You will not be able to switch from a student dependent visa to HSMP and will have to go back to your home country to apply for EC. Have a look at the switching leaflet available from the HO website for more details. Hi MWazir, I'm in the exact situation and tried searching the HO website but didnt...

Sorry forgot to say, both of them were normal apps, not urgent treatment

I believe it's currently quite quick (within a week!) - my first app was received by HSMP team on Mar 22 and returned to me on Mar 28 (but it's a refusal;-( reapp out on Mar 31 and back on Apr 10 (approved finally). Another experience to share: refused at first time because of only copy of passport ...