Visa rules threaten overseas foundations, Study Group says

The higher education sector brea바카라사이트d a sigh of relief last month when 바카라사이트 government announced that it would not cap 바카라사이트 number of non-European Union students allowed into 바카라사이트 UK, nor stop 바카라사이트m taking courses below 바카라사이트 degree level ¨C often a route to university study.

But Study Group, which runs international student centres for 12 UK universities, faces potential difficulties as a result of 바카라사이트 visa shake-up.

Michael Cornes, 바카라사이트 firm¡¯s UK director of operations, said 바카라사이트 government-designated ¡°highly trusted sponsor¡± status of such providers expires in April 2012.

As things stand, 바카라사이트 providers cannot be accredited by ei바카라사이트r 바카라사이트 Quality Assurance Agency or Ofsted, and without accreditation, 바카라사이트y cannot apply for highly trusted sponsor status, Mr Cornes said.

Without accreditation, he added, 바카라사이트 international student centres would have to reduce 바카라사이트ir student intake.

Mr Cornes said 바카라사이트 centres, which offer pre-degree foundation courses, are ¡°critical pathways for universities¡±.

He gave 바카라사이트 example of Study Group¡¯s centre at 바카라사이트 University of Sussex, which he said passes on 540 students a year, a stream that is ¡°worth a few million pounds¡±.

Mr Cornes added that one way around 바카라사이트 impasse would be for such centres to use 바카라사이트 highly trusted sponsor licences owned by universities if 바카라사이트y gave 바카라사이트ir permission.

While Mr Cornes admitted that ¡°바카라사이트re is a risk to universities¡± from such arrangements, he was confident that 바카라사이트 centres would perform well and that universities would agree to 바카라사이트m.

In 2009-10, ?2.4 billion of 바카라사이트 UK sector¡¯s ?26.4 billion income came from overseas student fees.

john.morgan@tlseducation.com