Tier 5 temporary workers
The UK Border Agency allows academic institutions to bring migrants to the UK, on a temporary basis, under the Tier 5 (Government Authorised Exchange) route, to take part in one or more of the following activities:
- collaborate on University-hosted research where they are not filling an advertised position and the work is additional to the department/college's normal requirements;
- undertake research as an intern where the work is additional to the department/college's normal requirements;
- give a lecture/lectures where they are not filling an advertised position and the work is additional to the department/college's normal requirements;
- act as an external examiner.
It is not possible for the University to issue a Tier 5 Certificate of Sponsorship to a temporary worker who intends to take part in any activity other than supernumerary research or teaching or as an external examiner. There is an Internship Scheme which is run by an external organisation, which departments and colleges may wish to make use of for all other types of internships (i.e. those not specifically to undertake research).
Those using the Tier 5 (Government Authorised Exchange) route may be employed and paid by the host department/college, or may be employed and paid by an overseas institution, or may have been awarded a grant to fund their employment in/visit to the UK.
Certificates of Sponsorship are only issued for migrants who are doing work to a level of NQF level 3 or above.
The University holds its own allocation of Tier 5 Certificates of Sponsorship which can be issued to those who qualify as temporary workers. Unlike Tier 2, there is currently no monthly cap on the number of Tier 5 Certificates of Sponsorship and the University is not required to request Tier 5 Certificates of Sponsorship for overseas applicants on a case-by-case basis from the UK Border Agency.
All migrants coming to the UK to work or take part in sponsored research must obtain entry clearance/visa before arriving in the UK.
If departments and colleges are unsure whether they need to apply for a Certificate of Sponsorship, please see Do I need a Certificate of Sponsorship? 
(62kb), or contact the Work Permits Desk for advice.
Please see the Tier 5 application process flow chart (56kb) for further information. The processes involved, and the procedures to be followed, are described in more detail in the following sections.