Jargon Buster

• BRP: ‘Biometric Residence Permit’ - Pink ID card given to you when extending your visa.

• CAS: Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies - Virtual document issued by the Tier 4 Sponsor that has a unique reference number and contains information about your course & personal details.

• CoS: Certificate of Sponsorship – Document given by licensed sponsors to employ overseas staff.

• Dependant: Husband, wife or civil partner, unmarried or same sex partner, children aged under 18 who are with you in the UK.

• Entry Clearance: Visa issued in your own country to enter the UK (generally stamped in your passport).

• Established Presence: You must have finished a single course of 6 months or more during this immigration permission, or be applying to continue your studies on a single course which you have already been following for 6 months or more.

• Financial Sponsor: Official organisation that is supporting you financially during your studies. For example: UK Government, your home government, the British Council or any international organisation, international company, university or UK independent school that is recognised by the UKBA.

• Graduate job: A job that requires a minimum of degree-level qualification. The UKBA publishes a list called ‘UKBA Codes of Practice’ which defines job description requirements in order for a post to be considered ‘graduate level’.

• Licensed Sponsor: Employer who has UKBA authorisation to employ overseas nationals. Use the following link for a list of UKBA Licensed Sponsors.

• Maintenance/funds: Money for course fees and living costs.

• PBS: Points Based System – Visa applicants are awarded points for meeting various UKBA visa requirements. UKBA definition: “Immigration control system that allows entry in the UK through a series of criteria including educational qualifications, career history, age, language and either prior work experience or education”.

• Resident Labour Market Test: Where employers must advertise a post for a period of four weeks before being allowed to employ overseas staff.

• Residence Permit: if you have extended your visa in the UK, you may have been issued with a residence permit which is a paper visa (vignette) glued into your passport. These are now being replaced by BRP cards.

• SELT: Secure English Language Test. The most popular approved tests are IELTS, Pearson, Cambridge ESOL and TOEFL. We will advise you on whether you require a SELT to obtain a visa to study here.

• Tier 2 Route: Work visa option that replaces the PSW from 6th April 2012.

• Tier 4 Sponsor: Your university - i.e. Aberystwyth University.

• UKBA: UK Border Agency – The UK government office that deals with immigration.