Introduced in March 2009, the tier 4 visa category caters to students who are paying for tuition in the UK and reflects the importance that universities and colleges attach to income from overseas. In recent years student visas have proved controversial amid allegations that it has been an entry route that is particularly open to abuse. For this reason education providers are now increasingly responsible for ensuring that overseas students obey the rules of their visas.
The aim of the tier 4 immigration service is to provide a more user-friendly, transparent route to studying in the UK. With the exception of tier 1 visas, which directly replaced the Highly Skilled Migrant Programme, all tier visas for the new system require a certificate of sponsorship from the relevant sponsor. In this case, the sponsor will be the educational institution offering a place which a student has accepted. Each sponsoring institution will be required to vouch for the ability of students.

Duration

As a tier 4 student visa holder you will be granted leave to enter the UK for the purposes of completing your course at a specified institution. The duration of your student visa will take into account the time needed to conclude affairs and attend graduation at the conclusion of your course. You will be able to change from one course to another at the same establishment without needing to submit a new application, however changing your sponsor or obtaining a UK tier visa extension will require you to lodge another application.
Tier 4 of the new system is not intended as a route to settled status in the UK and does not provide the opportunity to apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain in the UK and therefore will not lead to British Naturalisation .

Categories of student

There are three categories of student visa that you will be able to apply for. Each category has its own separate set of criteria that must be satisfied.
General student
This category includes students studying in Britain at or above degree level in a publicly funded institution, or engaging in more than 15 hours of study per week. In this category you are permitted to work for 20 hours each week during term time and full-time during holiday periods. If you have any dependants they will be able to join you.

School student
This category includes students in full time study at an independent school up to the age of 18. Working hours are the same as the general student category but dependents are not permitted.
Study through work student
This category caters to students on work experience courses or placements. Working hours will be the same as the other two categories and dependants will be permitted in instances where the principal applicant will be in the country in excess of 12 months.

Responsibilities of educational institutions under the points-based system

All educational institutions that offer study places to overseas students will be required to attain approved sponsor status by showing that they are bona fide establishments.
Certificates of sponsorship act as verification from a college or university that students making UK visa applications will abide by the rules and requirements of their course. Educational institutions will also be under obligation to report non-enrolment and non-attendance.

Additional information

Dependants of students making a successful tier 4 UK visa application will be permitted to enter the UK, however as with tier 3 visas and tier 5 visas, this tier is regarded as a temporary immigration route. In addition, spouse and dependent immigration in these circumstances will also be temporary and will reflect the grant of leave awarded to the principal applicant.