A much more rigorous student visa system was ushered in by the UK government in March, only days after the Home Affairs Committee published its
report cautioning against damaging the thriving educational export sector.
The main changes include the abolition of work rights for students at private sector institutions, while those at further education colleges can work for 10 hours per week and those at universities for 20 hours per week. And a raising of the minimum required language level for those entering the country for undergraduate level study to B2, while those studying below this level must prove a B1 level proficiency, as was previously the case. This rule is applicable to all - ending the previous exemption for government-sponsored students.
The accreditation system is also being changed, with all sponsors required to achieve Highly Trusted Status by April 2012 and be accredited by the end of 2012 - the accrediting agencies listed do not include any of the previous sector-specific agencies such as Accreditation UK. The government has also announced that there will be an interim cap on numbers of students sponsored by institutions that are not HTS or currently accredited by a designated body - this will affect all English language providers.
In its guidance, UKBA states, “All current Tier 4 sponsors who do not meet the above requirements will be allowed to stay on the Tier 4 Sponsor Register provided they continue to comply with their duties, for a limited period from April 2011. During that time, these Tier 4 sponsors will be limited in the number of students they may sponsor.”
The interim limit, in brief, is calculated by basing it on the number of CAS (confirmation of acceptance for studies) which were issued (to prospective students) and then used last year in successful applications. This means that no language school will be able to grow their business (aside from within the EU) in the current year.
The post-study work route, whereby any graduating student could remain in the country for up to two years to seek employment, is being axed, as previously announced, but the government announced that any student could transfer into Tier 2, if they could find a job that paid a graduate salary of £20,000 or more while in the country on their Tier 4 Student Visa.
“The changes I am announcing today re-focus the student route as a temporary one, available to only the brightest and best,” said Home Secretary, Theresa May. “The new system is designed to ensure students come for a limited period, to study, not work, and make a positive contribution while they are here.” There was dismay from the UK English language sector.
A much more rigorous student visa system was ushered in by the UK government in March, only days after the Home Affairs Committee published its report cautioning against damaging the thriving educational export sector.
The main changes include the abolition of work rights for students at private sector institutions, while those at further education colleges can work for 10 hours per week and those at universities for 20 hours per week. And a raising of the minimum required language level for those entering the country for undergraduate level study to B2, while those studying below this level must prove a B1 level proficiency, as was previously the case. This rule is applicable to all – ending the previous exemption for government-sponsored students.
The accreditation system is also being changed, with all sponsors required to achieve Highly Trusted Status by April 2012 and be accredited by the end of 2012 – the accrediting agencies listed do not include any of the previous sector-specific agencies such as Accreditation UK. The government has also announced that there will be an interim cap on numbers of students sponsored by institutions that are not HTS or currently accredited by a designated body – this will affect all English language providers.
In its guidance, UKBA states, “All current Tier 4 sponsors who do not meet the above requirements will be allowed to stay on the Tier 4 Sponsor Register provided they continue to comply with their duties, for a limited period from April 2011. During that time, these Tier 4 sponsors will be limited in the number of students they may sponsor.”
The interim limit, in brief, is calculated by basing it on the number of CAS (confirmation of acceptance for studies) which were issued (to prospective students) and then used last year in successful applications. This means that no language school will be able to grow their business (aside from within the EU) in the current year.
The post-study work route, whereby any graduating student could remain in the country for up to two years to seek employment, is being axed, as previously announced, but the government announced that any student could transfer into Tier 2, if they could find a job that paid a graduate salary of £20,000 or more while in the country on their Tier 4 Student Visa.
“The changes I am announcing today re-focus the student route as a temporary one, available to only the brightest and best,” said Home Secretary, Theresa May. “The new system is designed to ensure students come for a limited period, to study, not work, and make a positive contribution while they are here.” There was dismay from the UK English language sector.
