First of all, ATAS certificate is one of the document you would need before applying an extension. It will not guarantee you that you will get a visa but not supplying with your application means refusal.
You will get ATAS certificate if any University can give you offer letter. It takes around 5-20 working days to get the certificate and it is free of charge.
UKBA is not there to assess your acdemic progression. It is university Job. If University believes that you meet the requirement of the course they are offering you + you are capable of doing the course. They will write a statement in you CAS, why they have issued you a CAS. It could be because it will add knowledge to your previous education.
Now the most important question, How will you get admission in the university as they would require you to have at least some sort of degree preferably at level 7. So you need to find a degree or level 7 qualification completed before getting an admission or find a uni which is happy to give you CAS.
Once you have got CAS, Banks statement, ATAS; There is very little UKBA can do to refuse your application. So Tier 4 is always less risky (In- country application).
In case if you don't get admission, Then you would have to seek other route most probably Tier 1 Entrepreneur.
Tier 4 Visa = very little chance of refusal + same day decision ( So tension release)
Tier 1 Entrepreneur = at least 6 months initial application + very tricky visa to get in my experience as they can come with any thing and if you fail to win appeal then you won't be able to complete your 10 year legal stay eventhough you have stayed in the UK more 10 years waiting for the appeal decision.
ajek01 wrote:Thanks Ahmad0044
Just trying to assess the risk factor here, would highly appreciate your kind reply
If I do get an ATAS certificate before enrolling for mphil in an university, would this secure my tier 4 app extension in Dec13, considering the following situation:
I was previously studying acca (masters level course) for many years and have not yet finished.
What is the chance of UKBA refusing my tier 4 visa saying the following:
1. That I have not finished ACCA (masters) and yet doing mphil?
2. I did not have satosfactory academic progression.
All I am trying to assess here is if tier 4 is too risky given the situatikn then I shall try other immigration route.
Again, would really appreciate your expert opinion into this.
Kindest regards
