Tier 4 to Tier 1...Anybody have this down?

Wow...so I got into UCL and University of Nottingham and my dogs rabies titre came back positive! Yeah!   So now I'm researching trying to decide what to do...First of all I am not quite sure which course I should undertake and the UCL 4 week decision deadline is looming...basically need to decide by the end of next week. Sorry just venting.  

Anyways, so I'm going through and researching the immigration literature making sure that I will be able to do what I want to do and can save enough money to make it happen. Basically, I would like to live and work in England after my studies. In fact, I also would like to work my max 20 hours during term as well and really need to get with it and start contacting firms to see if they'll hire me part time. Sorry, off the point again. So I have a little bit of concern with switching from a Tier 4 Student Visa to a Tier 1 Post Study Visa...Does anyone have any personal experience with this? The way I understand it is that  you will need to be in the UK on a tier 4, have your original certificate award, a letter from uni saying you've completed, and 800 quid in the bank for 90 consecutive days prior to application. As well as the 550 quid application fee. The thing that I'm kind of wondering about is whether or not I will receive my degree award within the time that I will still be in UK. I mean I guess I will still have my leave for 2-4 months after course ends in Sept 2011, but how long does it take them to review your thesis and process the paperwork? I guess you can apply from out of the country as well, but I would really like to stay as I'm assuming I will have been lucky enough to find work by then. so confused. need to read more...

I will be applying for Tier 1 PSW in the fall, so I'm not really of any help at the moment.  However, I think there are a couple of posters who have recently gone this route so hopefully they will be along to help you. 

I think the length of time it takes to mark your thesis/dissertation depends on the people who are marking it.  My dissertation is due in August and my department usually has all the results determined by October.  However, I plan on telling them that I will be applying for a new visa and having my results sooner rather than later will be a big help (sometimes they get a little busy and things take longer than planned).

You should be sure to keep in mind that September 2011 is a lot of time for things to change in terms of immigration.  Just last week someone mentioned that Tier 1 PSW could potentially be on the chopping block depending on how the elections go, so be sure to keep an eye on everything throughout the duration of your course.

Good luck with everything! 

Off topic, but congrats!  So long as US Student loans come through, I'll be studying at the Uni of Notts in the fall  

I haven't worried too much about the Tier 1 post study work visa.  Since there have been so many changes with visas in general, by the time I'd be able to apply (Sept. 2011) I figure they will have changed the terms of the T1 Post-Study visa as well. 

I'm sure it will all work out in the end though, but like NoseOverTail has said, I'll just be keeping an eye on everything in the meantime...

Thanks for the comments and congrats! I hear you on the US student loans...same with me... and I just realized last week that when you fill out the FAFSA they do not send your SAR directly to the schools you specify...and that normally the schools require you to post the hard copy to them. A hard copy which takes 1 month to receive from the government and is a bit of a hassle to get because they keep on saying that you can access it online. "Yes I know that, I have downloaded it but need the full copy!"  Anyways, what will you be studying at Uni of Notts?

I am really quite concerned about this whole immigration thing. I have been watching the British election debates a lil, reading a few snippets here and there, and asking my British friends their thoughts. Of course, no one, not even the experts really know who will get elected until next week. but I've heard that Cameron is in the lead. And if you consider Brown's mess-up and the and the fact that the Labour party has had its go for the past 13 years, I imagine its about time that there will be a change. I've heard that the Conservatives are trying to be perceived as more liberal in their views, but that probably means during the elections, not after they win the thing.  anyways that said, i don't have a good feeling about this immigration thing. Although, I keep thinking about it and wondering if they would really get rid of PWS, one of the things that is seen as a benefit of attending a UK uni. I mean I have read articles about how the UK higher institutions are lacking funds and depending on American "cash cows" to pay higher tuition rates to help them out. Why would they scare us away?!  Any thoughts...I don't really know that much about politics so I might be off, and I suppose its pretty useless to sit around pondering what will happen in the future.

Thanks for the comments and congrats! I hear you on the US student loans...same with me... and I just realized last week that when you fill out the FAFSA they do not send your SAR directly to the schools you specify...and that normally the schools require you to post the hard copy to them. A hard copy which takes 1 month to receive from the government and is a bit of a hassle to get because they keep on saying that you can access it online. "Yes I know that, I have downloaded it but need the full copy!"  Anyways, what will you be studying at Uni of Notts?

The woman I spoke to at Nottingham (Pam Beth/Rosemary Gibson was out) said she only needed the first page, and my social security number.  I'm not sure about UCL.   Here's part of the email:

While we are waiting for this information I can download your Student Aid Report. The system is not quite the same as in the States, as we are a 'foreign school' we don't receive information automatically from FAFSA telling us that you have completed your application. In order for me to download your SAR I need you full SSN, you can either email this to me or send me the first page of your SAR along with the first 5 digits of your number.
 

As far as politics are concerned--I have no idea what everything will mean for me as a student!  But, if the PSW doesn't work out, I'll probably end up married to my db by then anyway...

I've posted earlier about my experience getting the PSW visa: http://talk.uk-yankee.com/index.php?topic=61223.0. If you do a quick search some other recent posts will also come up. I wouldn't worry to much about the results, you should get them officially in December and your visa should be up at the end of January. As long as you apply and have the application in the post before your visa expires you'll be fine.

I think you should plan on not being able to find a part time job or internship. A lot of these are already snatched up by Brits months in advance. Many people I knew who had jobs were in them in undergrad and kept them through grad school. Others managed to find some in the spring after months of looking. Good luck in your search, but try not to get your hopes up.

Dammit...David Cameron got in...and as part of the new governments program: "The Lib Dems have agreed to Tory proposals for a cap on non-EU migration"
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/mobile/uk_news/politics/election_2010/8675265.stm

great...don't know what that means for Tier 1 visas but can't be good...