Student visas: Government responds to pressure from education sector
(PressMethod) - Alan Johnson's announcement of tougher student visa rules requiring applicants to speak a certain level of English represents a victory for the education sector, which united in protest against the proposed changes to the points based student visa system.
Of the eight recommendations proposed by the UKBA in the review announced by Gordon Brown in November last year, only one has been implemented. The most controversial of the proposals - to raise the minimum qualification level for non-EU student visa applicants to NQF4* - was refused after universities, industry bodies, such as Universities UK and private education providers united in protest. A petition on the Downing Street website against the proposals secured 8,000 signatures.
James Pitman, Managing Director at Study Group, the UK's largest independent provider of international students to the HE sector, commented:
"The government has listened to our concerns about proposed changes that would have crippled an education and training export industry that earns universities �5.3 billion and the economy �32 billion annually, and is responsible for around 28,000 jobs in HE alone. Over half of all international students entering universities in the UK each year do so via A-levels or foundation courses taken in Britain, and we are delighted that this route to higher education will remain open to legitimate students, thanks to the government's decision not to change the minimum qualification for visa applications.
"We think that the measures to require a certain standard of English announced yesterday by Mr Johnson could be sensible. However, they should be carefully considered and applied only to those countries that represent a genuine threat to national security so as not to jeopardise our share of other markets. It would be a shame for students from China and government sponsored students from the Middle East, for example, to be deterred from applying by more complex application procedure that was designed to prevent would-be terrorists from high risk countries such as Pakistan from accessing the UK on student visas. Foreign students naturally want to come to the UK to learn English and we have a very successful EFL sector here which would be damaged by a broad application of raised minimum English levels, so targeted implementation is essential.
"We also await clarity from the UKBA on how the minimal level of English will be assessed, a definition of sub-GCSE level and further information on the introduction of a 'Highly Trusted Sponsors List'.
"The British education system is renowned for taking a global approach to its teaching, providing a strong multi-cultural learning environment in which students learn to empathise with and accommodate international perspectives. Many international graduates go on to forge successful careers after higher education, and the positive learning experience and relationships formed in this country will only strengthen future diplomatic ties between Britain and other global players. We need to ensure that Britain continues to welcome international students to our universities."
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