New system for international students that might operate in future – shortly after 31 January 2011. BE PREPARED!!!

New system for international students that might operate in future – shortly after 31 January 2011. BE PREPARED!!!
It is no longer news that the UK government intends to reduce annual net migration to the UK to sustainable levels, in the tens of thousands a year. Now, it expects the student route to make its contribution towards reducing net migration to the UK. The government’s policy aim is to ensure that only genuine students who are committed to their academic study come to the UK, with a presumption that upon completion they will leave promptly. UKBA has now set out consultation sets out their proposals for achieving this aim.
The consultation is now seeking your views. DO NOT HESITATE!
IT WOULD BE IN THE BEST INTERESTS OF EVERY INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS, THEIR FAMILIES AND FRIENDS TO RESPOND AS SOON AS POSSIBLE IN ORDER TO PUT THEIR VIEWS ACROSS THROUGH THE CONSULTATION BEFORE IT CLOSES.
This consultation will run until 31 January 2011. UKBA intend to announce their response and final decisions as soon as possible thereafter.
Below is the summary of UKBA’s proposals for the new system for international students:
1. RAISING THE LEVEL OF COURSES STUDENTS CAN STUDY:-
UKBA’s proposal:
• Restrict Tier 4 largely to degree-level courses and child students.
Only Highly Trusted Sponsors will be permitted to offer courses below degree level to adults (i.e. NQF 3, 4 and 5 / SCQF 6, 7 and 8).
Lower level courses of under six months’ duration will continue to be offered outside the PBS, through the student visitor route.
• They propose no tightening of the Tier 4 (Child) route; this is a relatively small part of the Tier 4 composition and one which poses UKBA least risk
Summary:
* NQF 3, 4 & 5 – Highly Trusted Sponsor only
* NQF 6 (Degree Level and above) courses + – any sponsor (A or B rating)
2. INTRODUCING TOUGHTER ENTRY CRITERIA FOR STUDENTS:-
UKBA’s proposal:
• Raise the Tier 4 language bar as a key indicator of fitness to complete a higher level course.
All Tier 4 (General) applicants including degree level and English language students will be subject to a secure English language test showing competence at level B2.
Summary: All courses levels: SELT required, minimum B2 level
3. ENSURING STUDENTS RETURN OVERSEAS AFTER THEIR COURSE:-
UKBA’s proposal:
• Students wanting to remain in the UK after their initial course to extend their studies will have to show clear evidence of academic progression to a higher level.
They are also considering whether such students should be required to leave the UK and re-apply from overseas.
* They propose to close the Tier 1 Post Study Work route .
Summary:
* Students must return home and apply for entry overseas.
* Students must demonstrate intention to study at a higher level on return.
* Tier 1 Post Study Work closed.
* Graduates with a job offer can apply under Tier 2 – The consultation says ‘UKBA have recently facilitated this process by allowing employers to not carry out the Tier 2 Resident Labour Market Test in respect of foreign graduates recruited in the UK through the milkround. This will continue.’ My question is how true is this statement? Please comment.
Excerpts from the consultation on Tier 1 Post-Study Work:
UKBA says the student route is a temporary migration route, with students expected to leave on completion of their studies.
UKBA says they are concerned that the Post Study Work route confuses this concept.
UKBA says The Higher Education Careers Services Unit published their annual report in November 2010 which showed that graduate unemployment has risen to its highest level for 17 years and they concluded that there is a risk that the Post Study Work route is adding to this problem.
UKBA believe that a student’s primary motivation for coming to the UK should be the prospect of obtaining a world class education here, not of being able to work afterwards.
Following from all of the above UKBA therefore propose to close the Tier 1 Post Study Work route.
4. LIMITING THE ENTITLEMENTS OF STUDENTS TO WORK AND TO SPONSOR DEPENDANTS:-
UKBA’s proposal – 4 changes proposed as below:
• Students should only be allowed to work on campus during the week and for any external employer at weekends and during vacation periods.
• Where a course includes a work placement, raise the minimum ratio of study to work placement from 50:50 to 66:33 so that these types of courses become less attractive to people using them as a way to gain access to the UK employment market.
• Remove permission to work for all dependants of Tier 4 students, except where they qualify in their own right under Tier 1 or Tier 2 of the PBS.


• Only those Tier 4 students studying for more than 12 months to be allowed to bring their dependants to the UK.
Summary:
Tier 4 (General) All course levels:
* On-campus working only during the week
* Any employment at weekends and during vacation
* Study to work placement ratio – 66:33
Tier 4 (Dependants) All course levels:
* Course less than 12 months long – no dependants
* Course longer than 12 months – dependants allowed but no permission to work (unless qualify under Tier 1 or Tier 2
5. SIMPLER PROCEDURES FOR CHECKING LOW-RISK APPLICATIONS:-
UKBA’s proposal:
• Impose different requirements as regards evidence of maintenance and previous qualifications in order to lighten the burden on lower risk students.
Summary:
* Lower risk students can self-declare that they can meet the maintenance requirement & hold specified qualifications.
* Higher risk students must provide original documents as now to demonstrate maintenance & previous qualifications.
* Proposal to differentiate according to sponsor rating i.e Highly Trusted Sponsor Vs A or B rating sponsor.
6. STRICTER ACCREDITATION PROCEDURES FOR EDUCATION PROVIDERS IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR:-
UKBA’s proposal:
• Tighten the accreditation regime, working with departments responsible for education across the UK to ensure the quality of education provision within private institutions of further and higher education for Tier 4 purposes.
Summary:
* UK Border Agency and UK education departments to ensure quality of education provision within private institutions of further and higher education.
HOW TO RESPOND TO THE CONSULTATION
The consultation document is available on the UK Border Agency website and responses may be returned by completing the online survey, which can be accessed via the UK Border Agency website, at:
www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/student-consult-online
Or
https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/BDPMGTM
Responses can also be posted, using the template available on the UK Border Agency website to:
Student Consultation
1st Floor, Green Park House
29 Wellesley Road
Croydon
CR0 2AJ
In addition, responses can be emailed to: [email="studentconsultation@homeoffice.gsi.gov.uk"]studentconsultation@homeoffice.gsi.gov.uk[/email]
The closing date for responses is 31 January 2011.
COMPLETE THE CONSULTATION!
SPREAD THE WORD FOLKS!!
SPREAD IT BEFORE IT’S TOO LATE!!!
Concerned Tier 4 forum member (se8)


Read more: http://www.adviceforyou.org.uk/blog/uk-student-visa/proposed-new-tier-4-system-a-new-reality-for-international-students/#ixzz1B0gpP3Vy