MBA no longer same as PhD for UK residency applications
A master in business administration (MBA) from institutions such as the Australian Graduate School of Management, Singapore's INSEAD or the China Europe International Business School is no longer treated as equivalent to a PhD when applying to work, train or undergo further study in the UK.
Under a new points based system introduced by the UK Border Agency, MBA qualifications from particular institutions around the world that are deemed to at least meet the recognised standard of an MBA in the UK, only earn you 35 points towards the 75 attributes points needed.
In comparison, a PhD qualification is worth 50 points and a bachelor's degree 30 points.
Under the Tier 1 (general): highly skilled worker category of the new points system, which replaces the former Highly Skilled Migrant Program, applicants must score:
75 points for their attributes (a combination of age, qualifications, previous earnings, and experience in the UK)
10 points for English language
10 points for available maintenance (funds)
Credit will still only be awarded for a qualification that is assessed and recognised by the National Recognition Information Centre.
You can also score up to 20 points for your age if you are 31 years old (or less) on the date of application.
Up to 45 points are available based on your earnings over 12 consecutive months within the 15 months prior to your application. A maximum of 45 points is available if you earned £40,000 or more during that time. The cut-off for earnings is £16,000, which gains you 5 points.
You can also score five points for UK experience if you have previously earned money or studied in the country. If you are a national of an English-language speaking country you will automatically be awarded 10 points. Nationals of all other countries are required to pass an English language test.
You must also have a minimum level of funds available and score 10 points in this section, or your application will be refused.
Until 29 June 2008, you must show you have £800 in funds at the time you apply. After this time youll need to show you had £800 for at least three months before your application.
