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

I entered mine, got 35 points for taught masters with further specialization, and 0 points for plain vanilla taught masters. 

Are Tier 1 applicants required to have a NARIC assessment before they apply?  I suspect that most people are going to think that their masters is a research one if it had a thesis requirement.  There are very few (if any, I've never heard of one) masters degree programs in the US that are pure research, with no taught component, or even mostly research.  At most it's probably 50/50.   

I read this thread and fired up the calculator to see what was going on.  I put in my stuff from GW and got 35 points (MBA), then I tried to put in my stuff from Heidelberg and Cambridge and I got 0.  Huh?  What's that about?  Weird.  I think it might be because I answered the first questions as American and that got it confused about what schools were available.

Was the stuff from the British schools entered at master's level? I tried entering fake info for a Cambridge master's and it came up with 35 points.

Historyenne, according to the Qualifications Page on UKBA, it looks like the points-based calculator is meant to play the role of a NARIC assessment. But I don't know how they'll keep people from wrongly assuming they did what NARIC considers a "research master's".

This is mind boggling  as historyenne said, most of the masters programs in US are a combo of research and course work...so how are they judging that. infact from this change now, I would safely assume that atleast 70% of US masters are not eligible for the tier1 visa any more..

greytulip, there maybe teething problems on the new calculator, but as far as the changes and petitioning Home Office, I doubt it will have any good.  Right now, being tough on immigration, especially discretionary economic immigration isn't going to lose anybody their jobs right now in the current economic climate.  The only thing that will likely work is to see what the fallout is and continue to point out to the government that they are failing to attract and retain the right type of talent in the UK.

Also, if you have paid and submitted your biometrics prior to 31st March you should be considered under the old rules.

Historyenne, according to the Qualifications Page on UKBA, it looks like the points-based calculator is meant to play the role of a NARIC assessment. But I don't know how they'll keep people from wrongly assuming they did what NARIC considers a "research master's".

Exactly.  That's why I was wondering if applicants would be required to back up their points claim with a real NARIC assessment.  If not, what's to stop people from just saying their masters is a research one?   

Wow since I'm not planning on even applying for a visa for at least until the end of this year, I better wait until then to figure out which one is the best one to get lol.

Wow since I'm not planning on even applying for a visa for at least until the end of this year, I better wait until then to figure out which one is the best one to get lol.

This thread is only actually relevant to people applying for the Tier 1 work-based visa (highly skilled workers), which is much more difficult to get than a family-based visa (fiance/spousal visas), so if you are planning to go for a fiance or a spousal visa in the future, you won't have to worry about this 'minimum of a masters degree' requirement .

This thread is only actually relevant to people applying for the Tier 1 work-based visa (highly skilled workers), which is much more difficult to get than a family-based visa (fiance/spousal visas), so if you are planning to go for a fiance or a spousal visa in the future, you won't have to worry about this 'minimum of a masters degree' requirement .

Hehe yeah I just meant because they seem to change the rules so often. I wouldn't want to believe all I had to do was -blank- and then down the road before I actually applied they changed it to -blank- and I would have to rethink my options- I mean if they somehow changed the fiance visa with some further kind of stipulation.

Exactly.  That's why I was wondering if applicants would be required to back up their points claim with a real NARIC assessment.  If not, what's to stop people from just saying their masters is a research one?   

You have to appreciate that the Home Office database the same as the NARIC assessment.  NARIC compiled that database.  If you think it is wrong it is NARIC who you have to convince, not the Home Office.

If you have a qualification which is not on the database, then it is worth applying directly to NARIC for a certificate.  I think they charge about £20.  And if you just 'say' that the qualification is research when it isn't, the Home Office will just look on the database and see that NARIC think otherwise and refuse you.

Vicky

And if you just 'say' that the qualification is research when it isn't, the Home Office will just look on the database and see that NARIC think otherwise and refuse you.

I'm not saying that people will lie, I'm saying that they will genuinely believe that they have a research masters when actually according to NARIC they have a taught masters.  On the points calculator, you choose the one you think you have, and there's no guidance on what the criteria are for either one. 

I'm not saying that people will lie, I'm saying that they will genuinely believe that they have a research masters when actually according to NARIC they have a taught masters.  On the points calculator, you choose the one you think you have, and there's no guidance on what the criteria are for either one. 

Yeap... 
If taught master's aren't worth beans- (which most US degrees are taught and not pure research degres)- but people think they've got research degrees, they'll be a whole heck of a lot of money wasted.

I'm now a bit worried, because I kept my work permit visa since I didn't get made reduntant, but if I do and my master's degree isn't worth any points, I'm pretty stuffed. 
I'll need to hurry up and marry J!

Looks likes someone's only options to come to live to the UK these days is to go to school here or find someone to marry!

Looks likes someone's only options to come to live to the UK these days is to go to school here

You haven't looked at the new Tier 4 regulations, have you?   

Vicky

You haven't looked at the new Tier 4 regulations, have you?   

Vicky

TBH I hadn't much paid attention. But- just took a look- Ouch!!!

They really don't want anyone here, do they!!   

They really don't want anyone here, do they!!   

The penny drops....

 

Vicky

The IEB gave you a stock answer, which is to be expected.  As Vicky mentioned, checking with NARIC for a Statement of Comparability might be a route (http://www.naric.org.uk/index.asp?page=17).  They have varying service levels and costs.  It also has a translation waiver scheme (though Latin isn't covered strangely).

Somehow I don't think it is a glitch persay, if the NARIC level is below the threshold UKBA set things at.  As why Canadian ones are different then the US ones is a mystery of NARIC, but it would appear the fundementally have issues with the fact that a US Taught Masters does not equate to a UK Masters for whatever reason.