The University of West London (UWL) is ranked the best modern* university (non-specialist) in London in the Complete University Guide 2025.
We are ranked 30th university in the UK in The Guardian University Guide 2025, Number 1 London university for overall student satisfaction in the National Student Survey 2024 and Best university for Student Experience and Teaching Quality in the UK in The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2024.
The UWL community is a diverse body of students and staff who work together to create an environment of success and achievement. We celebrate the diversity of our staff and promote our values in practice through our commitment to inclusivity, progression, and success.
*University status awarded in or after 1992
The Department
Student Services is a large multi-disciplinary team that plays a crucial role in supporting our students.
Student Money & Immigration Advice comprises advice on Student Finance & NHS, UWL’s internal Scholarships and Bursaries and Student visa and immigration advice in order to support international students. We are a hard-working yet sociable and close-knit team who help and support each other to provide a superlative student experience.
The Role
The University is seeking a highly self-motivated, proactive and organised individual to have overall responsibility for the teams concerned with student advice (funding and immigration), scholarships and hardship funds within student services. The post-holder will provide management and leadership of these key functions, together with expert advice concerning student financial support (e.g. scholarships, hardship funds), funding and statutory benefit entitlements and UKVI Student Route/Tier 4, together with an excellent understanding of UKVI compliance. The post-holder will be responsible for ensuring a high quality student experience is delivered in relation to immigration, financial, and budgeting advice.
Student Advice staff provide a professional, confidential, and free service to UWL students and also to prospective students from the UK or abroad who are considering applying for courses at the University. The team helps with a range of queries and issues from accessing student support (from Student Loans Company and the NHS), money management, housing rights, benefits and on Tier 4 visas for the UK. There is close liaison with stakeholders both internal (Finance, School Administration, Registry) and external organisations (Student Finance England, the Home Office).
This post requires full-time presence on-site. Remote or hybrid working is not available for this position.
The Person
This is a busy role requiring excellent interpersonal, communication and IT skills. You must have a comprehensive knowledge and proven experience of leading a team working with students in an advisory capacity. This will include knowledge of current legislation such as Student Visa/Tier 4, Immigration rules, Student Support and related money matters.
The applicant will need strong organisational skills and have the ability to use initiative and operate in a fast-paced environment while carrying a high workload. The ability to work accurately under pressure is essential. You will have the necessary skills and experience to motivate and lead staff, manage student expectations, and to interact with and manage stakeholders at all levels.
Recruitment process
Successful applicants who are short listed will be invited in for a 2 stage interview process:
1. Competence-based test on the following:
- Student financial support (e.g. scholarships, hardship funds), funding and statutory benefit entitlements
- UKVI Student Route/Tier 4
2. Face to face panel interview (for candidates that pass the competence-based test)
How to Apply
To apply click on ‘Apply Online’ and fill out the application form. Further information about the application process can be found here: https://jobs.uwl.ac.uk/display.aspx?id=1253&pid=0
Please email hr.recruitment@uwl.ac.uk if you need any assistance with the application process.
Interviews are expected to be held in the week commencing 28th July 2025.
For informal enquiries about the position please contact Chackervarti Afghan, Head of Student Services and Operations: chackervarti.afghan@uwl.ac.uk.
Additional Information
Read more about working at the University of West London at https://www.uwl.ac.uk/about-us/how-university-works/why-work-uwl
Our department/school is under-represented in terms of staff from minority ethnic backgrounds, of LGBT+ identities, and with disabilities. UWL is committed to having a diverse and inclusive workforce, supports the gender equality Athena SWAN Charter, and is a Disability Confident Employer. We welcome applications from all sections of the community, particularly those mentioned above to increase diversity in our workforce.
Candidates must be able to demonstrate their eligibility to work in the UK in accordance with the Immigration, Asylum and Nationality Act 2006.
Please be advised that it is expected that appointment within a grade will normally be at the minimum point.
Previous applicants for this post need not apply again.
We will intermittently review the applications as part of this open advert, the University of West London reserves the right to close the role prior to this date should a suitable applicant be found.