Post Studies Work, Phd, Marriage Related Question

[ZOD]

Hi there,

This site (and people like the scouse) have been very helpful so far. I'm hoping for one final piece of advice. My gf has a master's degree from the USA and is about to study for another here in London. (She's Thai). She has an ielts result of 7.5 so language isn't a problem with anyone. She has received a unconditional offers from UCL, King's College, SOAS, and others. All are fairly respected. The visa shouldn't be a problem (for various other reasons as well as the above).

She might do a PhD after the masters. By April 2010 she will be eligible to apply for a visa as a civil partner. I think it then means she has another two years before she can be a citizen. We could also marry now which means she'll be a citizen in 2 years. (I think). Once she's a citizen her Uni fees drop by about 70%. Is this possible? Can she 'become British' and then do a PhD? Is being a civil partner enough to be a local student?

Can she switch from a student visa to a marriage/civil partner visa and stay in the UK the whole time? (I think you can but want to be certain.)

Does anyone know about this post studies work thingy? It is new and will replace the old highly killed immigration thing. She seems eligible. It is one of the categories of highly skilled migrant. How long does it last for?

Ok I'll shut up now. We want to stay together in the UK and she wants a PhD and/or job.

Sorry if my questions were a bit vague or random. Any input is appreciated.

Cheers

[RAZZELL]

Even if she is "British" when she undertake's postgraduate study the fees are still expensive. Although a lot less than for foreign students.

If she's that bright why doesn't she apply to LSE? I regularly work near there and see a lot of Thai/Asian students. If it's good enough for someone's daughter?

RAZZ

Edited June 30, 2008 by RAZZELL

[the scouser]

If your girlfriend subsequently obtains permission to stay as your unmarried partner, she will be given leave for two years after which, if dhe meets the requirements, she can qualify for indefinite leave. Once she will have then held indefinite leave for one year and have been in the UK for five, she can apply for naturalisation as a British citizen. If you were to marry, she could seek naturalisation once she holds indefinite leave and has been in the UK for three years.

She can switch to being an unmarried partner and, alternatively, the International Graduate Scheme (if that is what you are referring to) allows students to work in the UK for one year following their university qualification.

Scouse.

[ZOD]

Great stuff thanks for your replies.

Razzel, the difference we are looking at is £12000 for one year as a foreigner as opposed to about £3000 plus support from low interest loans for a citizen. LSE doesn't do the course she wants.

Scouse, thanks a lot, you're a wealth of info. It looks like we'll just have to shell out £12000. She will have to work dam_n hard for the year after that if she wants a PhD. Either that or be limited to a mere two masters. I've scraped by on dubious A levels so I'm sure she'll be ok.

Thanks again

[RAZZELL]

Great stuff thanks for your replies.

Razzel, the difference we are looking at is £12000 for one year as a foreigner as opposed to about £3000 plus support from low interest loans for a citizen. LSE doesn't do the course she wants.

Scouse, thanks a lot, you're a wealth of info. It looks like we'll just have to shell out £12000. She will have to work dam_n hard for the year after that if she wants a PhD. Either that or be limited to a mere two masters. I've scraped by on dubious A levels so I'm sure she'll be ok.

Thanks again

A PhD would be a minimum of 3 years full time study.

Very expensive unless she got a lecturing post/grant.

RAZZ

[torrenova]

My ex is Japanese and did a masters at UCL following her masters and work in Japan. She considered the PhD option and would probably have been accepted at UCL. The fees then were circa £8000.

We married the summer following her masters thus negating her visa issues and she decided to work rather than continue studying. It was my understanding that the basis on which she applied to the university for her PhD would dictate the fee structure. Thus, if you started on an overseas student schedule you would have to remain on that one. It They don't want to lose fee income if students change their status.

Might have changed now but that it how I remember it from that time.

Edited July 6, 2008 by torrenova