Would like advice...Going to Uni, starting from scratch, on a Spousal Visa.

Hi everyone,

So I'm asking for advice/guidance... what would you do if you were in my situation?

I entered the UK in October (2009).  My plan is to go to Uni and get a degree (more than likely in teaching, however there are other areas that interest me as well).  Currently, I have been working for one of the high street banks for a little over a month.  And both the Assistant Branch Manager, and Branch Manager have said the "promotion" word last week.  (Granted, I'm sure it would still be at least a few months until that happened, since I did JUST start).  

Now, I know working in a bank won't make me totally happy as far as work goes, however, it is a steady, stable, full time job right now.

My dilemma is this- do I go to school full-time?  How easy is it going to be to find a different part time job (I will have to work while I go to school).  I know I will be paying international tuition fees...hopefully by then I'll have enough credit to get a UK loan for these fees...Is there any such thing as full-time night school so I can keep my full-time job during the day?

Or should I go to school part-time? Maybe via Open University?  And keep my job during the day?

Basically: I want to go to Uni.  I need to work while going to Uni so I can still pay my bills....

All advice is of course greatly appreciated.
Ta.

I would do the part-time schooling thing until you qualified for home fees (year three?).  It just doesn't make financial sense to pay international fees if you are able to wait and pay home fees, especially if you have a stable job right now.  You could also ask around to see if HR has some sort of continuing ed program you could be a part of--maybe they would pay for some of the courses!

Do you have a degree already? In what subject?
What are your areas of interest, including teaching (what age group?)?
Would you be interested, as Jennie says, in consider developing your career in your current area of work? Would they sponsor / support you in doing a Bachelor's or Master's in business, accounting, Human Resources, as relevant, as is related to your interests? Talk to your boss / HR department, if you are interested.

I would contact your local universities to understand part time courses on offer, how flexible they are, and fee payment options.
 
Part time courses at the University of Worcester:
http://www.worcester.ac.uk/1345.html

The Open University can be a cost effective manner do get a degree, as you can pay by monthly installments over the lenth of a course:
http://www3.open.ac.uk/study/
http://www3.open.ac.uk/contact/faq.aspx?t=S&cat=1-1GSQZC

Good luck finding out more! 

I would do the part-time schooling thing until you qualified for home fees (year three?). 

Unless OP was living elsewhere in the EEA before moving to the UK in October 2009, they would only qualify for home fees if they wait to start the course in the academic year 2013/4.  All home fee payers must have 3 years Ordinary Residence in the UK (or elsewhere in Europe for some categories) before the first day of the first academic year.

Unless OP was living elsewhere in the EEA before moving to the UK in October 2009, they would only qualify for home fees if they wait to start the course in the academic year 2013/4.  All home fee payers must have 3 years Ordinary Residence in the UK (or elsewhere in Europe for some categories) before the first day of the first academic year.

The OP can in fact change her fee status from international to home once she qualifies.

http://www.ukcisa.org.uk/student/fees_student_support.php#become_home_student

It is possible to become a 'home' fee payer, even if you started your course as an 'overseas' fee payer. In all cases (see list below), you must meet any residence conditions at the start of your course. You might be able to change fee status if, for example, you become:

    * an EU national or the family member of an EU national
    * an EEA or Swiss migrant worker or the family member of such a person
    * a refugee or person with Humanitarian Protection or Discretionary Leave
    * the child of a Swiss national
    * the child of a Turkish worker in the UK


If the OP were to begin her course as an international student for her first year, she would pay international fees for that year. If the following year, her second year, she qualifies as a home student before the start of the academic year (September 1st) she can become a home student.

The OP can in fact change her fee status from international to home once she qualifies.

http://www.ukcisa.org.uk/student/fees_student_support.php#become_home_student

It is possible to become a 'home' fee payer, even if you started your course as an 'overseas' fee payer. In all cases (see list below), you must meet any residence conditions at the start of your course. You might be able to change fee status if, for example, you become:

    * an EU national or the family member of an EU national
    * an EEA or Swiss migrant worker or the family member of such a person
    * a refugee or person with Humanitarian Protection or Discretionary Leave
    * the child of a Swiss national
    * the child of a Turkish worker in the UK


If the OP were to begin her course as an international student for her first year, she would pay international fees for that year. If the following year, her second year, she qualifies as a home student before the start of the academic year (September 1st) she can become a home student.

Except 'Spouse of a British Citizen' is not on that list. You need to remember that there is a difference between being a 'Spouse of a British Citizen' and the 'spouse/family member of an EU national'.

Except 'Spouse of a British Citizen' is not on that list. You need to remember that there is a difference between being a 'Spouse of a British Citizen' and the 'spouse/family member of an EU national'.

The UKCISA includes British citizens as EU nationals

European Union (EU) national

You are an EU national if you are a national or citizen of Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Republic of Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden or the UK.

http://www.ukcisa.org.uk/student/info_sheets/tuition_fees_ewni.php#box4

If the OP were to begin her course as an international student for her first year, she would pay international fees for that year. If the following year, her second year, she qualifies as a home student before the start of the academic year (September 1st) she can become a home student.

Having only come to the UK in October 2009, I'm afraid OP would not become "home" for any course that she starts before October 2012 (which in practice would mean September 2013).  To become "home" as the family member of EU national (or in any other category) she still needs to have the relevant three years Ordinary Residence, and as you have quoted, "you must meet any residence conditions at the start of your course."  

You need to remember that there is a difference between being a 'Spouse of a British Citizen' and the 'spouse/family member of an EU national'.

Not in this case.  A UK national is an EU national.

JessicaKate, I was just wondering how things were going with your uni decision? 

Hi everyone!

Sorry it's taken me ages to reply, I unfortunately only get on UKY about once a week now...

Still haven't made a decision yet, however I am thinking, that I may do part time school through Open University, at least for this first year...that way I can keep my current job and save up some money so that when I am going to school full time I'll have some back up funds in case I get stretched thin for bills, fees, etc.


And as far as changing my status between 'international payer' to 'home payer', if I am understanding correctly, I cannot change my status during the academic year, however I would be able to change my status, for example, between year 1 and year 2? Is that right?

Thanks everyone for the advice!

I would contact the Open University directly and get everything officially in writing.

See http://www3.open.ac.uk/contact/faq.aspx?t=S&cat=1-1GSQZC

http://www3.open.ac.uk/contact/faq.aspx?t=S&cat=1-1GSR1Z

From the link above:

'I live in the United Kingdom am I eligible to pay the UK course fee?

You are entitled to pay the UK course fee if you are "settled"* in the UK (excluding the Channel Islands and Isle of Man) on the first day of your course and you have been ordinarily resident in the UK (excluding Channel islands and Isle of Man) for the 3 years prior to the course start date.

If you are temporarily and unavoidably working outside the UK for a period of less than 3 years you will still be classified as ordinarily resident in the UK and therefore eligible to pay UK course fees.

If you are a member of the British Armed Forces or a UK diplomat using a BFPO address while you are resident outside of the UK you can pay UK course fees during your time outside the UK. If you work for the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and were appointed to your post whilst resident within the UK and are currently working abroad and using a BFPO address then you will also be eligible to pay the UK course fees if you have not been resident outside the UK for more than 3 years.

If you are ordinarily resident in the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man then you are not eligible to pay UK course fees.

If you are not sure if you are eligible to pay the UK fee, please contact us on 0845 300 60 90 before registering. We will discuss your circumstances with you and confirm which fee you will need to pay.

*Normally and lawfully resided in the UK from choice without any immigration restriction on the length of your stay in the UK.'

What are you considering studying?

Here's a good website for graduates regarding careers:
http://www.prospects.ac.uk

Thanks MapleLeafGirl for all the links! I plan on studying education....either teach history or music (haven't quite decided which yet.   )

If the University of Worcester is near you, I wouldn't rule them out either.

They have part time BA (Hons) History and BA (Hons) Education Studies (don't know if it leads to qualified teacher status - QTS).

http://www.worcester.ac.uk/courses/1345.html

If University of Worcester isn't near you, check http://www.ucas.co.uk/

Best of luck with it all! 

I have done on campus and distance studies at universities in the UK and the Open University format and the Open University is very accessible, I have found. 

And as far as changing my status between 'international payer' to 'home payer', if I am understanding correctly, I cannot change my status during the academic year, however I would be able to change my status, for example, between year 1 and year 2? Is that right?

No.  This could only happen if you already met the 3 years ordinary residence requirement at the start of the course.  See previous posting dated January 20, 2010, 11:00:47 AM, quoting the UKCISA website.