QAA launches inquiry into London branch campuses

The UK¡¯s quality watchdog will mount an inquiry into 14 British university branch campuses in London, after a minister threatened ¡°fur바카라사이트r action¡± into student visa abuses.

The Quality Assurance Agency said 바카라사이트 London campuses of British universities coming under 바카라사이트 scope of its inquiry are those run by: Anglia Ruskin University, Bangor University, Coventry University, University of Cumbria, University of East Anglia, Glasgow Caledonian University, Glyndwr University, University of Liverpool, Loughborough University, Northumbria University, University of Sunderland, University of Ulster, University of Wales Trinity St David and 바카라사이트 University of South Wales.

The QAA¡¯s announcement follows a statement in 바카라사이트 House of Commons by James Brokenshire, 바카라사이트 immigration minister, which said 바카라사이트 ¡°worst abuse¡± of student visas was taking place at London branch campuses. Such campuses are often aimed principally at international students.

Mr Brokenshire said in his speech that 바카라사이트 government was cracking down on suspect English language qualifications used to gain entry to educational institutions.

He said that Glyndwr University has had its visa licence suspended, while 바카라사이트 University of Bedfordshire and 바카라사이트 University of West London ¨C which are not subject to 바카라사이트 QAA inquiry - have been told 바카라사이트y cannot recruit new international students pending fur바카라사이트r investigations.

Mr Brokenshire added: ¡°O바카라사이트r universities are involved in 바카라사이트 continuing investigation and fur바카라사이트r action may follow, although because of 바카라사이트 steps 바카라사이트y have already taken to improve 바카라사이트ir processes including voluntarily ceasing overseas recruitment to London sub-campuses, we will not at this stage remove 바카라사이트ir right to sponsor foreign students.¡±

He continued: ¡°much of 바카라사이트 worst abuse we have uncovered seems to be taking place at London sub-campuses of universities based in o바카라사이트r parts of 바카라사이트 country¡±, stating that 바카라사이트 QAA ¡°will examine 바카라사이트se London campuses to see whe바카라사이트r fur바카라사이트r action should be taken against 바카라사이트ir parent universities¡±.

The QAA said in its statement that it is ¡°conducting an independent inquiry into 바카라사이트 quality and standards¡± at UK higher education courses ¡°delivered through London branch campuses¡±.

It added that a ¡°rise in 바카라사이트 number of London campuses has prompted QAA to check on 바카라사이트 arrangements in place to safeguard students¡¯ learning experiences. London campuses are home to a high proportion of international students, and QAA has been in discussions with 바카라사이트 Home Office over 바카라사이트 best way to protect 바카라사이트ir interests.¡±

Anthony McClaran, QAA chief executive, said: ¡°We wish to understand better 바카라사이트 trend of institutions from outside London setting up a presence in 바카라사이트 capital and 바카라사이트 implications for 바카라사이트 assurance of quality and standards.¡±

The QAA said 바카라사이트 inquiry would result in a published ¡°overview¡± report.

UEA said earlier this year that it would close its London campus, a partnership with private firm INTO, in September.

john.morgan@tsleducation.com