UK GOVERNMENT PUBLISHES ROLL OUT TIMETABLE FOR NEW RULES FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDE

30/10/08

Today the UK Government published an implementation plan for the student tier of the Points Based System. The new system for students will be rolled out gradually from March 2009. Known as Tier 4, the new system will be more transparent and easily understood and will simplify the existing immigration rules for genuine students and education providers. From March 2009, colleges and universities who want to teach non-European Economic Area (EEA) nationals need to have a licence issued by the UK Border Agency. Licensed institutions can then sponsor non-EEA students to come to study in the UK. Education providers should apply for a sponsor licence as soon as possible and no later than 2 February 2009 in order be ready for the start of implementation of Tier 4 in March 2009. The new system will protect students from exploitation by bogus colleges and ensure that students comply with the terms of their visas to study. One of the key benefits is that students will be able to work out whether they have sufficient points to qualify before they make a visa application. To qualify to study in the UK, international students must be sponsored by a UK Border Agency-licensed education institution, have a proven academic track record, demonstrate that they can financially support themselves and any dependants and apply for a course that meets a minimum level of qualification. From Autumn 2009, the UK Border Agency will implement the ‘sponsor management system’ – dedicated technology that will make it easier for universities and colleges to inform the UK Border Agency if students fail to enrol or miss more than ten sessions. Borders and Immigration Minister Phil Woolas said: “International students contribute £2.5 billion to the UK economy in tuition fees alone. The student tier of the points system means Britain can continue to recruit good students from outside Europe. “Those who come to Britain must play by the rules and benefit the country. This new route for students will ensure we know exactly who is coming here to study and stamp out bogus colleges who facilitate the lawbreakers.� Education providers who fail to follow the rules risk a ban on recruiting international students and being shut down. Since 1 January 2005, almost 300 bogus colleges have been removed from the Department for Universities and Skills Register of Education and Training Providers. Minister of State for Higher Education David Lammy said: “I welcome the education sector’s involvement in developing this implementation plan, which will help to ensure we have a structure that allows international students to benefit from the excellent educational experience the UK offers, while giving them the opportunity to work in the UK for two years following graduation. “However, we will not tolerate the minority of individuals who seek to damage the quality of our education system through bogus colleges. This is why we have introduced tighter checks to the current Register of Education and Training Providers. The new system will toughen this process further and give extra protection from the damage bogus colleges can cause.� The UK remains a popular destination for students from India. They represent the second largest number of international students in higher education in the UK. The number of UK student visas being issued in India is increasing year on year. In 2007, almost 22,000 student visas were issued. From January to September 2008, over 25,000 student visas have been issued.