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About the Advice Unit

The Unit offers independent advice on academic matters, University Regulations and processes. Advisors are able to represent students at University hearings. We also work closely with the Vice-President Education and Welfare Officer, who also provides representation on behalf of Keele students.

The IAU is a member of adviceuk (the UK's largest network of independent advice agencies) and subscribes to an electronic information system provided by the Citizens Advice Bureau. This details information about such areas as employment, housing, taxes and duties as well as a wealth of other information.



The IAU is a member of UKCISA (UK Council for International Student Affairs) www.ukcosa.org.uk
The Independent Advice Unit will advise to Level 1 of the Office of the Immigration Services Commissioner's Code of Standards. This means that we will help with: 
  • Diagnosing your need for specific immigration advice
  • Basic administrative support
  • Basic applications for entry clearance, leave to enter and variations of leave
  • Referrals
If your application is refused or there is on-going casework we will refer you to a higher-level provider. The advice and support that the IAU offers is free, confidential, non-judgmental and impartial. If we are not qualified to provide the service you require, we may need to refer you to another service provider; this will be done in accordance with our referral procedures and after we have discussed this with you. We will write to inform you of the details involved with this, including whether costs are likely to be incurred. If we need to contact a third party on your behalf we will require your written permission to do so.Useful LinksFurther information about the Code of Standards is available on request or you can have a look at the Immigration Services Commissioner's Homepage. The IAU is also a member of UKCISA, The Council for International Education.
IAU advisors are all full members of the National Association of Student Money Advisors.

The IAU has been awarded the Quality Mark by Community Legal Advice and is listed in the CLA Directory. Click www.legalservices.gov.uk/ for more details.

The IAU is part of the Students' Union and is funded by Student Union resources.

 IAU Immigration Advice

The Independent Advice Unit will advise to level 1 of the Office of the Immigration Services Commissioners Code of Standards.  This means that we will help with: 
  • Diagnosing your need for specific immigration advice
  • Basic administrative support
  • Basic applications for entry clearance, leave to enter and variations of leave
  • Referrals
 If your application is refused or there is on-going casework we will refer you to a higher-level provider.  The advice and support that the IAU offers is free, confidential, non-judgemental and impartial. If we are not qualified to provide the service you require, we may need to refer you to another service provider; this will be done in accordance with our referral procedures and after we have discussed it with you.  We will write to inform you of the details involved with this, including whether costs are likely to be incurred.  If we need to contact a third party in your behalf we will require your written permission to do so. 


Further information about the Code of Standards is available on request or you can have a look at the  Office of the Immigration Services Commissioner website.


The IAU is also a member of UKCISA, The Council for International Student Affairs.