Highly skilled workers
MBA provision transitional arrangements
This page explains the Master in Business Administration MBA transitional arrangements in place for tier 1 (general) of the points-based system.
On this page
The 2004 Budget announced a new provision for graduates of some of the top business schools to work in the United Kingdom upon completing their MBAs. This provision was launched on the 12 April 2005 as part of the Highly Skilled Migrant Programme (HSMP).
This provision is being removed under Tier 1 (General) of the points-based system, but the MBA transitional arrangements will continue for applicants who enrolled on an eligible MBA course before 30 June 2008, and submit their application within 12 months of completing a qualifying MBA. Applicants enrolling on an MBA course after this date will not be eligible to claim points under the MBA transitional arrangements, but may be able to claim points for the qualification under the 'attributes' required for Tier 1 (General) migrants.
Points available under the MBA provision
You can score 75 points under the MBA transitional arrangements. These points are available to initial applicants only .
If you are making an application under the extension requirements of Tier 1 (General), including those who are already in the United Kingdom under the:
- Highly Skilled Migrant Programme; or
- Self-Employed Lawyers' concession; or
- Writers, Composers and Artists provisions of the immigration rules;
you are not eligible to claim points under the MBA transitional arrangements.
Claiming points
To claim 75 points under this provision, you must have been awarded an eligible MBA at the time the MBA is on the list of eligible programmes.
The list of MBA eligible programmes at the bottom of this page shows the 50 MBA programmes included in the transitional arrangements. This list was compiled by HM Treasury.
Please note that Executive MBAs (EMBAs) awarded by the eligible institutions are also acceptable under this provision.
The MBA transitional arrangements are only open to you if you enrolled on a qualifying MBA course before 30 June 2008 and graduated with a qualifying MBA within the 12 months prior to submitting your Tier 1 (General) application. If you make an application under Tier 1 (General) of the points-based system and do not meet these requirements, you will not be eligible to claim points under the MBA transitional arrangements.
You cannot apply for entry clearance or leave to remain on the basis of the MBA transitional arrangements until you have completed your MBA.
Points can only be awarded where you provide the specified documentary evidence of your MBA.
Documents required
Paragraph 245ZA of the immigration rules states that only specified documents will be accepted as evidence of this requirement. The specified documents are:
An original MBA certificate and a letter from the awarding institution confirming the date of enrolment on the MBA course
The certificate must be original and must clearly show:
- your name; and
- the title of the award; and
- the date of the award; and
- the name of the awarding institution.
Please note that original provisional MBA certificates are not acceptable
The letter from the awarding institution must be original, on the official letter headed paper of the awarding institution and clearly show:
- your name; and
- the title of the award; and
- the date you enrolled on the MBA course.
These documents must be provided in all cases, unless:
i) you have only recently completed your qualification and are awaiting graduation; or
ii) you are no longer in possession of your original certificate of award and the academic institution by which it was issued is unable to produce a replacement certificate.
If you are unable to provide their original MBA certificate, then you should fully explain the reason why you are unable to provide it. You should also provide the following evidence as an alternative:
An original academic reference and an original transcript
If you are unable to provide your original certificate of award for one of the reasons given above then you should provide an original academic reference from the institution awarding the qualification together with an original academic transcript.
The original academic reference must be on the official headed paper of the institution and clearly show:
- your name; and
- the title of the award; and
- the date that you enrolled on the course; and
- the date of the award confirming that it has been awarded.
The academic transcript must be on the institution's official paper and must show the following details:
- your name; and
- the title of the award; and
- the name of the awarding institution; and
- confirmation of the award.
MBA eligible programmes
|
UK |
|
Ashridge |
| USA |
|
Babson College: Olin |
| Australia |
|
Australian Graduate School of Management |
| Canada |
|
University of Toronto: Rothman |
| Ireland |
|
University College Dublin |
| Germany |
|
Bradford School of Management/Nimbas |
| China |
|
Ceibs |
| Italy |
|
SDA Bocconi |
| Switzerland |
|
IMD |
| France |
|
Insead |
| Singapore |
|
Insead |
| Spain |
|
Iese Business School |
| Netherlands |
| Bradford School of Management/Nimbas Rotterdam School of Management Universiteit Nyenrode |
Terms explained
-
HSMP approval letter
A letter from us that confirms you have passed the first stage of the application process for the Highly Skilled Migrant Programme because you have the skills and experience required. HSMP approval letters are valid for six months from the date of issue.