England.  Change location

Advanced UK immigration law (OISC Levels 2 and 3)

This short course considers the more complex aspects of UK immigration law including leave outside the rules, human rights and appeals against Home Office decisions. The skills required to prepare and submit applications are developed throughout the course, including those required for working with clients, identifying relevant immigration routes and evidence.

Based around the skills and knowledge expected at OISC (Office of the Immigration Services Commissioner) Levels 2 and 3, the course is suitable for individuals seeking to qualify as an OISC Level 2 and 3 Advisor and individuals seeking to expand their knowledge of the complex nature of the UK’s immigration system.

Standalone study only

You will not be awarded credits for studying this course. It is available for standalone study only and cannot be counted towards an OU qualification.

Short course

Short course code

WG002

Credits

This is a non-credit bearing course.

Study method

Distance Learning

Short course cost

See Registration

Entry requirements

See Entry requirements
Course details Entry requirements Registration Study materials

What you will study

This course is designed for individuals interested in learning about the complex aspects of UK Immigration law.

You will learn about the UK’s Immigration Rules, explore exceptions to those Rules, including Leave Outside the Rules, and consider the skills and competencies required in practice, including those required in making an application on behalf of a client. Covering the OISC Level 2 and 3 syllabi, the course provides an opportunity for you to learn more about this specialist area of practice and provides opportunities for those planning to undertake the OISC Level 2 or 3 examination to practise their examination skills.

Designed for flexible study this unique course is structured around 15 units and an online immigration law manual. Developed in partnership and bringing together the expertise of the OU and HJT training, the course focuses on supported online learning containing specific subject area written units, video and audio materials, online activities, opportunities to self-assess progress, for reflection, skills development, consolidation of learning for examination preparation.

The units cover immigration control, making an application, human rights, private life, family life, leave outside the Rules, the Eu Settlement Scheme (including complex EEA cases), human rights: complex cases, immigration detention (bail, removal, and deportation), client care, OISC Level 2 and 3 examination preparation and readiness, OISC Level 2 and 3 examination practise and reflection, appeals against Home Office decisions, the process and skills used in managing an appeal, OISC’s Code of Standards, responsibilities and next steps.

In addition to knowledge, you gain several important skills essential to those working with immigration law. These include the application of suitability and eligibility criteria, gathering evidence, choosing the appropriate rules and immigration route, working with the immigration rules, client interviewing, time management, letter drafting, identifying resources, and managing applications appropriately and efficiently. The features of ethical practice are also considered.

For individual’s seeking to qualify as an OISC Level 2 and 3 advisor, the course also provides a unique opportunity to explore and practise the knowledge and skills required of the OISC Level 2 and 3 examinations.

Immigration law is a complex and fast-changing area and throughout the course, emphasis is placed upon developing skills which enable you to keep up to date and equip you to work with the Immigration Law Rules as they change and develop. The course is updated annually and those seeking to take the OISC Level 2 and 3 examinations are guided through the examination process with references made to the OISC Level 2 and 3 online examination resources provided by OISC.

You will learn

On successful completion of this course, you will have gained knowledge of:

  • specific areas of UK immigration law set out in the OISC Levels 2 and 3 syllabi.
  • the skills and competencies required at OISC Level 2 or 3.
  • the permitted work of an OISC Level 2 or 3 immigration advisor.
  • the role of the OISC syllabus and OISC examination resources.

You will also have developed several legal, practical, and professional skills including those relevant to:

  • practice as a Level 2 and 3 Office of the Immigration Services Commissioner (OISC) Immigration Advisor
  • working with the Immigration Rules
  • working with clients
  • the Office of the Immigration Services Commissioner (OISC) Level 2 and 3 examinations

Vocational relevance

This course has vocational relevance for those seeking to work as an Office of the Immigration Services Commissioner (OISC) Level 2 and 3 Immigration Advisor. It explores the knowledge and skills required by the OISC Level 2 and 3 syllabi.

Requirements for registration for an OISC examination and OISC registration are set by OISC and individuals must register for these directly through OISC.

Learner support

This course is designed for independent study. Other support is available, contact OU-immigration-courses@open.ac.uk for course specific enquiries, via StudentHome for general study enquiries or the computing helpdesk for IT support for your studies.  

Work-based activity

This is a self-study course in which you self-assess your progress through activities, reflection and feedback. These enable you to check your understanding and apply the knowledge as you work through each unit. There is no formal assessment. A certificate of participation is provided on completion of the course.

For those studying as part of their preparation for becoming an OISC Level 2 and 3 Advisor, the syllabus, competencies, and examination for OISC Level 2 and 3 practice are set by OISC. OISC sets the examination dates, examination entry requirements and registration requirements. OISC also provides an examination resources booklet. You need to be familiar with all of these before applying to sit the examination and sitting the examination. OISC set application criteria which applicants for OISC Level 2 and 3 must meet (in addition to passing the OISC Level 2 and 3 examination). To ensure you can work as an immigration advisor please contact the Home Office directly to ensure your understanding of their requirements is correct before making your application to become an OISC Level 2 and 3 adviser and sitting the examination.

Regulations

As a student of The Open University, you should be aware of the content of the academic regulations, which are available on our Student Policies and Regulations website.


Entry requirements

This course assumes a basic knowledge of the UK’s legal system and law-making processes. If you are new to the study of law and immigration law, or want to refresh your knowledge, An introduction to UK immigration law and becoming an immigration advisor is a free 15-hour course designed to introduce you to UK immigration law and legal systems. It can be found on the Open University OpenLearn platform. Our Foundations of UK immigration law (OISC Level 1) short course is also available to support individuals seeking to become registered at OISC Level 1.

Course length

This course should take approximately 60 hours of study time. It has been designed to allow you to work at your own pace and with the flexibility to study at the times that suit you. You have up to 18 months access to the course content, and you should plan to complete your studies within this timeframe.

Please note that depending on the date you register, you have a maximum of 18 months and a minimum of six months to complete your studies (this includes the unit activities). If you feel six months may be insufficient time for you to complete then you can delay registration until the next presentation which begins in January of each year.

Register

Start End England fee Register
At anytime before registration end date Oct 2025 - see Entry requirements for more detail £299.00

Registration closes 31/12/2024

Register

Ways to pay

Credit/Debit Card – We accept American Express, Mastercard, Visa and Visa Electron.

Sponsorship – If this course is geared towards your job or developing your career, you could ask your employer to sponsor you by paying some or all of the fees. Your sponsor just needs to complete a simple form to confirm how much they will be paying and we will invoice them.

The fee information provided here is valid for short courses starting in the 2024/25 academic year. Fees typically increase annually. For further information about the University's fee policy, visit our Fee Rules.

Can you study an Access module for free?

Depending on eligibility and availability of places, you could apply to study your Access module for free.

To qualify, you must:

  1. be resident in England
  2. have a household income of less than £25,000 (or be in receipt of a qualifying benefit)
  3. have not completed one year or more on any full-time undergraduate programme at FHEQ level 4 or above or successfully completed 30 credits or more of OU study within the last 10 years

How to apply to study an Access module for free

Once you've started the registration process, either online or over the phone, we'll contact you about your payment options. This will include instructions on how you can apply to study for free if you are eligible and funded places are still available.

If you're unsure if you meet the criteria to study for free, you can check with one of our friendly advisers on +44 (0)300 303 0069, or you can request a call back.

Not eligible to study for free?

Don't worry! We offer a choice of flexible ways to help spread the cost of your Access module. The most popular options include:

  • monthly payments through OUSBA
  • part-time tuition fee loan (you'll need to be registered on a qualification for this option)

To explore all the options available to you, visit Fees and Funding.

What's included

The course is delivered entirely online through a bespoke website to support you as you study. Each of the 15 units is specifically designed to develop your knowledge and skills. You will be directed to relevant online materials, such as Home Office Guidance Notes, to specially developed videos, audios, and a course manual. The manual contains detailed information on immigration law and relevant legislation and is updated regularly by leading specialists in UK immigration. This is an important resource that is an integral part of your learning.

The course is designed for active learning with opportunities for self-reflection, assessment of your own progress and reflection on your progress are provided throughout.

Computing requirements

You’ll need broadband internet access and a desktop or laptop computer with an up-to-date version of Windows (10 or 11) or macOS Ventura or higher.

Any additional software will be provided or is generally freely available.

To join in spoken conversations in tutorials, we recommend a wired headset (headphones/earphones with a built-in microphone).

Our module websites comply with web standards, and any modern browser is suitable for most activities.

Our OU Study mobile app will operate on all current, supported versions of Android and iOS. It’s not available on Kindle.

It’s also possible to access some module materials on a mobile phone, tablet device or Chromebook. However, as you may be asked to install additional software or use certain applications, you’ll also require a desktop or laptop, as described above.

If you have a disability

The course is delivered online and makes use of a variety of online resources. If you use specialist hardware or software to assist you in using a computer or the internet you are advised to contact us about support which can be given to meet your needs.

The OU strives to make all aspects of study accessible to everyone and this Accessibility Statement outlines what studying WG002 involves. You should use this information to inform your study preparations and any discussions with us about how we can meet your needs.