Korean Job Discussion Forums

[robja]

Hi,

I've been looking into doing a PGCE (Postgraduate Certificate in Education - British teaching qualification) with an eye to throwing myself into secondary school teaching in a year or three. I've read almost enough about it to put me off, but not quite!

Pros and cons aside, it seems from what's written on here, the TDA, DirectGov - and some university - websites that if you don't live in the UK for a solid 3 years before you take the course you're a) not eligible for the bursary (the UK government pay your fees plus 6-9k living expenses) and/or b) have to pay your own course fees. Some information even indicates that you would have to pay as an overseas student.

I've also read that so long as your stay out of the UK was 'temporary' (i.e. you were intending to come back permanently at some point) this doesn't apply.

I talked to a nice lady at the TDA who assured me that I probably might be OK. Maybe. Not something I want to plan my finances around.

Does anyone have links to useful webpages with a definition of exactly what does and doesn't count as a 'home' student? Or more clarification on the 'temporary' loop-hole?

Or direct experience with getting the bursary and fees paid after spending significant time outside of the UK? I'd be interested to know exactly what questions they ask on the grant form. In terms of bank accounts, electoral roll etc, I still have a permanent address in the UK.

Any information on the process, definitions or useful sites/phone numbers gratefully received.

Ta.

[Gwangjuboy]

I had a friend who returned to do a masters but he had to pay the same amount as foreigners. This was because he didn't have a social security number - he had a Canadian and British passport. I have returned to do a masters but I have been invoiced for the home fees even though I have been away for 6 years. I would imagine that this apllies to the PGCE too so you should be okay with the fees, although it sounds like you will miss out on the bursary.

[semphoon]

This is exactly what I'm researching at the moment. All the replies that I got seemed to say that because I had lived out side the UK for more than 3 years, I would have to pay international fees.

More peoples experiences would be welcomed.

[Gwangjuboy]

My university were made fully aware of my period of employment in Korea - 6 years in length - yet they still invoiced me for the home fees for my up-coming postgraduate course. It appears that you will still be regarded as a UK resident irrespective of whether you are physically present or not so long as you have an address registered in the UK. My friend (UK national) did a postgraduate course two years ago but he was charged international fees because he didn't have an address registered in the UK while he was in Korea.

[Gwangjuboy]

[mick]

My mail is sent to my parents address in the UK. Would that be considered as a registered address?

[OiGirl]

I'm not sure of the situation in the UK, but some of the things I have connected to a certain address in the US where I have rarely lived are:

-credit union account statements
-voter registration
-401k and 403b statements
-state pension statements
-Social Security statements
-driver's license
-car registration
-car insurance
-car property tax

I use these connections to tie me to this address for the purpose of establishing residency. This is more than sufficient, in my experience, to establish residency to pay in-state tuition at a state school.

[robja]

Gwangjuboy wrote:

[crazy tigger]

I would try and make sure you are on the electoral register at that address too.

[Gwangjuboy]

[semphoon]

Please let us know how you get on.

Do you have any outstanding debt with the students loans company? I'm wondering how this will effect my application and my financial support. Also, when I return to the UK, will I get a huge tax on my Korean earnings?

[Justin Hale]

One cannot get Jobseekers' Allowance (and other benefits too possibly) if you've been out of the UK for 3 years, so the same may apply to bursaries. I was out of the UK for 2 years and 9 months, so I was all right, but my friend worked in Turkey for 3 years+ and couldn't receive any assistance whilst looking for a job. It's a totally and intrinisically disgraceful way to save public money, but also disgraceful considering how much is given to (a) generations of professional couch potatoes, (b) fresh off the boat immigrants.

[Gwangjuboy]