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07/07/2011
Changes To Student Visas Outlined
The Immigration Minister, Damian Green today explained reforms the government is making to the student visa system to stop abuse and bring net migration down to sustainable levels.
These reforms include an announcement last month that the Quality Assurance Agency (QAA) and the Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI) will inspect and review educational standards in private institutions which are offering further education.
Speaking at the QAA's educational oversight conference, the minister said that it was the primary motivation of too many so-called students to come to the UK in order to work, rather than study, and that too many institutions were providing an immigration service rather than an educational one.
Mr Green said: "Abuse of the student visa system has gone on for too long. Students should come to the UK to study, not to work or settle. We want legitimate students only, to study at legitimate colleges and universities.
"QAA has an excellent reputation protecting the standards of the UK higher education system and I am pleased they are providing their expertise to support our efforts to ensure only high quality institutions can sponsor students to come to the UK."
Explaining that it was now only those institutions with the best track record that would be able to recruit and retain legitimate students, the minister went on to highlight other changes to the student route.
These include:
These reforms include an announcement last month that the Quality Assurance Agency (QAA) and the Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI) will inspect and review educational standards in private institutions which are offering further education.
Speaking at the QAA's educational oversight conference, the minister said that it was the primary motivation of too many so-called students to come to the UK in order to work, rather than study, and that too many institutions were providing an immigration service rather than an educational one.
Mr Green said: "Abuse of the student visa system has gone on for too long. Students should come to the UK to study, not to work or settle. We want legitimate students only, to study at legitimate colleges and universities.
"QAA has an excellent reputation protecting the standards of the UK higher education system and I am pleased they are providing their expertise to support our efforts to ensure only high quality institutions can sponsor students to come to the UK."
Explaining that it was now only those institutions with the best track record that would be able to recruit and retain legitimate students, the minister went on to highlight other changes to the student route.
These include:
- Students coming to study degree-level courses must be able to prove they can speak English at an upper intermediate level, and others studying below degree-level will have to speak English at an intermediate level
- Students at universities and publicly funded further education colleges will retain current work rights but all other students will have no right to work
- There will be more rigorous checks to ensure that the funds students are using to support themselves are invested in – and available from – a trustworthy financial institution
- Only postgraduate students at universities and government sponsored students to be will be able to bring their family members with them
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02 July 2013
£3,000 Overdraft Offered With Student Bank Account
Halifax have announced they will again offer an overdraft of up to £3,000 with the student accounts for the next academic year. Last year, Halifax's overdraft was the largest offered on an account the bank says is 'designed by students for students'. It is the largest again this year of the three banks to announce their student accounts.
£3,000 Overdraft Offered With Student Bank Account
Halifax have announced they will again offer an overdraft of up to £3,000 with the student accounts for the next academic year. Last year, Halifax's overdraft was the largest offered on an account the bank says is 'designed by students for students'. It is the largest again this year of the three banks to announce their student accounts.
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.
19 January 2005
Study reveals 'deep and persistent' student divide
A report by the Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE) has found evidence that the higher education divide between advantaged and disadvantaged children is "deep and persistent". The 'Young Participation In Higher Education' report, studied the participation rates by student in every region, constituency and ward from 1994 to 2000.
Study reveals 'deep and persistent' student divide
A report by the Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE) has found evidence that the higher education divide between advantaged and disadvantaged children is "deep and persistent". The 'Young Participation In Higher Education' report, studied the participation rates by student in every region, constituency and ward from 1994 to 2000.
04 February 2011
New Part-Time Student Package Supported
Details of how eligible part-time students in England will benefit from new loans for tuition from the 2012/13 academic year have been announced today by Universities and Science Minister David Willetts. These rules introduce a level playing field for full-time and part-time study for the costs of tuition for the first time.
New Part-Time Student Package Supported
Details of how eligible part-time students in England will benefit from new loans for tuition from the 2012/13 academic year have been announced today by Universities and Science Minister David Willetts. These rules introduce a level playing field for full-time and part-time study for the costs of tuition for the first time.
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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.
