Study UK members estimate that they will lose £7m this year due to student visa changes, the association has said. It has signed a statement condemning the changes that came into force this week.

UK Home Office policy affecting international students and the impact this has on Britain’s image as a study destination overseas was the subject of lively debate at Study UK’s annual conference today, with commentators predicting a demise in the diversity of education institutions operating in the current policy landscape.

The UK's leading association for independent higher and further education providers, Study UK, has become the second sector association to advocate for more competitive government policy in a manifesto.

With the general election fast approaching, lively debates from the HE and FE sectors at Study UK's annual conference threw out the choices ahead for 2015, with most speakers agreeing that balanced regulation surrounding immigration and funding would support the longer-term prosperity of the sector.

Leaders of UK sector associations have called for the government to focus on existing fraud challenges in light of a recent TV documentary instead of increasing regulation for compliant schools. Accreditation UK has confirmed its remit does not include delivery of external examinations.

A Premium Account Management Service and the prospect of online applications for UK-based student visa submissions are among the UKBA service updates on the horizon for the UK's Tier 4 student visa sponsors, as outlined at the Study UK 2012 annual conference last week in London.