Terms and Conditions of Student sponsorship

The University of Kent is a Student sponsor of overseas students. As a Student sponsor, the University has a legal obligation to comply with the Immigration Rules, Student policy and sponsor guidance in addition to any other guidance it receives from the Home Office. Students sponsored by the University under the Student route must comply with their visa conditions as well as all conditions associated with Student sponsorship.

2.1. As a student sponsored by the University under a Student visa your responsibilities include the following:

• Co-operate and act honestly in all dealings with the University, as well as act in a way that supports the University in discharging its sponsor duties.
• If applicable, pay the immigration health surcharge at the time of visa application.
• Ensure that you have valid ATAS clearance throughout your registration at Kent, where applicable.
• Register on your course by the required course start date.

Fee and Payments

• Ensure all fees due to the University are paid when requested.

Immigration documents

• Provide the University with your current passport and immigration permission visa throughout your registration at Kent.
• Immediately inform the University of any changes to these documents to keep your student record up to date.
• Respond to all information requests by the University, especially when relating to immigration documents.

Contact and personal details

• Provide the University with your contact details including your UK address, personal email address and mobile number. These must be updated on KentVision as soon as there is any change, and it is your responsibility to do this.
• Notify the UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) of any changes to your personal circumstances.

Attendance and Engagement

• Participate fully in your studies at the University and attend all seminars, supervisions, example classes, laboratory and other practical classes and lectures as may be required of you.
• Comply with all University regulations, Codes of Practice, policies and procedures including the University's Student Charter and general regulations for students.
• Notify your School if you are ill or unable to attend your studies and provide a doctor’s letter to confirm your illness for any periods of absence which occur due to sudden and severe health issues.
• Notify your School and Student Immigration Compliance Team of any changes in location for the purpose of study; ie fieldwork, dissertation etc.
• Notify the University if you decide to withdraw from your course or intermit your studies.
• Leave the UK when your visa expires unless you have obtained further valid leave.

Working

• Do not work more than the maximum allowable number of hours per week specified on your visa (ie 20 hours or 10 hours) during term time, paid or unpaid.
• Do not undertake self employment or engage in business activity in the UK.

3.1. The University must retain copies of:

• Your current passport showing all personal identity details (including biometric details)
• Your current Student visa, either as a Biometric Residence Permit (BRP), entry clearance certificate or other immigration status document showing your period of leave to remain in the UK, with entitlement to study at the University of Kent
• All qualifications and evidence used to obtain your entry to the course
• Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) clearance certificate (for students who require this for their visa application)

3.2. The University is required to keep a record and history of your contact details which includes your UK residential address, telephone number, mobile phone number and email address.

3.3. The University is required to make a report to UK Visas & Immigration (UKVI) in certain situations. The University will inform UKVI if you:

• Do not enrol or complete Returning Registration on your course of study or arrive later than the course start date
• Withdraw from the University for any reason
• Temporarily suspend studies through a period of intermission
• Change your course or reduce/extend the length of your course
• Move into a different immigration category and/or no longer require a Student visa
• Breach any visa conditions, including working more than the prescribed number of hours per week, failure to engage with the course of study and Student sponsorship has been withdrawn as a result of the non-engagement
• Undertake a work placement, informing UKVI of your employer details and dates of employment
• Change your study location to another campus, site or partner institution
• Undertake fieldwork of more than one month duration

3.4. You are required to progress academically in order to qualify for Student sponsorship and you may have demonstrated this based on written confirmation that you were highly likely to  successfully complete your previous course. If you were granted Student sponsorship based on academic progression confirmed via written confirmation, and you did not successfully complete your previous course, the University is required to notify UKVI and withdraw your Student sponsorship resulting in the termination of your registration at the University.

The University sponsors students in accordance with Home Office regulations and its Student Sponsorship and CAS Issuing Policy and reserves the right to refuse a CAS or withdraw sponsorship at its discretion. The University will state its reasons for refusal in writing. Applicants/students will usually have a right of appeal against any decision.

Protecting your information is important to us. Processing your personal information and data is necessary to ensure that we meet our legal obligation for UKVI compliance. Please see the University’s Student Enrolment Privacy Notice.

Please note that the responsibilities outlined above are not comprehensive and do not represent a full statement of immigration or visa requirements. The University will do all that it can in assisting you to protect your Student status however it is your responsibility to be aware of the conditions of stay linked to your visa and to assist the University in discharging its responsibilities as your Student sponsor. Failure to do so could result in deregistration as a student at the University, resulting in the loss of our sponsorship of your visa. The University is entitled to revise its terms and conditions, as well as policies and procedures relating to compliance with its Home Office sponsor duties at any time.

By signing below I hereby agreed to the terms and conditions of Student sponsorship: