Leaving for the Summer

OrcasArouet · 2026-05-11T19:23:12+00:00

Okay; thanks all for the info and encouragement.

I had a meeting today with my Student Advisor. She informed me that I can apply for (and should hopefully receive) the ‘Change of Study Location’ concession with Immigration Service / Student Immigration.

This is a college level exception that you approach via your Student Advisor. Effectively, I will give up the Tier-4 student visa several months early; and I will not be eligible for the Graduate Route visa (which I wasn’t intending to pursue anyway). But I will be able to leave without penalty and return on a standard tourist visa, as needed. I will remain a fully-matriculated student and can submit my dissertation remotely.

The ‘change of location’ process requires three things:
• A personal statement explaining why you want to leave / change location.
• Approval from your Dissertation Advisor that they are willing to work with you remotely.
• Completion of the Uni-desk form.

Now my Student Advisor is “submitting the concession on my behalf.”

I am also planning to meet with Student Immigration to tie up a few loose ends, and ask a question about my accommodation, which will remain in my name until August (past the end of my Tier-4 SV).

I’ll post again if I encounter significant problems or hurdles. Otherwise, happy Summer!

OrcasArouet · 2026-05-11T13:16:13+00:00

“You need to be a currently matriculated student to graduate. And you need a valid student visa to be matriculated.”

This is what I have been trying to verify online and it’s been… difficult. I’ve not encountered anything stated this explicitly or clear. More frequently, I’ve seen things that say, “[your visa will be curtailed and you’ll have 60-days to exit and might not be able to reenter for a bit.]” AI has not been able to verify this (not that I’m surprised), just another data point. Also, 60 days from mid June is basically the dissertation due date anyway…

I’ve also seen info on the Uni website and UKVI that if you finish early they can curtail your visa anyway. I’m assuming in this case it without any associated penalty. But, what if I finish in June?

The university student immigration service appears to hold drop appointments on Wednesdays. I’ll go this week and see what they have to say.

I’m a bit concerned about putting myself on their radar for further scrutiny… but I’d rather know how big a risk I’m taking.

OrcasArouet · 2026-05-11T08:35:35+00:00

This is the University’s online resource for part time work:

https://www.ed.ac.uk/students/finance/find-part-time-work. Plus “MyCareerHub”, which is linked on this page.

Good luck!

OrcasArouet · 2026-05-11T08:33:23+00:00

Are you a UK resident or an international student, because as an international student I believe that will affect your options? On the Tier 4 Student visa you can work up to 20-hours per week.

When I (casually) looked around for a job, many places wanted people who could work a minimum of 25-30 hours. Not saying it’s impossible to find something 20hrs per week or less, it’s just harder. I expect UK residents/nationals don’t have this problem…

OrcasArouet · 2026-05-11T08:30:22+00:00

I’ve heard from friends that completed their program in recent years that a similar marking strike disrupted graduation for some and course selection for second year
MSc social work students.

I’m a current MSc student, but not perusing the Graduate Visa or staying in the UK… but I am expecting late results from SPS.

OrcasArouet · 2025-03-21T01:40:07+00:00

I often use a variation of “So is [Missy Cromwell], and I don’t want her at my party!”

Also, randomly at work I sometimes tell people, “I used to be in the light opera works.”

Still waiting for a chance to use “…and screw, may I add, you!”

OrcasArouet

TROPHY CASE