A new "ecosystem" encompassing the student application process from inquiry to graduation has been launched by a British former private college owner who believes his idea will improve quality standards and compliance and safeguard the UK's reputation as an education destination.
New immigration statistics in the UK reveal a 9% fall in Tier 4 student visas issued for the year ending March 2013, with a decline of 46% in the FE and language sectors and the HE sector untouched. FE it seems has borne the brunt, as the fall for language schools was offset by a rise in shorter term visa issuance.
New research commissioned by the UK government shows that restrictions on Tier 4 student visas (held by those studying a year or longer) have hit England's public further education (FE) sector hard, resulting in lower student recruitment, lost income and course closures. This was conducted by the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS).
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.
UKBA has been criticised for ushering in the new Tier 4 visa system before it had gained complete control of sponsors (education institutions). The National Audit Office (NAO) suggested up to 50,000 students might have been actually seeking access to the jobs market in Tier 4's first year of operation.
The Association of British Language Schools discussed UK accreditation rules at its AGM this month...
