Students should transact with highly reputable UK schools — PH Embassy in London

DFA Advisory
December 9, 2011

The Philippine Embassy in London encourages all Filipino students wishing to pursue graduate and post-graduate academic degrees in the United Kingdom (UK) to transact directly with academic institutions of higher learning whose reputation is at least equal to that of leading Philippine universities. It is not necessary to deal with travel agencies, immigration consultants or third-party agents as reputable academic institutions would be able to provide the necessary guidance and assistance at minimal or no extra cost.

Before pursuing a graduate or post-graduate degree in the UK, it is important that the prospective Filipino student must have the minimum financial support to meet the required tuition and other fees, and board and lodging expenses.

It is suggested that students should concentrate on their studies and refrain from seeking part-time or full-time employment. If there would be limited entitlement to work on a part-time basis as part of the school’s training, income from this part-time job would not be sufficient to provide for daily subsistence in the UK.

If the primary intention of the Filipino student is to seek part-time or full-time employment, it is necessary to wait for an announcement by the British Government should they start again to issue work visas for particular job positions to non-European Union (EU) nationals.

This information will be known through the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) and may be viewed from the website of the POEA.

The embassy does not recommend applying for a student visa when the primary intention is to seek part-time or full-time employment in the UK.

In recent months, Filipinos have arrived in the UK primarily to seek part-time or full-time employment under a student visa. Many have discovered that the “schools” in which they are supposed to be “studying” are not accredited to grant academic degrees. Further, many are not aware that their board and lodging are not covered by the exorbitant fees they have paid to agents and immigration consultants who processed their documents.

The cost of tuition for an academic year is between £6,000 to £15,000 (PhP420,000-PhP1,050,000), while a monthly expense of £750 (PhP52,500) would be reasonable to cover board and lodging, exclusive of personal expenses like mobile phone and internet fees, daily transportation fare, and medical health necessities, among others.

It is noted that only reputable UK institutions of higher learning recruit students from the Philippines to enrol with them without inappropriately enticing them that they can work while studying or that they are assured of employment in the UK upon completion of their academic studies. Any UK academic institution which does such enticement should be avoided.

Prospective students are encouraged to visit the website of the UK Border Agency to check the updated list of Register of Sponsors for Tier 4 (student) visas.

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