Student Visa for a, ahem, MATURE student

Hello, all!

I've been reading this forum almost fanatically for the past month...
A little background: I've finally decided to persistently pursue my longtime dream of living and working in London.  I'm applying for jobs online in hopes of getting a work permit--not much promise there.  I considered the Highly Skilled Migrant Programme--I don't quite qualify.  So I've been thinking ( a dangerous thing, I know...):  I can't spend the rest of my life as a retail sales manager.  I'm going to have to go back to school to re-train for an actual career one of these days...so why not do it in the UK?!  My question is:  is there an age limit for student visas?  I am (a very young) 37 with an existing BA in  Art History (it seemed like a good idea at the time!).  I want to go into social work because it's a career that I could easily do in the US or the UK (where I've heard it's a shortage industry and therefore more desireable if I plan to stay on after my degree and apply for a work permit).  Does anyone have any experience with this sort of scheme?  I know there are a lot of social workers on this board....Comments?  Suggestions? 

Thanks,
Marybeth

Marybeth,

I don't think there are age restrictions for a student visa. As long as you are enrolled in a uni program, you should qualify. The best thing would be to link with some uni admissions departments and resource with them.

Good luck on your social work aspirations. I'm a social worker job hunting in London now. I'm hoping to move over in Feb.

Here's a link to a thread for social workers: http://talk.uk-yankee.com/index.php?topic=10696.0

Paula

There have been several people who have gone back to school at a 'mature' age...not a problem.  Definitely look into it!

I was 34 when I got my student visa. There are no age restrictions. I think it's a great idea - I also did a pretty radical career shift and it wasn't easy going back to school to do something totally different from my BA, and it's taken me a long time (I had to do an Advanced Diploma first because my BA had nothing to do with my MSc, which I'm now doing part-time) but I'm glad I did. I was ready to give up at the end of last year because I was so sick of studying and missing working full-time, but I've decided to carry on....

It's also a bit weird being my age and back at uni. - out of my course of about 30 people I'm one of only about 4 women who are my age. But the "youngsters" (LOL) have been very cool and I've had a lot of fun with them and the other women closer to my age have been a good source of support.

Your choice of doing social work is a fantastic one. I'm doing psychology and in retrospect I sort of regret not doing social work 'cause the career opps over here are endless whereas I'm struggling big time to find work.....

Go for it!!!

Paula, Onetiger, Anne--

Thanks for the encouragement!  I'm so happy I found this site!  I have a BA in Art History and have only taken a handful of psych. and sociology courses, so I suppose I'll have I lot of catching up to do.  Right now I'm planning on a January start.  Can anyone suggest a good uni in or around London?  Also, what sort of time-frame am I looking at?  Since I have about 5 months, when should I start the application, loan, and visa process?  You can tell it's been 12 years since I've dealt with college issues, can't you?!
 

Marybeth

Marybeth,

I was surfing one day and ran across London Metropolitan University. They have a SW program and will send you a catalogue. Don't know if it's a GOOD program, but you might check with the General Social Care Council (gscc) or British Association of Social Workers (basw) for recommendations.

Good luck,
Paula

Can anyone suggest a good uni in or around London?

Be careful of universities that have recently converted from being polytech. - they don't have the reputation in place that you might really want when you start sending out your resume with your new qualifications. I would suggest sticking to schools within the University of London framework if at all possible - King's College, Royal Holloway, etc. Or University College London.... I don't know about social work courses, but I'm sure if you start poking around the sites of these sorts of universities you'll be able to track down the appropriate courses.... I'm at the Institute of Education/Univ. of London but they don't have social work programmes.

Also, what sort of time-frame am I looking at?  Since I have about 5 months, when should I start the application, loan, and visa process? 

You can't start the visa process until you're accepted to a uni. So start sending away for prospectus' immediately and get the application process started as soon as you choose a couple of courses. I would do that right now if I were you.... Also, once you've got your list of schools you should start the loan process. That's a whole other ball of wax and there are threads on this site concerning that. But you'll need to know where you're applying in order to complete your FAFSA and bear in mind that not all schools are approved for US federal aid - but the ones with the best reps seem to be.

Good luck and have fun - it's exciting to get the ball rolling!!!

I'm 55 and applying for a student visa.  I'll let you know on August 17 if I get it.

I considered the SW route, but at some schools, you need to apply as early as a year ahead.  Check the SW accreditting agency for schools whose courses they recognize.   Then check the application rules for the school.

Good luck!

I am also going to apply for a student visa. You could say I was..mature..lol  Just wondering can I use the time I spend at the university on a student visa toward the time requirements for British citizenship? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Frank

I am also going to apply for a student visa. You could say I was..mature..lol  Just wondering can I use the time I spend at the university on a student visa toward the time requirements for British citizenship? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Frank

Hi Frank. The answer is yes. Yay! I was here for a year on a student visa and then got married and switched to Further Leave To Remain which I've had for almost a year. So in one more year I'll apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain which notches up three years. Once I've received ILR, I'll apply for citizenship - that's the only thing - you have to have ILR before citizenship.

Annie thats excellent news!  I am hoping that after graduation from school in the UK I can work and after a year or so obtain an ILR?  Then after another year apply for UK citizenship.  Do you know anyone who has done this before?

Frank

Frank, the difference between your situation and AnneR's is that she got married to a UK citizen, which permitted her to switch to a settlement visa.  The student visa is not a settlement visa so will not qualify you for FLR or ILR.  If you are able to find employment with a UK company after you graduate, and if that company sponsors your work permit for five years, only then will you be able to apply for ILR.