Work Visa to Student Visa

just doing all my homework.  i've been in the UK since sept 03 on a work permit.  if i decide (and get into) a school for sept 08, is it possible to switch from a work permit FLR to a student visa FLR in the country?  or do i need to leave and reapply?

also, i was planning on getting my ILR in Sept 07.  but now with the switch from a 4 or 5 year requirement, i may just miss out on the required 5 years for the ILR.  if i switch to a student visa, does my ILR "clock" reset?  ie- if i switch to a student ILR in sept 08 when's the earliest i could get my ILR.  confused yet? b/c i am.

To be honest, the chances are that they will change the switching rules again by 2008, but at the moment it is permitted for non-visa nationals.

If you switch to a student visa your clock does reset I'm afraid. But if you have been here since september 2003, you can apply for ILR in September 2008, and study when on that.

Victoria

just to clarify- i'm a "non-visa national"

why do i even bother looking into things so far in advance.  i try and stop myself but my over organized, retentive side takes over.  the problem is that by my calculations, i'll be eligable for ILR on 10-Sep-08.  No idea when schools start here, but may be a few days b/f this. 

can i apply for the ILR a month in advance in person- say 10-Aug-08 and skip the whole change to student visa, clock resetting stuff. 

just to clarify- i'm a "non-visa national"

Actually, Americans are 'designated nationals', a third category.  But for switching purposes, you are a non-visa national.

Well, the big advantage to getting ILR is that you'd be immediately eligible for home fees...but for the 2008-2009 academic year you'd have to get your ILR before (or on) September 1st (that's the cut-off date for determining fee status for the autumn term.)  School will probably start at the end of September.