T4 and T5 provisions for Americans

Over the next several months, there will be some new possibilities for Americans to spend some time in the UK under the PBS.  In T4 this would include Degrees Abroad, and in T5 it would include interns.  T5 already has the former BUNAC and Government Authorized Exchange programmes, both of which benefit Americans.

These provisions were negotiated by the US Dept of State, and they are very pleased with the results.  I hope everyone shares this pleasure when all the bits and bobs are in place and the announcements are made.

To head off any enquiries as we approach the summer holidays, the US Dept of State is *NOT* going to pursue bringing the US into the Youth Mobility Scheme.  The onus is on the State Dept to approach the UK and show a reciprocal arrangement is in place for young Brits, and the Americans are not going to do that.   Just like transferring an American driver's license to a British one, the Brits are open to the idea, but it's the Americans who don't want it. 

So no complaining   

Thanks for the information!  I'm really curious to see what they've come up with.

I am considering getting a master's in the UK (to start this fall), so I hope whatever the Tier 4 plans are, they are as straightforward as they are now.

I am also wondering how different the Tier 5 internship program will be to BUNAC.  To me the main negatives were that you had to find the internship before even applying for the program (seems like most companies wouldn't bother) and that it only lasts for 6 months.  I'm interested to see if the new program will inlcude differences in either of these aspects.