Tier 4 (General) Visa

Applying for a Tier 4 visa

If you require a Tier 4 visa extension to allow you to complete the remainder of your course, International Student Support will assess whether you are eligible to apply from within the UK or whether you need to apply outside the UK.

Leave of Absence

If sickness or other personal circumstances prevent you from attending classes or completing assignments, you may be required to take a leave of absence from your course and defer your studies to the next available start date.

Transferring Programmes

Transferring course may affect your current immigration status. If you would like to transfer course you could be required to apply for a new Tier 4 visa before you start your new course. You may need to return to your home country to make this application.

Placements

You may decide you would like to undertake a placement year during your time at University. A placement year will allow you to take a year out from your studies to gain industry relevant experience in a job role related to your studies

Sabbatical Officer

Sunderland Students' Union elects students and recent graduates into full time sabbatical officer positions who then act as executive officers of the Students' Union for a 12 month term.

These positions are full time paid positions that may have implications on your visa.

Working Rights

Every Tier 4 student studying a full-time programme at the University of Sunderland should have a right to work while studying, but the working limits depend on the course a student is currently undertaking

Police Registration

Some international students who are studying for six months or more are required to register with the police upon arrival in the United Kingdom (UK). You will then be issued with a Police Registration Certificate which is often referred to as a PRC