Owner:
Version
Effective date:
Date of review:
International Admissions Manager
2.0
October 2014
October 2015
This document is part of a revised series of Academic Regulations, Policies and
Procedures which govern the University’s academic provision. Each document has a
unique document number to indicate which section of the series it belongs to.
3S
International Application Assessment: Procedure
1.
SCOPE AND PURPOSE
1.1
These procedures are for the International Admissions Team (IAT) and others
dealing with overseas and EU applicants and offer holders. This specifically includes
applicants and offer holders who require a TIER 4 visa.
1.2
This document provides an overview of how undergraduate and postgraduate
international applications are assessed by IAT in accordance with sponsor guidelines
as published by the Home Office and in accordance with BU admissions policies and
procedures.
2.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
2.1
International Admissions Administrators to apply this policy to all applicants and offer
holders.
2.2
Academic staff for approval.
3.
LINKS TO OTHER BU DOCUMENTS
3.1
Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) completion guidance v06April2012
“Non Bulk Data Transfer CAS”. A copy of the document can be found in
I:\M&C\Collaborative\International Marketing and Student Recruitment\Procedures\
TIER4\IAT CAS Procedures 06April2012 Non-BDT
3.2
Academic Regulations, Policies and Procedures:









3B Admissions (Taught Programmes): Policy and Procedure
3C Corporate Recruitment: Procedure
3D Fraudulent Application: Procedure
3E Criminal Convictions: Procedure
3F Proof of Qualification and Identification: Procedure
3G Student Name: Policy and Procedure
3H Standards of English for International Students and English Language
Qualifications
3J Academic Progression (International Admissions): Procedure
3L Fees status: Guidelines
All documents listed in 3.2 can be found in
https://staffintranet.bournemouth.ac.uk/aboutbu/policiesprocedures/academicregulati
onspoliciesprocedures1213/
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3.3
Bournemouth University International Qualifications (BUIQ) can be found in:
I:\M&C\Collaborative\International Marketing and Student Recruitment\Overseas
Qualifications Database
4.
DEFINITIONS
UKVI: United Kingdom Visas and Immigration.
TIER 4: Level of visa which permits an overseas (non EU) student to study in the UK.
CAS: Confirmation of Acceptance of Studies - An electronic number which is issued
by the institution when they agree to sponsor an overseas student. The student must
state this number in their TIER 4 visa application.
Sponsor: The institution where the student will study (Bournemouth University). The
Home Office states that an institution must have a valid license to sponsor
international students
UK NARIC: National Recognition Information Centre for the UK - The UK’s National
Agency responsible for providing information and opinion on vocational, academic
and professional qualifications from across the world.
UKCISA: UK Council for International Student Affairs
SELT: Secure English Language Test - A list of English language qualifications
which have been accepted by the Home Office as sufficient evidence of English
language ability.
BUIQ: Bournemouth University International Qualifications Database.
SITS: Paperless admissions portal to fully replace OLA and unit-e by September
2015. All applications for September 2015 are processed in SITS starting from 22
October 2014 for IAT.
5.
PROCEDURE
5.1
Receipt of application
IAT receives applications from overseas students in a number of ways:
-
Direct paper application from UG and PG applicants
UCAS application from UG applicants
On line application from PG applicants
IAT will only accept applications via international representatives where a BU
Representation of Agreement is in place.
Please note, where a direct paper application is received from an undergraduate
applicant, the offer letter will state that the applicant must make an application via
UCAS. Therefore, all undergraduate applications are ultimately processed via UCAS.
5.2
Receipt of personal information
-
All contact details for the applicant (and representative if applicable) are clearly
recorded in SITS.
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-
-
5.3
IAT ensures that all TIER 4 students hold a valid passport before issuing a CAS.
A copy of the passport must have been uploaded onto the applicant’s record in
SITS before issuing a CAS. The passport will have been uploaded by the
applicant or his/her representative through the applicant portal.
IAT will also assess the 5 year study limit for international applicants and
requests confirmation from the applicant whether or not the placement option
(where applicable) will be taken up prior to issuing the CAS
IAT will only finalise an application once confirmation of a completed personal
declaration statement has been received as part of the application (either via
online application or on the paper application form).
Assessing previous qualifications
IAT will assess international qualifications as follows:
-
-
-
-
If the qualification is not issued in English, an official translation must be
submitted in addition to a copy of the original qualification. The translation should
include the official translator’s details and signature.
Check the level of the qualification is equivalent to the required UK qualification
as stated on UK NARIC. In some cases, further research on the educational
system and grading structure is required. This research may be gathered from
UK NARIC, British Council, relevant Ministry of Education and BU market
intelligence. Research on qualification equivalences is compiled and held on
BUIQ.
Check the awarding institution is a recognised institution which has the relevant
awarding authority, as stated on UK NARIC. In the event UK NARIC is unable to
provide information on the status of an overseas institution, further research will
be gathered from the sources listed above and the overseas institution will be
contacted directly for further information.
Check the qualification is considered as a bona fide document and not a forgery.
Where there are concerns about the authenticity of a document, UK NARIC will
be consulted. If UK NARIC is unable to confirm the document is genuine, IAT will
follow 3D Fraudulent Application procedure.
Where an applicant holds borderline qualifications, IAT will refer to the relevant
School academics for a final decision on whether the applicant can be accepted.
5.4
Assessing English language qualification
IAT will require evidence of a valid English language qualification as outlined in policy
3H Standards of English for International Students.
English language qualifications will be verified as follows:
-
Qualification verification for SELTs (where available)
Process 5.3 as outlined above for selected BU assessed English language
qualifications (as listed in policy 3H)
If an administrator within other departments receives a SELT certificate which
requires verification and the administrator is unable to access the verification
services, IAT should be contacted and do the verification process.
In the event that an online verification service is not available, the awarding body will
be contacted for further guidance on how to verify the qualification.
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5.5
Assessing Previous Study in the UK
Applicants are required to declare all previous study in the UK as part of their
application. IAT will assess the length of time a TIER 4 applicant has already spent
in the UK to ensure that the new duration of study will not extend beyond the total
length of stay they are entitled to, as defined by the current Home Office regulation.
Where there is concern over the length of previous study, IAT will ask the applicant to
submit copies of previous visas to confirm the total duration of study in the UK to
date. Copies of previous visas will uploaded on the applicant’s record in SITS.
To calculate the 5 year study cap for immigration purposes, please refer to the
UKCISA guidelines:
http://www.ukcisa.org.uk/International-Students/Immigration-/Making-a-Tier-4-Generalapplication-in-the-UK/Time-limit-cap-on-study/
5.6
References
In support of an application, an applicant has to submit a minimum of one reference
for undergraduate and postgraduate applications. This reference should be
academic. The reference in support of a postgraduate application is only considered
acceptable if it is comprehensive enough to satisfy the administrator or programme
leaders’ expectations. If a reference does not provide sufficient information, the
administrator shall request an additional academic or professional reference from the
applicant. Where a postgraduate applicant is currently or has recently (within 2 years
from the date of application) been studying, the reference must be academic. Where
an applicant is currently working and has completed his studies more than 2 years
prior to the application, the reference can be professional.
References in support of an undergraduate application shall be academic but may be
replaced by an adequate professional reference if the applicant has completed his
latest academic qualification longer than 2 years prior to the application. References
should be presented as follows:
-
-
In English or with an official translation into English
On letter headed paper
Signed and dated by the referee
The reference should not be older than two years
The referee must be or must have been the tutor or supervisor of the applicant
within the past two years, hence must have been in the position to experience
and be able to comment on the applicants academic ability
The referee’s contact details must be his/her professionals
Where there is concern regarding the authenticity of a reference, IAT will contact the
referee and/or institution directly for further confirmation.
References submitted via UCAS and directly via BU Online Application are exempt
from the above presentation requirements.
5.7
Assessing intent to study
BU is required to take reasonable steps to ensure that applicants have a genuine
intent to study. IAT (and School academics where applicable) will assess intent to
study by examining some or all of the following (depending on course requirements):
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Personal statement
Relevance of professional background
Academic Progression (where applicable)
Portfolio
Interview
Applicants are expected to convey their interest and commitment to the chosen
programme of study and evidence how the programme of study will help them to
achieve future professional and/or academic goals.
5.8
Assessing fee status
As owner of the Fee status assessment process at BU, IAT will assess an applicant’s
fee status in accordance with document 3L - Fees status: Guidelines and provide
advice to colleagues in other departments within BU. If a fee status question cannot
be resolved within IAT, the case shall be forwarded to ISST for final decision making.
5.9
Assessing Academic Progression
If a TIER 4 student has previously studied in the UK, IAT will assess whether the new
programme of study shows evidence of academic progression or not. In order to do
this, IAT will ask applicants to confirm the following:


Level of the course the previous CAS was issued for
Level of the previous qualification gained (a copy of the previous qualification
must also be provided)
In the event that the chosen programme of study does not clearly show academic
progression, IAT will follow procedure 3J Academic Progression (International
Admissions).
5.10
Financial capability
IAT will remind all TIER 4 applicants of the requirement to possess available funds
for tuition, accommodation and living expenses (as outlined by the Home Office). IAT
will send the following documents to applicants at the time of CAS issuance:
1. Tier 4 (General) Student Visa “How much money do I need?” (Appendix 1)
2. Tier 4 (General) Student Visa “Is my bank statement acceptable” (Appendix 2)
All Tier 4 postgraduate applicants will also be required to pay a deposit of £2,000.00
to secure their place on the course, subject to fulfilment of conditions and clearance
checks of their offer.
IAT will only issue a CAS once the above assessments have taken place and:
-
The applicant has selected Bournemouth University as their Firm choice (must be
via UCAS for all undergraduate applicants);
A deposit of £2000.00 has been received for postgraduate TIER 4 applicants;
There is no more than 3 months before the start of the course.
REFERENCES AND FURTHER INFORMATION
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Home Office TIER 4 of the Points Based System- Guidance for Sponsors (latest version at
time of writing is 09/07/12). A copy of the document can be found in
I:\M&C\Collaborative\International Marketing & Student Recruitment\Procedures\TIER 4
Home Office TIER 4 of the Points Based System- Guidance for Students (latest version at
the time of writing is 09/2012). A copy of the document can be found in
I:\M&C\Collaborative\International Marketing & Student Recruitment\Procedures\TIER 4
APPENDICES
Appendix 1: Tier 4 (General) Student Visa “How much money do I need?”
Appendix 2: Tier 4 (General) Student Visa “Is my bank statement acceptable”
Appendix 1
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Appendix 2:
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