Hi, I am international and due to start my TC in Sept 2025. I was on a Graduate Visa from 2021- early 2023 before I switched to my current Skilled Worker Visa. I planned to do the LLM SQE full time from Sept 2024 - Sept 2025 with Uni of Law under a Student Visa before I start the TC in Sept 2025 under a Skilled Worker Visa. There is an overlap of about a month between the end of course date and start of employment (“overlap”).
Earlier this year, I was told by ULaw that the whilst the end date appears to conflict with my start date with the firm, my start date in the office does not overlap with the course - Teaching concludes in July 2025 and I will have coursework assessments to complete in late July/early Aug 2025. Following the submission of this coursework I will be required to attend a 30 min online viva (oral presentation) in Sept 2025 to be questioned on the content of one of my coursework submissions. It appears that this takes a short time and I will be given notice in advance so I can notify the team I’ll be working with in the office.
Having being told this, I made plans to start the course as planned in Sept 2024 and to continue with my current employment until then so I can have more time to save up to help support myself during the year of study. This is important to me because while I appreciate the firm’s support in providing a maintenance grant and a small loan, I am concerned about the increased cost of living and increase in visa and immigration fees (The firm is is not helping with the Student Visa costs). Based on my calculated projections, which factors in planned reductions in expenses such as rent and other living costs, I have come to the realisation that managing finances may present certain challenges.
Last week, the firm got in touch with me saying there might be a problem if I were to start the LLM SQE in Sept 2024 due to the overlap. They told me that I should start the LLM SQE earlier in March 2024. That was when I was made aware of the recent immigration rule changes that the employment start date for the Skilled Worker Visa Certificate of Sposorship (CoS) cannot be earlier than the end date of my course. I did some research and came across rule ST26.6 which says seemingly says that I can start the TC in Sept 2025 under my Student Visa anyway. (See Appendix Student, Paragraph ST 26.6: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/immigration-rules/appendix-student)
I feel disheartened because I had already worked out a financial plan that would enable me to support myself (in addition to the firm's maintenance grant) during my studies according to old timelines. I also made a lot of important personal plans which would be impacted if I have to start the SQE earlier than planned.
Has anyone got any advice as to what I can do to start my studies as planned in Sept 2024? I intend to do the SQE full time so that I can concentrate on my studies.
Earlier this year, I was told by ULaw that the whilst the end date appears to conflict with my start date with the firm, my start date in the office does not overlap with the course - Teaching concludes in July 2025 and I will have coursework assessments to complete in late July/early Aug 2025. Following the submission of this coursework I will be required to attend a 30 min online viva (oral presentation) in Sept 2025 to be questioned on the content of one of my coursework submissions. It appears that this takes a short time and I will be given notice in advance so I can notify the team I’ll be working with in the office.
Having being told this, I made plans to start the course as planned in Sept 2024 and to continue with my current employment until then so I can have more time to save up to help support myself during the year of study. This is important to me because while I appreciate the firm’s support in providing a maintenance grant and a small loan, I am concerned about the increased cost of living and increase in visa and immigration fees (The firm is is not helping with the Student Visa costs). Based on my calculated projections, which factors in planned reductions in expenses such as rent and other living costs, I have come to the realisation that managing finances may present certain challenges.
Last week, the firm got in touch with me saying there might be a problem if I were to start the LLM SQE in Sept 2024 due to the overlap. They told me that I should start the LLM SQE earlier in March 2024. That was when I was made aware of the recent immigration rule changes that the employment start date for the Skilled Worker Visa Certificate of Sposorship (CoS) cannot be earlier than the end date of my course. I did some research and came across rule ST26.6 which says seemingly says that I can start the TC in Sept 2025 under my Student Visa anyway. (See Appendix Student, Paragraph ST 26.6: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/immigration-rules/appendix-student)
I feel disheartened because I had already worked out a financial plan that would enable me to support myself (in addition to the firm's maintenance grant) during my studies according to old timelines. I also made a lot of important personal plans which would be impacted if I have to start the SQE earlier than planned.
Has anyone got any advice as to what I can do to start my studies as planned in Sept 2024? I intend to do the SQE full time so that I can concentrate on my studies.
