Highly Skilled Migrant Programme- Question about Degrees

Hi There-
  I am more than likely coming in under a work permit, but I am trying to get everything together and I most definitely qualify with enough points for the HSMP.  My question is, do I need to prove degree equivalence through NARIC?  I have a US Bachelor's Degree in Plastics Engineering and US Master's Degree in Biomedical Engineering. I have both degree certificates and transcripts.  I already have a letter stating that my Bachelor's degree was taught in English, but I am now after  having done a lot of research, I am worried that my Master's Degree is only equivalent to a UK Bachelor's (Hons) degree- thus, not making my bachelor's level course equivalent to being taught in English and giving me less points overall.  So do I need to show my NARIC equivalent in addition to my degree certificates, and if my Master's degree is only equivalent to a UK Bachelor's (Hons) degree do I need to get a letter from the University stating that this was also taught in English?
Thanks in advance for your help!
Laura

i applied for HSMP last march.

as far as I am aware- you do not need to get a letter stating that your Masters was taught in English. 

as for NARIC equivelency.  I used it- a quick and easy process.  Not too expensive either.  I sent in my transcripts & Naric letter. 

Thanks- I am just worried that my bachelor's and master's degrees won't be the same equivalency and thus, I won't get the higher number of points and won't get "proof" that I am proficient in English because only a Bachelor's degree taught in English is proof.  I guess I can get a NARIC equivalency done and see what happens from there.  I have just heard that usually a US Master's Degree is the same as a UK Bachelor (Hons) degree. 

I have a friend who is applying and he got a letter from his university certifying that his degrees were taught in English.  Don't know if he was required to do so but he definitely did it - he might have just been gilding the lily, who knows.

to get HSMP you must prove english proficiency- done either through TOFEL or through proof that your BA was taught in English.

i just reread the guidance notes-
http://www.bia.homeoffice.gov.uk/6353/11406/49552/hsmp1guidance?version=1

annex E (pages 39) states that you must prove that a degree equivlent to a UK BA was taught in English.  it goes on to say that degrees higher than a UK BA will not be considered.  this is because a UK BA is taught over a period of 3 years, and is enough time to prove english proficency. 

based on that, i would not bother getting a letter from master programme regarding english. 

annex E (pages 39) states that you must prove that a degree equivlent to a UK BA was taught in English.  it goes on to say that degrees higher than a UK BA will not be considered.  this is because a UK BA is taught over a period of 3 years, and is enough time to prove english proficency.   

Yes sorry, this was definitely from his undergrad school.

Okay good, I have proof that my Bachelor's degree was taught in English,I was just more worried that my BS wouldn't be considered equivalent to a UK BS degree. 

i've gotten conflicting reports as to whether the NARIC report is essential.  in the end, i used them to get a basic report showing what my US qualifications are equivelent to.  gave me piece of mind.

there's another board that seems to be pretty active HSMP wise- http://www.immigrationboards.com/

although i'll warn you, i find it slightly annoying place to be. 

if you're worried- you could always get a docunment check done by an immigration advisor- about £50ish.  will flag any major discripencies.

It's a very annoying place to be!!!!


But a call to NARIC will solve the problem.  They will tell you whether or not they have your course as one which is equivalent to a UK MA, and if you want it in writing then you'll have to pay.

Which uni did you go to?  I may be able to give you the answer anyway.

Vicky

Bachelor of Science in Plastics Engineering: University of Massachusetts Lowell (3.0 GPA)
Master of Science in Biomedical Engineering: Florida International University (3.7 GPA)

Thanks everyone for your help!!!!

You Bachelors is definitely fine.  I'd call NARIC to check the Masters, but I think you're good to go.

Vicky

Thanks!!!

i just included my transcripts and actual diplomas from Rutgers and Clemson University and I was fine.  It was a year and a half ago so I don't know if it was a factor but I remember when applying seeing there was a list of what i considered "pre-certified" american universities and since Rutgers and Clemson were both Land Grant State Uni's they were included.

It may have changed, but when i applied i didn't include anything other than the things above.

Best wishes!

Interesting... I will have to search more!

I just want to make sure that if I apply, I don't want it to get rejected! I have all the other evidence I need. 

Hi. I don't want to freak you out, but I was really just looking at this site tonight for the first time since before I moved here in January. Anyway, I couldn't help notice you had a dancing bear as your logo. I am a long time fan of the Dead. PLUS, I am an engineer working in Cambridge UK at a company making devices and packaging (who also happens to be from Florida!). So, I thought we had a few things in common, and I wanted to take the chance to say hi.

Anyway, by going to an OLD post you made, I hope the likeliness of someone seeing this posted is highly unlikely. Fingers xed. ;>)

I'd love to hear from you and what you think about living in the UK and esp. Scotland as that's an area I want to hike and sightsee.

Jim
mellman@ufl.edu