Menu
07/12/2010
Student Visa Reform Proposals Set Out
Tougher entrance criteria, limits on work and an end to students staying in the UK to look for a job are just some of the changes proposed by Immigration Minister Damian Green today as part of a shake-up of the student visa system.
Launching a public consultation on the reform of the student entry route to the UK of the Points Based System - the Home Office also revealed that 41 percent of students coming through this route were studying below degree level courses.
Immigration Minister Damian Green said: "I believe attracting talented students from abroad is vital to the UK but we must be more selective about who can come here and how long they can stay.
"People imagine students to be those who come here for a few years to study at university and then go home - that is not always the case. Too many students coming to study at below degree level have been coming here to live and work, rather than studying. We need to stop this abuse.
"Today's proposals follow a major review of the system, and are aimed at a more selective system and, crucially, reducing the numbers to meet our target of reducing net migration to sustainable levels."
The consultation will run for eight weeks, seeking views on a range of measures to reduce the number of students that can come into the UK. Proposals include:
Damian Green added: "This Government wants high calibre students with the genuine desire to study to come to our country for temporary periods, and then return home. We want to hear views of our proposals from a wide range of people so that our reforms meet this objective."
The new proposals could see Tier Four -students coming to the UK under the Points Based System - restricted to those studying largely degree level courses and to child students, unless the institution is a Highly Trusted Sponsor. English language competence could become the key indicator of someone's eligibility to complete a higher level course and all Tier Four applicants will have to pass a secure English language test showing competence at intermediary level B2, a step up from the B1 currently required.
The drive to ensure students return overseas after their course finishes will mean students will have to leave the UK and apply for a new visa to further their studies, and show evidence of progression to a higher course. It will also see the closure of the post-study route under Tier One.
In addition, the Government will be looking at ways to improve the inspection and accreditation of the education sector, to ensure the courses offered by private institutions of further and higher education are of the highest quality.
(BMcN)
Launching a public consultation on the reform of the student entry route to the UK of the Points Based System - the Home Office also revealed that 41 percent of students coming through this route were studying below degree level courses.
Immigration Minister Damian Green said: "I believe attracting talented students from abroad is vital to the UK but we must be more selective about who can come here and how long they can stay.
"People imagine students to be those who come here for a few years to study at university and then go home - that is not always the case. Too many students coming to study at below degree level have been coming here to live and work, rather than studying. We need to stop this abuse.
"Today's proposals follow a major review of the system, and are aimed at a more selective system and, crucially, reducing the numbers to meet our target of reducing net migration to sustainable levels."
The consultation will run for eight weeks, seeking views on a range of measures to reduce the number of students that can come into the UK. Proposals include:
- Reducing the number of people coming to the UK to study at below degree level
- Introducing a tougher English language requirement
- Ensuring students wishing to extend their studies show evidence of academic progression
- Limiting students' entitlements to work and their ability to bring in dependants
- Improving the accreditation process for education providers, alongside more rigorous inspections
Damian Green added: "This Government wants high calibre students with the genuine desire to study to come to our country for temporary periods, and then return home. We want to hear views of our proposals from a wide range of people so that our reforms meet this objective."
The new proposals could see Tier Four -students coming to the UK under the Points Based System - restricted to those studying largely degree level courses and to child students, unless the institution is a Highly Trusted Sponsor. English language competence could become the key indicator of someone's eligibility to complete a higher level course and all Tier Four applicants will have to pass a secure English language test showing competence at intermediary level B2, a step up from the B1 currently required.
The drive to ensure students return overseas after their course finishes will mean students will have to leave the UK and apply for a new visa to further their studies, and show evidence of progression to a higher course. It will also see the closure of the post-study route under Tier One.
In addition, the Government will be looking at ways to improve the inspection and accreditation of the education sector, to ensure the courses offered by private institutions of further and higher education are of the highest quality.
(BMcN)
Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
02 November 2011
Student Loan Company Recruits 'Lab Subjects'
Students from across the country are being recruited to take part in a unique experiment, which could shape how student finance products and services are run in the future. The Student Loans Company (SLC) has launched a nationwide search for 5,000 customers to take part in its online Student Finance Lab.
Student Loan Company Recruits 'Lab Subjects'
Students from across the country are being recruited to take part in a unique experiment, which could shape how student finance products and services are run in the future. The Student Loans Company (SLC) has launched a nationwide search for 5,000 customers to take part in its online Student Finance Lab.
21 April 2005
Liberal Democrats to tackle student debt
The Liberal Democrats have promised to remove the fear of debt from university students by scrapping tuition and top-up fees and increase grants for poorer students. The party announced that a Liberal Democrat government would provide grants of up to £2,000 per year to poorer students.
Liberal Democrats to tackle student debt
The Liberal Democrats have promised to remove the fear of debt from university students by scrapping tuition and top-up fees and increase grants for poorer students. The party announced that a Liberal Democrat government would provide grants of up to £2,000 per year to poorer students.
20 January 2004
UK's student population rises by 4.3%
The number of students enrolled in UK universities rose by 4.3% in 2003, according to the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA).
UK's student population rises by 4.3%
The number of students enrolled in UK universities rose by 4.3% in 2003, according to the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA).
14 November 2003
Open University triples young student numbers
The Open University is attracting three times the number of young students than it did seven years ago, it has been revealed today. The opportunity for “earning while learning” was a key contributing factor to the increasing numbers of younger students enrolling in the Open University, their research said.
Open University triples young student numbers
The Open University is attracting three times the number of young students than it did seven years ago, it has been revealed today. The opportunity for “earning while learning” was a key contributing factor to the increasing numbers of younger students enrolling in the Open University, their research said.
27 March 2012
Student Visa System Could Have Been Exploited By Up To 50,000
The National Audit Office (NAO) has claimed, in a highly critical report, that up to 50,000 people may have entered Britain to work rather than study in the first year of the government's student migration controls.
Student Visa System Could Have Been Exploited By Up To 50,000
The National Audit Office (NAO) has claimed, in a highly critical report, that up to 50,000 people may have entered Britain to work rather than study in the first year of the government's student migration controls.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:It will be cloudy again throughout the day. Mainly dry in the morning, but patchy drizzle in places, becoming more widespread and persistent in the afternoon. Freshening southwesterly winds. Maximum temperature 12 °C.Tonight:Cloudy with a spell of heavy rain pushing south through late evening and the early hours, followed by some clear spells. Minimum temperature 6 °C.
