Tier 1 visa, all US taught masters degrees are now 0 points on PB calculator

Hello,

This thread seems relevant to my situation. 

I too have a Master of Science(non-thesis option) in IT/Computer Science(2 years) and a Bachelor of Engineering(4 years) in the same field.

Using the calculator, if I select "Taught" masters, I get 0 points, but if I select "Taught with further specialization", then 35 points, which allows me to make the 75-point minimum. 

I'd be happy if someone can shed some light as to what's the difference between a "taught" vs "taught with specialization" and if my MS degree is equivalent to UK masters.

I'm planning to get a statement of comparability from UK Naric and pay them the $70 rather than risk the bigger amount with the UKBA.  Has anyone tried getting a response from Naric for a similar situation? How does Naric differentiate between the above two options?

I'm not sure to fax or send my snail mail the copies of transcripts and degree certificates.  Will Naric confirm that the documents were received/are missing?

Also, a couple of days there was a news item that there were technical issues with
the points calculator [http://www.bia.homeoffice.gov.uk/workingintheuk/] ( can't find it now)   Will there will be a change in the points system for the taught Masters?

Thanks in advance!

If your undergrad degree and your masters are in the same field you should get 75 points.

Vicky

Thanks for the quick reply Vicky! 

1) Do you suggest I still get the Naric letter?  It can't hurt, can it?

2) "If your undergrad degree and your masters are in the same field you should get 75 points."
Do you have a source on the UKBA/Naric website that says this? I couldn't find anything...
Do they actually look at the transcripts/courses to determine if the field is the same or will they take my word for it?


Cheers!

Of course they won't take your word.  But if on certificate says 'BA Engineering' and the other says 'MA Engineering' then it is pretty obvious.

"Taught with further specialization" means that the Masters is taught but has a further specialisation from the BA.

It's up to you whether or not you get the letter. 

Vicky

Actually, it says BE Computer Engineering(4 years) and MS Computer Science(2 years). But the transcripts prove that the courses are the same, just that the MS has more depth. The degrees are from different countries!

I am not sure if that would make a difference.  Is the MS from the US?


Vicky

Yes, the MS is from the US

I'm gonna go ahead with the Naric service.  When done about a month from now, I will post the response!

Cheers!

Good luck! My experience of UK NARIC is that it's just another agency looking to get money for nothing.

I felt the same way.

However, if the letter from NARIC says that my qualifications aren't equivalent to a UK Master's, then I would not be risking the 700 pounds.   If UK NARIC says that my qualifications are equivalent, then as mentioned in a previous post the case workers aren't allowed to ignore the letter from UK NARIC, so that should at least get me the 35 points for the MS degree. (They would have to find another reason to reject the application).

I'd be amazed if an application is rejected(MS = 0 points) by the UKBA, in spite of a letter from the UK NARIC.

Cheers! 

Oh, it's a wise move to at least see if you can get something that will help. £40 to ensure you don't waste £700 is money well spent.

I just hope that they actually supply a letter that says what you need, instead of some generic statement that is neither "yes" or "no".

I'd do it the other way.  I'd NOT ask, then if you are refused because of NARIC's assessment you have grounds of appeal/administrative review, because clearly you do have a degree with further specialisation.  NARIC don't make the rules, after all.

I don't buy that the database is 'just a guideline'.  That might be what UKBA tell people, but a judge would laugh that out of court.  The rules are paramount, and the rules state that your qualifications amount to a UK Masters.

Vicky

wybesse,

I hope so too.  I'm gonna try to get a sample of what a NARIC statement of comparability looks like. Thanks!


VictoriaS,

"That might be what UKBA tell people, but a judge would laugh that out of court. "

Assume that the application gets denied and so does the administrative appeal.  How does a judge get involved in all this, especially when I will be self-applying from outside the EU(not thru an agency)? Do I then contact some lawyer?

Cheers!

Ah, in which case you have no right of appeal, but would go for administrative review.  And contacting a solicitor or OISC advisor such as myself would be the best idea at this point.

Vicky

wybesse,

Maybe you've seen it, a sample letter from the UK NARIC is at
http://www.naric.org.uk/documents/sample%20certificates/Comparability%20Letter.pdf [nofollow]

They clearly state what level an international qualification equates to a UK degree. 

Note that a 'Letter of comparability' is different from a 'Certificate of Comparability' which is an additional ~$40

Further, they will charge ~$96 to courier the letter via DHL.

In pounds, 40 for the letter + 60 for the courier service (+ an additional 23.5 for a "Certificate")

Adds up pretty quickly...



Vicky,

And how would contacting an OISC advisor help? Would this matter have to be referred to a court?   I'm sorry, but I don't understand how the UK system works. 


Cheers! 

wybesse,

Maybe you've seen it, a sample letter from the UK NARIC is at
http://www.naric.org.uk/documents/sample%20certificates/Comparability%20Letter.pdf

They clearly state what level an international qualification equates to a UK degree. 

Yes, I pointed that sample out to them when they said they could not provide me with a statement that carried that level of detail. They had no reply. 

Note that a 'Letter of comparability' is different from a 'Certificate of Comparability' which is an additional ~$40

What's interesting is that while that certificate is mentioned in that sample letter, and in the letter I received, it's not listed as a service in their schedule of fees.

http://www.naric.org.uk/index.asp?page=22

It's like a used car dealer bargaining with you all the way through, then after you've paid for the car adding "Oh, and if you want *tires* as well..."

And you have to love the weasel wording at the end of the letter, "The Service provided by UK NARIC, although based on informed opinion, should be treated only as guidance,"

IOW, "you've paid a pile of money for an informed guess--don't expect it to actually be of any value". The more I see about this organisation, the more it bothers me that the UK government treats it as a reputable professional service.