Letter of parental consent (Tier 4 (General) students under the age of 18

Only)

211. If you are a 16 or 17 year old Tier 4 (General) student, you have the legal right to live independently in the UK, and so may make your own arrangements for accommodation. However you require the consent of your parent(s)/legal guardian(s) to do this and to travel to the UK (if you are applying from overseas).

212. If you are 16 or 17 years old and living independently, you must provide a letter from your

parent(s) or legal guardian(s), confirming:

• the relationship between you and your parent(s) or legal guardian(s);

• that your parent(s) or legal guardian(s) have given their consent to your application;

• that your parent(s) or legal guardian(s) have given their consent to you living

independently in the UK;

• that your parent(s) or legal guardian(s) have given their consent to your independent travel to the UK.

213. The letter must confirm if your parent(s) or legal guardian(s) have legal custody or sole responsibility for you. If they have sole custody then they must sign the letter. If they do not, the letter must confirm that each of your parent(s) or legal guardian(s) agree to the contents of the letter and it must be signed by each parent or legal guardian.

Tier 4 Policy Guidance version 11/2014 page 36 of 81

TIER 4 (CHILD) STUDENTS - SPECIFIC GUIDANCE

214. Paragraph 245ZZ to 245ZZD of the Immigration Rules contain full details of the requirements of the Tier 4 (Child) student category and you should ensure that you are a familiar with the requirements of the rules.

What is the Tier 4 (Child) student category?

215. The Tier 4 (Child) student category is for children coming to the UK to be educated between four and 17 years old. Children between four and 15 years old must be educated at independent fee-paying schools.

216. It is not possible for a Tier 4 (Child) student to study at a publicly funded school. Tier 4 (Child) students may only study at a publicly funded Further Education College which is able to charge for International Students, and then only once they are aged 16 or 17 years old.

217. You and your Tier 4 sponsor can agree whether you apply as a Tier 4 (General) or Tier

4 (Child) student if you are 16 or 17 years old and you will be studying a course at or above

level 3 of the National Qualification Framework.

218. You must apply as a Tier 4 (Child) student if you want to study at or below level 2 of the

National Qualifications Framework.

(a) It is not possible for an English language course to be offered to Tier 4 (Child) students who are under 16 years of age (except insofar as this forms part of a broader programme of study being taught in accordance with the National Curriculum, the NQF, or accepted as being of equivalent academic status or fulfilling the requirements of prevailing independent school inspection standards).

Can I switch in to the Tier 4 (Child) student category?

219. You can switch into the Tier 4 (Child) student category if you have, or were last given, permission to stay as:

• A Tier 4 (General) student; or

• A Tier 4 (Child) student; or

• a prospective student, or

• as a student under the Immigration Rules in place before 31 March 2009.

What are the acceptable levels of courses I can do?

220. You can do a course that is:

• taught in line with the National Curriculum; or

• taught in line with the National Qualification Framework (NQF); or

• accepted as being the same academic level as the National Curriculum or the National Qualification Framework by Ofsted (England), the Education and Training Inspectorate (Northern Ireland), Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Education (Scotland) or Estyn (Wales); or

• taught in line with existing (also known as prevailing) independent school education

inspection standards; or

Tier 4 Policy Guidance version 11/2014 page 37 of 81

• pre-sessional courses to prepare you for your main course of study. The main course of study must meet the conditions above.

When can I come to the UK?

221. Your course start date is the date given by your Tier 4 sponsor on your CAS.

222. You can come to the UK up to one month before the start date of your course.

How long can I come to the UK for?

223. The length of stay you can be given will depend on your age. If you are under 16 years old, you can be given:

• the length of stay that you ask for; or

• the length of your course; or

• six years;

You will also be given an additional four months after the end of your course.

224. If you are aged 16 or 17 years old can be given whichever is the shortest of:

• the length of stay that you ask for; or

• the length of your course; or

• three years;

You will also be given an additional four months after the end of the course.

225. If you turn 18 years old, you can carry on with your course until your permission to stay ends. If you want to do further study in the UK, you will have to apply under another category, for example, as a Tier 4 (General) student.

226. If you have official financial sponsorship which wholly covers your fees and living costs, and your financial sponsor limits the time you may study in the UK, then your permission to stay will be limited to the same length of time plus the usual additional period allowed.

Date: 2016-03-03; view: 1347