More international MBA applicants entering on UK Tier 4 student visas

The UK has seen an increase in the number of MBA applicants from outside the UK in 2011, according to figures released by The Graduate Management Admissions Council (GMAC), administrator of the GMAT test. Thanks to this increase the UK is now second in the World after the US as the country of choice for MBA applicants. If you are an International student you will need to apply for a Tier 4 student visa in order to live and study in the UK.

The GMAT is a computerized test in mathematics and the English language that measures the aptitude to succeed academically in graduate business studies. Business schools across the world use the test as a criterion for admission into graduate business administration programs, like MBA degrees.

According to the Graduate Management Admissions Council figures, 4.49 percent of all test-takers sent their test scores to UK schools in 2011, up from 3.39 percent in 2007. Despite the increase in numbers, there are still concerns that the current UK student visa and work visa policy may affect enrolments numbers.

After graduation Tier 4 international students have for some years been able to come under the Tier 1 Post Study Work Visa category. This visa category allowed graduates to remain in the UK for two years after graduation and work for any employer. This visa category will close from 1 April 2012. UK immigration will still offer visas through Tier 2 of the points-based system for graduates. In most cases only graduates who have an offer of a skilled job from a sponsoring employer under Tier 2 of the points-based system will be able to stay and work in the UK. This will make it more difficult for international student graduates to stay in the UK.

Global Visa Support offers a variety of programs in United Kingdom. Please check our UK page for more information: http://www.globalvisasupport.com/uk.html