Tier 4 to Tier 2 switch

[maams0704]

Hi,

I had come to UK in Sept 2010 to do a 2 Yr MSc Finance course, which is adminisitered in London but the degree is offered by a French college. The course consists of a 1 Year on campus study + 1 year as an off term dissertation year (to complete the dissertation). I have been working for a company as an Intern for the last 9 months and they have indicated that they are willing to convert me to a full time employee. However standard rules say to switch, you need to have completed your degree to switch from Tier 4 to Tier 2. I am yet to complete my dissertation and would get the degree only by Dec 2012. In order to switch form Tier 4 to Tier 2 before that I wanted to know what are my options of doing so? I have completed the 1 year on campus part of the course and have cleared all the papers. Any feedback would be appreciated. Thanks.

[Greenie]

1 year to complete a dissertation for a masters?!

There are a number of problems I foresee. Firstly, you cannot swtich from Tier 4 to Tier 2 unless you have completed and passed your course. If you still have your dissertation to do, then you haven't completed your course.

The other difficulty is that in order to switch, you must have been awarded a UK recognised bachelor or postgraduate degree. If your degree is going to be awarded by a French institution, I do not think your will meet this requirement either.

See 235HD(d)(i)

[maams0704]

No I completely understand all that. It is a year to complete your dissertation and take up internships or work placements during that year to gain work experience. That's why I wanted to know my options. My employers visa agents say there are only 2 ways, wait till you get your degree and then apply from here or go back to your home country now and then apply. Just wanted to know if there were any other options. Thanks anyways.

[Greenie]

well my point is that even if you get your degree I am not sure you can switch because you will not be awarded a 'uk recognised degree'.

[maams0704]

According to college administrator, previous students have asked for the degree in the French language and then got it validated by a company called NARIC stating that it is a equivalent to a UK Masters degree. Post this step they have applied for the switch and have been successful.

[Greenie]

According to college administrator, previous students have asked for the degree in the French language and then got it validated by a company called NARIC stating that it is a equivalent to a UK Masters degree. Post this step they have applied for the switch and have been successful.

the rules have only recently been changed to limit switching to this extent (i.e. from 6th April) so I am not sure how relevent this is. The rules now specifically refer to UK recognised degrees, degrees 'equivalent' to UK degrees are not 'UK recognised degrees'