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Venezuela limits foreign exchange for study abroad

A new law announced by the Venezuelan Ministry of Higher Education last month will restrict the ability of students wanting to study undergraduate and graduate degrees abroad to apply for foreign currency. Only students studying specific degree paths will be granted US dollars and euros.
Wave of media attention for UK student visa cap

A new report that claims the UK’s cap on international students could cost the country up to £6 billion has caused a wave of media attention this week, including coverage in all British broadsheets and mentions on the BBC. The report from the IPPR claims that ministers have wrongly included overseas students in the government’s net migration count.
Panic over accreditation “U-turn”, USA

In the USA, government agency SEVP is creating panic, stating that on-campus IEPs (Intensive English Programs) may not be able to operate unless their “host” institution has specific ESL-accreditation. Otherwise, the IEP may not be eligible to enrol international students until they gain such certification, which could take over a year.
France moots softer line on overseas students

Studying in France may about to become more attractive thanks to a pledge from the new French President, Francois Hollande, to overturn the infamous Circulaire du 31 Mai – a government memo issued in 2011 which instructs immigration officials to reject more non-European applications for post-study work and residency visas.
UK to offer financial incentive to study abroad

British students who take part in a university exchange programme are to receive a discount on their tuition fees in a bid to boost their number studying abroad. From 2014, undergraduates who spend at least two terms of a year on an exchange programme will be charged £1,350 – just 15% of the maximum of £9,000 chargeable in a year.
NZ to launch 10-day visa processing

In a bid to boost international numbers, New Zealand has agreed to speed up visa processing – but only if prospective students use government endorsed agents. From the end of July, international students who use a New Zealand Specialist Agent (NZSA) will have their visa applications processed within 10 working days, as opposed to 30 days.

The PIE Chat

Patrick Guimaraes, IE Intercambio, Brazil

We offer payment instalments, which are very common for Brazilians so, Brazilians think that if they can afford the instalment, they can afford something. We were the ones who started to offer this instalment plan, we were very aggressive on this.

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In other news

Pearson: collaborations in Nepal, Nigeria

Pearson: collaborations in Nepal, Nigeria

Pearson this month has opened a third test preparation office in Nigeria in collaboration with Kaplan and partnered with Nepal's ECAN to promote the PTE Academic test through its network and recruitment events.

British Council supports Brazilian study abroad

British Council supports Brazilian study abroad

The British Council is to help thousands of lower income Brazilians learn English so they can access the major government study abroad scheme, Science Without Borders...

Schools in Canada focus on Russia, Ukraine, Turkey

Top education agents from Russia, Ukraine and Turkey have said they will more aggressively promote Canada and Canadian language teaching institutions according to an Agent Satisfaction Survey, part of a six month follow-up to Languages Canada’s trade mission to three target markets...

US widens access to post-study work for STEM

Continuing its campaign to attract more of the best and brightest international students, the USA has expanded the list of science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) degree programmes that qualify eligible graduates for extended post-study work experience, or "Optional Practical Training".

Browse articles by region

Panic over accreditation “U-turn”, USA Venezuela limits foreign exchange for study abroad Wave of media attention for UK student visa cap Pearson: collaborations in Nepal, Nigeria IIE gives aid to Syrians studying in US NZ to launch 10-day visa processing

Industry news elsewhere

Analysis

How do companies in our sector build staff loyalty?

How do companies in our sector build staff loyalty?

As the international education business grows rapidly, companies in the industry are increasingly using initiatives to keep their staff engaged, motivated and loyal – from team-building exercises and in-house training, through to staff conferences, motivational speakers and straightforward bonus schemes. Dan Thomas reports.

How does China’s one-child policy impact on education?

How does China's one-child policy impact on education?

The answer: a horizon of opportunity and deep pocketed consumers. Learning English is a mega-trend, with onward academic study or overseas travel often a consequence of the rise in determined and competitive Chinese keen to become global citizens. As a result, education companies report mesmerising growth and, in some cases, interesting techniques. Peter Davis reports.

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