Research postgraduate applicants awaiting master's degree results
UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) regulations require students who have previously studied in the UK on a Tier 4 (General) student visa to demonstrate academic progression if they are going to study a further course in the UK while on a Tier 4 (General) student visa.
Overseas applicants with an October start date and yet to be awarded their master's degree
Applicants due to be awarded their master's degree in December 2018 or January 2019 starting a PhD in October 2018 cannot provide their degree certificate prior to their start date.
These applicants can instead provide formal written confirmation from their current UK sponsor that based on their performance throughout the course the sponsor (i.e. their current UK university) deems that the student is highly likely to successfully complete their course.The new sponsor must then note on the Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) that their offer is based on this formal written confirmation.
In the event that the student does not successfully complete the masters, the new sponsor is required to notify UKVI and withdraw sponsorship of the student. Abuse of the ability to provide formal written formal confirmation, or failing to withdraw sponsorship, may result in compliance action being taken by UKVI.
Master's completion – evidence required
To enable a student to start study in October we require a document that confirms the student is highly likely to successfully complete their current programme of studies. This must conform to the following:
1. Be on University headed paper
2. Be issued by the school or central administration
3. Confirm that the student has completed all the components for the course
4. Include any provisional results
5. Include the following statement: 'I confirm that this student is highly likely to successfully complete their programme.'
6. Be signed and/or stamped
7. Include the date the qualification is due to be awarded
Postgraduate Research and Operations will need evidence that these new students have been awarded their master's degrees in the December/January following them starting study in October.
English language
It has been agreed that the statement from the current sponsor can also be used to demonstrate that the applicant meets our English language entry requirements. No further evidence is required centrally although the school can request additional evidence if they wish.
The offer letter will be unconditional once PGR & Operations have written confirmation from the school, but it will contain a clause to explain the requirement of evidence of the award at a later stage and that failure to provide this will result in withdrawal from the course.
If the school requires a certain mark in the master's degree then the start date must be after the result is known.
Process
Schools must make it clear on the recommendation report that they wish to accept the applicant on the basis of completion of the masters' degree.
Home/EU applicants with an October start date and yet to be awarded their master's degree
If the school wishes to accept an applicant who does not need a visa to study in the UK for a October start date then the offer will be based on the standard minimum academic entry requirements of at least a British bachelor 2:1 (hons) or equivalent and the completion of the master's degree.
The school must make an academic judgement that they are happy to accept the applicant bearing in mind the risk of them failing their master's degree.
Process
Schools must make it clear on the recommendation report that they wish to accept the applicant on the basis of the award of the bachelor's degree + completion of the master's degree.
Master's completion – evidence required
The evidence (letter or email) should confirm that the student has completed all the components for the course and be sent by the course tutor or administrator directly to rp_applications@adm.leeds.ac.uk.
Postgraduate Research and Operations will not make any checks in November/December. The offer is conditional on completion of the master's, not the award.
If the school requires a certain mark in the master's degree then the start date must be after the result is known.