Changes to Tier 1 PBS April onwards

And ergo no access to social benefits and have the dagger over your head the anything that makes you not of "good character" will get you the boot...  I wonder if this no man's land is where the non-Citizen long term residents will end up under the new regime.

I think I was aware of the limitations of PSW, but really didn't connect it to the bigger picture.  UKBA simply don't want people in that category and they clearly make it as temporary as possible.  Again, not very much a presumption of hospitality, it seems to be the bare minimum to allow UK business not to get cheesed off in being able to get a hold of foreign student talent produced by UK Universities.  The challenge is going to be under the new Tier 1 General A LOT of people won't be able to afford to pay for a Masters and they won't be able to bridge the gap with PSW.  It will severely limit the ability of the UK to attract fresh young talent.

Hello,

I was wondering if anyone happened to know when the new guidance notes and points system (ie exactly how many points you get for which salary brackets and a Masters degree etc) will be available?? Or if it is available, where I'd be able to find it?? I keep checking the UKBA website without much luck .  Thanks!!

I think you can sign up for news updates on the UKBA website, and theoritically they will email you when they put new stuff up. You might have to endure Daily Mail style journalistic jargon, but they do tend to send out frequent updates at least.

Would anyone happen to know if the UKBA (or UK NARIC) considers the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) certification as a Masters degree equivalent?

If you look on the points calculator it will tell you.

Vicky

If you look on the points calculator it will tell you.

Vicky

I can't seem to locate it. The thing is, the CFA is not a degree you earn from any state or university in the USA, it's a professional certificate, like a CPA. On the points calculator, when you select country of study (USA), it immediately asks you to select a state, and then lists each school in that state.

Then you probably have to pay a fee to NARIC to get confirmation of whether or not it is equivalent.

Vicky

Would anyone happen to know if the UKBA (or UK NARIC) considers the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) certification as a Masters degree equivalent?

I really don't think the CFA charter can be thought of as a master's degree equivalent.  As you said, it's a professional certification, not a degree program.  Considering it's a self-study program and it's 3 exams and qualifying work experience, I wouldn't think of it as a master's degree.  You can also take it without a bachelor's degree.

The CFA may be on there, don't have time to look right now, but I know that Member > Society of Acturies is on there. That is worth 35.

The CFA may be on there, don't have time to look right now, but I know that Member > Society of Acturies is on there. That is worth 35.

That's pretty good.  Now of course you'll get all the actuaries and their stupid 'that's because getting the FIA/actuarial designation is a lot harder than getting the CFA.' 

I really don't think the CFA charter can be thought of as a master's degree equivalent.  As you said, it's a professional certification, not a degree program.  Considering it's a self-study program and it's 3 exams and qualifying work experience, I wouldn't think of it as a master's degree.  You can also take it without a bachelor's degree.

I'd say it's pretty close to a masters. It takes 3 years of your life (2.5 minimum) to get a CFA, and the amount of material covered is on par with your average MBA. Not to make this an argument on whether or not the CFA is worthy of master's status, the only reason I ask is that universities in the USA (and most employers) will usually count the CFA as a masters equivalent when hiring academics or employees. I'm just curious if the UKBA will do the same.

I'd say it's pretty close to a masters. It takes 3 years of your life (2.5 minimum) to get a CFA, and the amount of material covered is on par with your average MBA. Not to make this an argument on whether or not the CFA is worthy of master's status, the only reason I ask is that universities in the USA (and most employers) will usually count the CFA as a masters equivalent when hiring academics or employees. I'm just curious if the UKBA will do the same.

Ooh, I don't really agree.  You can only do the exams in 3 years, true, but the actual studying/prep doesn't take 3 full years.  I think I covered a lot more material in my master's degree than I did for the CFA exam.  And I don't know if I'd say most universities/employers would consider them equivalent.  Otherwise why put yourself through the pain of both?  Plus you cover different things in the CFA program than you do in a typical master's degree/MBA program.  Unless your program specifically focuses on the CFA material, like a few of them do now.

hi everyone,

I was wondering if anyone could help me with this please.

I applied for my tier 1 general on 23-03-2009 and it was received in their office on 24-03-2009.

I paid by cheque but forgot to write my name and dob on the back of the cheque - ( the details on the front are all correct and the details are also on the application0

could this be a problem?

If you paid by cheque, presumably you made an in-country application? Cheques aren't accepted at any of the US posts.

yes.. its an in country application ...
 the bank statements thet i have submitted are also for the same bank account that the cheque is drawn from
I spoke to Louise in the call centre who advised that my application should be ok and the only reason they ask for the name and dob on the cheque is in case the cheque gets misplaced but looking at so many contradicting statements from the ppl in the home office call centre I am still worried!