BLC Blog

On Tuesday 22 March 2011, the government announced changes to the student visa route. The announcement follows a major public consultation on the reform of Tier Four - the student entry route to the UK of the Points Based System

Home Secretary Theresa May said:

“The changes I am announcing today re-focus the student route as a temporary one, available to only the brightest and best. The new system is designed to ensure students come for a limited period, to study not work, and make a positive contribution while they are here.”

The changes that are likely to impact on BLC are as follows:

* From April 2012 all institutions wanting to sponsor students will have to be classed as Highly Trusted Sponsors and become accredited by statutory education inspection bodies by the end of 2012
* those coming to study at degree level will have to speak English at an upper intermediate (B2) 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, and there will continue to be restrictions on work placements at courses outside of universities

While the new measures are not ideal, they still allow for overseas students to study on courses at below degree level, and the extended Student Visitor Visa route remains in place. This means that students on an English language only course will be able to study for up to eleven months, with no entry level language requirement, and we continue to be able to offer the university progression routes for students on a Tier Four General Student Visa.

The Bristol Language Centre has already gained Highly Trusted Sponsor status, has close affiliations with several universities, and offers a university validated foundation programme. I feel therefore that we are well placed to meet the challenges of the new system, and will continue to simplify the process for our students and agents as much as possible, while working within the rules of the scheme.

Seonaid Birkett, Director

28/3/2011

Links:

www.englishuk.com/en/english-uk/press-centre/press-releases

http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/

http://www.economist.com/node/18442053?story_id=18442053&CFID=160283152&CFTOKEN=75107617

(http://www.telegraph.co.uk/comment/columnists/alasdair-palmer/8408580/As-one-immigration-loophole-closes-another-opens.html)