English Language Courses in South West England
Learn English at a language school, college or university in South West England
Mouse over image to move
Click on dots to see destination
Changes to the Tier 4 General Student Visa
UKBA has recently announced some additional changes to conditions for obtaining and studying in the UK on a General Student Visa. This mainly affects students from outside the European Union who wish to travel to the UK to study for more than 6 months.
These changes and the reasons behind them are controversial and have led to a number of organisations, including some member schools of English UK South West, to contact Members of Parliament to protest these changes and their implimentation.
First of all, to detail some recent changes: in addition to the CAS (online Confirmation of Acceptance of Studies) system starting on 22 February 2010 (from which visa letters are no longer accepted for a visa application form), a number of other changes have taken place:
A new visa application form has been produced for applications in the UK and the self assessment form for overseas application has also been updated (Form VAF9 remains unchanged).
It has become mandatory for sponsors to report students to UKBA about no-shows and non-attendance via the Sponsor Management System.
The guidance document for students has been updated and UKBA have also produced a Q&A for students.
Changes which came into force on 3 March 2010 have:
halved the amount of time students studying below degree level (except students on foundation degrees) can work during term time from 20 to 10 hours a week;
banned students who are studying on courses of six months or less from bringing their dependants with them to the UK, and; banned the dependants of students studying below degree level (except foundation degree students) from working unless they qualify in their own right under Tier 1 (General) as a highly skilled migrant or as a skilled worker under Tier 2 General, Sportsperson or Minister of Religion.
raised the bar for English language studies (except for pre-sessional courses and those students who are government sponsored) from level A2 (beginner) on the Common European Framework for Reference (CEFR) to B2 (intermediate), and require such students to be at level B1 to qualify to enter under Tier 4.
More changes are expected to follow, including making students demonstrate their English level through approved secure tests, and the creation of a Highly Trusted Sponsor category for UK schools. From April 6, only those with Highly Trusted Status will be able to offer courses at National Qualifications Framework level 3 (and its equivalents) and courses with work placements below degree level.
Finally, visa fees for applications overseas will rise to £199 from 6 April 2010 although visa fees for applications in the UK will remain unchanged for 2010-2011.
Article by Dean Jones (08/03/10)
Created by Spoton Corporation: Web Design Devon
Bookmark this site
