Postgraduate Student visa holders and academic engagement
As international students studying in the UK on a Student visa, you will be aware of your requirements under the terms of your Student visa which are set by the UK Government. The University as your “sponsor” also has a number of requirements placed upon it. Together, the student and the University must follow these requirements so that you can continue to study in the UK.
As a Student Sponsor, the University of Birmingham is legally required to monitor the attendance and academic engagement of international students throughout their studies. We understand that sometimes students may wish to take a break from their studies or complete their dissertation from overseas. As an international student it is important to be aware that certain decisions may result in the withdrawal of immigration sponsorship.
Completing your dissertation overseas as a PGT student on a Student visa
If you choose to complete your dissertation from overseas, you must submit a request for authorised absence. Please note that this decision will lead to the University withdrawing immigration sponsorship of your Student visa. This is because whilst you are overseas the University cannot monitor your academic engagement in accordance with our responsibilities under the Student Sponsor Licence.
Why is immigration sponsorship withdrawn?
Your Student visa is granted specifically for study within the UK, on University premises. If you relocate overseas to complete your dissertation, the University can no longer monitor your academic engagement, which is a requirement of our sponsorship duties. In such cases, the Home Office expects the University to withdraw immigration sponsorship. For further information on withdrawal of immigration sponsor and what this means please read: Withdrawal of Immigration Sponsorship.
Absences for non-academic reasons
For absences up to seven calendar days, you are not required to apply through a central absence process. If your School require you to notify them of an absence up to seven days, please follow their guidance on this matter.
Fieldwork
During the summer period you may need to undertake fieldwork for your dissertation in another location. If you do this, you must submit an authorised absence request. We will inform the Home Office that you have temporarily changed your study location; this will not affect your visa.
As you will still be studying whilst completing fieldwork, the University may approve a period of absence longer than eight weeks. We must fulfil our obligations as a Student route sponsor and continue to monitor your academic engagement and progress whilst you are away.
Authorised absence and impact on your visa
Please carefully consider the information below if you are considering writing up your dissertation from overseas.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I complete my dissertation overseas and retain my Student visa?
No. The University can only continue sponsoring your Student visa if you remain in the UK and maintain academic engagement in line with sponsorship requirements.
What happens when immigration sponsorship is withdrawn?
Once the University withdraws immigration sponsorship a report is made to the Home Office against your Student visa via the online Sponsor Management System (SMS).
The Home Office will send a letter notifying you of the decision to curtail your visa to your last known address and may also email you. It is very important that you update your details with the Home Office using your UKVI account. Check both your post and your emails and keep a copy of the correspondence from the Home Office. If you have less than 60 days remaining on your current visa, we expect that the Home Office will write to you and advise you to leave before your leave expires. If you have more than 60 days remaining on your current visa, the Home Office will write to you to shorten your remaining visa time and tell you the new end date of your leave to remain in the UK. This will be the date by which you must leave the UK.
Please note sometimes there may be a delay in you receiving your curtailment letter/email from the Home Office. Therefore, you are advised to make the necessary arrangements to leave the UK as soon as possible.
Overstaying
If you continue to stay in the UK after the expiry date of your leave to remain you will become an 'overstayer'. Overstaying is a criminal offence in the UK and should be avoided. If you overstay your visa, you will have to disclose this on any future visa applications made to enter the UK.
For further information on withdrawals please see: Withdrawal of Immigration Sponsorship
Will completing my dissertation overseas affect my eligibility for the Graduate Route visa?
Yes. If you complete your dissertation overseas, the University will withdraw your immigration sponsorship, which will affect your eligibility for the Graduate Route. As a part of the eligibility for the Graduate Route visa you must:
- Hold a valid Student visa
- Successfully complete your course
- Meet the study in the UK requirement by completing the full 12-months of study, postgraduate studies, in the UK (this excludes permitted vacation periods)
- Make a Graduate Route visa application from inside the UK.
For further information on the eligibility criteria please read:
Graduate Route Visa and
Graduate visa: Overview - GOV.UK
How can I return to the UK for graduation if I complete my course overseas?
If you finish your course from overseas, your Student visa will be cancelled. You cannot use a cancelled visa to re-enter the UK, and any attempt to do so may negatively affect your immigration history. To attend graduation, you must apply for a
Visit visa
Immigration advice and guidance
You can contact the International Student Team for advice on your visa and visa options.