The agreements cover areas such as student mobility, joint research and English and Spanish language learning. In addition, the UK minister for Universities and Science, David Willetts, held a roundtable with Santos aimed at improving links between academia and business in the two countries.

“I’m delighted that we have strengthened our higher education and research relationship with Colombia,” said Willetts.

But for many in the Colombian study abroad industry, such a claim will ring hollow given the UK government’s commitment to cut non-EU student visas by 250,000 by 2015 – a move likely to slash the number of Colombians coming to study in the country.

Adriana Sanchez, an agent at Educonexion in Bogota, said she was doubtful Santos’ visit would have impact, and that the UK’s tough new rules on work rights and English language ability had badly affected Colombian students and businesses.

“Already the UK is well known and promoted here… You can have the best English, the best quality in higher education, but if the visas are not issued in a common sense way there is no point,” she said.

“Most of the Colombian students are middle class, not poor but not rich. Many are deciding not to go to the UK because they won’t be able to work and pay for their maintenance.”

Another agent in Cali who preferred not to be named said Australia was becoming a preferable destination for Colombian students. “The process to go to the UK to study has been very difficult. We have had many, many rejections,” he said.

Asked how this week’s agreements squared with the government’s immigration plans, a Department for Business, Innovation and Skills spokesperson said that the agreements were negotiated independently between UK and Colombian universities.

the British Council promises more support for Colombia’s National Bilingual Programme

“We have overhauled the student visa system in order to tackle abuses whilst continuing to attract the brightest and genuine students. Legitimate institutions are able to recruit overseas students as they see fit,” he said.

Among the agreements signed this week, the British Council promises more support for Colombia’s National Bilingual Programme. A UK delegation will also visit Colombia next year to explore further opportunities for collaboration.