UK Visa and Immigration Guidelines Student and Child Student Visas

Padworth College is a Student and Child Student Sponsor, licensed by UK Visas & Immigration (UKVI) to issue Student and Child Student visas.

From 5 October 2020, the Student route will replace the Tier 4 route.

The Student route, which falls under the UK’s new points-based immigration system, improves on the previous Tier 4 route making for a more streamlined experience for both sponsoring institutions and students.

Visas that have been issued through the Tier 4 route are still valid and those eligible will still be able to apply for the Graduate Route when it opens in summer 2021.

The Graduate Route will be available to international students who have completed a degree at undergraduate level or above at a Higher Education Provider with a track record of compliance and who have a valid Student (or Tier 4) visa at the time of application.

More information about the UK’s new points-based immigration system can be found here.  Further guidance for EU, EEA and Swiss students, who from 1 January will need to comply with the new system can be found here.

EU, EEA and Swiss citizens resident in the UK before 31 December 2020 should apply to the EU settlement scheme.

The Child Student route is for students aged 4-17.  Child Students may only be educated at independent schools.  The Student route is for students aged 16 or over.

Students aged 16 or 17 may apply in the following categories:

• Those who wish to study RQF Level 2 courses (for example, I/GCSEs) may only apply as a Child Student;
• Those who wish to study a course at RQF Level 3 or above, other than a foundation course, may apply for a visa under either the Student route or the Child Student route;
• Those who wish to study a foundation course (for example, the NCUK International Foundation Year programme) may only apply on the Student route; and
• Those who wish to study English as a foreign language may only apply on the Student route, unless the course is a pre-sessional language course to be taken before their main course of study at an independent school.

Applicants who want to study at the College can apply for a Child Student visa if they are aged between 4 and 17 years.  Applicants who want to study the NCUK International Foundation Year programme or the Business Foundation Access course at the College can apply for a Student visa if they are aged 16 or over.  In both cases, applicants must:

• Have a place on a course at Padworth;
• Have the consent of their parent or guardian;
• Have enough money to cover their course fees and living costs;
• Meet the eligibility requirements, namely, an unconditional offer of a place on a course with Padworth; and
• Enough money to support themselves and pay for their course.

If you require a visa to study at the College, please contact Clare McNally, Registrar at admissions@padworth.com for further information.