The question is what are the Risks/benefits if you study on Tier 1 Visa?
If you see the first paragraph in the link :
http://www.bia.homeoffice.gov.uk/workin ... sedsystem/
So this ensures us that studying while on Tier 1 visa is perfectly normal.This section explains how you can come to the United Kingdom or remain here under Tier 1 (General) - highly skilled worker of our points-based system to work, train or study in the United Kingdom.
Requirements:
1. You have enough points for getting Tier 1 Visa.
2. You intend to do an MBA/Higher degree in UK and also work here.
Strategy:
1. Apply for Tier 1 Visa.
2. Study in first or second year.
3. (Absolutely must) Work in 3rd year before Tier 1 visa extension.
Now I can think of following Risks and Benefits for above strategy.
Advantages
1. If you want to study while on Tier 1, a lot of hassles(related to obtaining student visa) would get reduced. You don't need to show that you have obtained admission in your university, that you have loads of funds (which is sometimes 30-40 lacs for MBA degrees) for whole of next year, etc. This is because you already have Tier 1 Visa.
2. If you want to study while on Tier 1, another advantage is that your ILR clock is still clicking. This means that your time as a student (during Tier 1 visa) is valid for ILR purposes. Where as if you are on student Visa, this studying time is not considered valid for ILR.
Risk
3. You need to be very confident that you will get a job and work in 3rd year(and earn enough salary to reach threshold points). This is because you will need points from previous earnings when you extend your leave to remain as Tier 1 migrant. Otherwise you will be kicked out of UK
4. If UK government decides to make retrospective changes to Visa rules(which is not uncommon), then your leave may come in jeopardy. Right now it is not restricted to study while you are on Tier 1.
5. If you earn a degree while you are on Tier 1, this degree cannot be used to claim (5) points under "UK Experience" section for Tier 1 extension application. This means that if you work and study both during Tier 1 duration, you can claim (5) points under "UK Experience" section only for your earnings and not your degree(earned while Tier 1 visa).
Further comments/suggestions welcome.