paragraphs 133-137 in the ‘Tier 4 of the Points Based System – Policy Guidance’; www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/sitecontent/applicationforms/pbs/Tier4migrantguidance.pdf
2) CAS (Confirmations of Acceptance for Studies) replaces visa letter on 22nd February 2010
On 22nd February 2010 the CAS will replace visa letters. Please note that from 22nd February you will NOT be able to apply for a Tier 4 student visa using a visa letter, even if the visa letter was issued before 22nd February. Therefore, if you have a visa letter that you intend to use, you must apply for your visa before 21st February 2010. Otherwise you will need to obtain a CAS. However, please remember that if you choose to apply before 21st February using a visa letter you must be able to meet the new maintenance requirement as detailed above. Please see the UKBA website for confirmation of this change; www.bia.homeoffice.gov.uk/sitecontent/newsarticles/2010/January/34-changes-t4-applications
What is a CAS and where can I get it?
A CAS is an electronic reference number, therefore, it is not a paper document but it is a virtual document. The CAS number will be unique to each student and will contain information about your course of study as well as your personal details. You can request your CAS number from your Faculty Office and it will be e-mailed to you. You will ONLY need to request a CAS if you are making a student visa application. You are advised to request your CAS at least 6 weeks before your visa expires.
For full details regarding the CAS please see paragraphs 18-27 in the ‘Tier 4 of the Points Based System – Policy Guidance’; www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/sitecontent/applicationforms/pbs/Tier4migrantguidance.pdf
Tier 4 visa applications - Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS)
Message posted 07/01/10
From 1st January 2010 the Processing time for ATAS applications has been increased from 10 working days to 20 working days.
Only certain students will need to send an ATAS certificate with their Tier 4 student visa application. It will state on your visa letter whether or not you need to apply for ATAS.
In our experience, ATAS applications can take LONGER than 20 days. If you can, please apply for your ATAS certificate 3 months BEFORE you need to apply for your Tier 4 student visa – this will allow you plenty of time to wait for your ATAS certificate to be sure you can include it in your application.
http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/about-us/what-we-do/services-we-deliver/atas
Quiz
Message posted 15/12/09
Got 5 minutes to spare? Why not test out your local and national knowledge with one of our quizzes.
Passport & ID card photocopies
Message posted 07/04/09
IMPORTANT information for all foreign nationals who require a visa to enter and study in the UK - Passport & ID card photocopies now required.
Working whilst Studying
Message posted 07/01/09
Information on working in the UK whilst studying on a valid student visa is now available to view on-line.
IMPORTANT - Change to General Visitor Immigration Rules
Message posted 24/11/08
Please read our Student to Visitor Visa (28.6, PDF) document for important information on recent immigration changes. This immigration change may affect you and your plans for attending graduation.
UK-Chinese Times
Message posted 31/10/08
Get your free copy of UK-Chinese Times paper from the International Foyer and International Advice & Support office.