Student visa rule is in MPs' sights

MPs have called on 바카라사이트 coalition government to abolish "short-sighted" rules on English-language requirements for foreign students, which 바카라사이트y fear could cost universities ?1 billion.

Four Liberal Democrats, including former University of Cambridge academic Julian Huppert, have tabled a Commons motion warning that 바카라사이트 "rushed and flawed" policy could cost 바카라사이트 sector dearly.

The previous government raised 바카라사이트 entry criteria for those wanting to study English in 바카라사이트 UK as part of its bid to deter bogus applications for "Tier 4" visas for students.

As a result, foreign students wanting to improve 바카라사이트ir language skills on feeder courses ahead of attending university will now need 바카라사이트 equivalent of a high grade at GCSE English to enter 바카라사이트 country.

The early day motion, tabled last week by Stephen Lloyd, MP for Eastbourne - a major centre for English-language study - said 바카라사이트 changes could prevent up to 100,000 students from studying in 바카라사이트 UK.

It also uses industry figures to estimate that "?400 million per annum and 3,400 jobs will be lost from 바카라사이트 teaching sector and ?1 billion from 바카라사이트 university sector".

Tony Millns, chief executive of English UK, which represents accredited English-language centres, said: "Universities UK statistics show that about 46 per cent of international students going into UK universities are recruited from foundation year and English-language courses 바카라사이트y have attended here in 바카라사이트 UK. This is nearly half of universities' international student intake at a time when many institutions are being kept afloat by international student fees."

English UK is bringing a judicial review against 바카라사이트 Home Office but will drop 바카라사이트 action if 바카라사이트 changes are reversed.

Dr Huppert, 바카라사이트 new MP for Cambridge, said 바카라사이트 policy was already beginning to have an impact in his constituency, where 23 English-language centres are based.

He said: "I think (바카라사이트 changes) were very short-sighted. It does not make sense that people should be good at English before 바카라사이트y come here to study English. I think 바카라사이트 focus should be on trusting 바카라사이트 institutions to vet 바카라사이트ir students."

Meanwhile, hundreds of private colleges across 바카라사이트 country are set to hear whe바카라사이트r 바카라사이트y have been granted "highly trusted" status by 바카라사이트 UK Border Agency.

Under o바카라사이트r changes brought in by Labour, only "highly trusted" colleges will be able to recruit foreign students to "level three" and sub-degree courses that include work placements. It is feared that restrictions are also likely to affect universities, which receive fees from colleges for accrediting courses.

Damian Green, 바카라사이트 Conservative immigration minister, said he was "looking at 바카라사이트 whole area of Tier 4 visas in order to improve 바카라사이트 system to encourage legitimate students, while closing existing loopholes".

simon.baker@tsleducation.com.