Doctorate Extension Scheme Johanna Pursey Student Administration Officer (Tier 4) November 2013

DES decision making process 2 PBS Steering group and Stakeholders Registrar, Deputy Registrar, Academic Registrar Admissions, International Student Support Office (ISSO) Discussions and decision on whether to offer DES to PGR students based on information gathered by Tier 4 Administration Officer. (sources: UKCISA, Home Office information, mailing groups) RHUL will extend option to apply for DES to all PGR students that are eligible under Home Office criteria We would only process a DES if the final outcome of the Examiners has been formally received. We only issue a CAS to a student after their thesis has been submitted. (Except if their visa would expire prior to the award date.) It is compulsory for these students to sign an application form that outlines their responsibilities and ours. All applications must be made through ISSO as there is anecdotal evidence that not all DES applications are processed correctly by the Home Office.

AWARD DATE and VISA EXPIRY DATE Co-ordinated effort between International Student Support Office, Research Degrees and Tier 4 Administration Officer.120 countries We pro-actively contact PGR student before their writing up year starts to make them aware of the scheme, they can indicate interest in the scheme at this early stage and this is registered in our student database for reference. Prior to processing the award, Research Degrees contacts Tier 4 Administration Officer to check the timeline and ensure student is still eligible. If a student would be awarded 1 December 2013, we would issue the CAS as soon as the award date is confirmed but this can be a turn-around time of less than 3 weeks to get the application processed. 3

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5 DES application

6 Notes on SMS to clearly indicate DES application: Course start date : If you are sponsoring a student under the Doctorate Extension Scheme you should NOT enter the date the course previously started. You can select any date provided it is both in the future and before the course end date. (Note: must also be prior to current leave to remain end date) Course end date : If you are sponsoring a student under the Doctorate Extension Scheme you should enter the date you expect to formally confirm that their PhD is completed to the standard required for the award of a PhD If (level) the same or lower supply justification text (1st box): We are sponsoring the student under the Doctorate Extension Scheme Evidence used to obtain offer (2nd box):We are sponsoring the student under the Doctorate Extension Scheme. We expect the student to complete their course and gain a PhD Qualification on approximately the xx/xx/xxxx. We will continue to sponsor the student for the 12 months after their course is completed. The student is aware of their responsibility to abide by the conditions of their Tier 4 leave, including that they will leave the UK when their visa expires unless they have obtained further valid leave.

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