Immigration Matters » British Council

Prof AC Grayling in student smoke bomb attack during debate on private university

Charles Kelly — Wed, 08 Jun 2011 16:16:11 +0000

The renowned philosopher, 62, was shouted down by more than a dozen protesters – angry at his plans to open a new private college – during the debate about cuts to the arts at Foyles bookshop in central London.

At the end of the heated hour-long debate, during which Prof Grayling was verbally abused by students protesting against his plans, protesters set off the device.

Prof Grayling and the three other speakers were quickly ushered from the room, and into the back of the shop, as it filled with pungent red smoke just before 8pm.

Organisers were forced to evacuate about 100 people amid fears for the safety of the crowd just moments after the philosopher said he would talk to the protesters.

Prof Grayling had told the crowd he was willing to continue discussing his proposals, but that plan was abandoned by organisers after the smoke bomb attack.

It remains unclear who the protestors were, but many appeared to be students, angry about the decision to charge more than double the maximum tuition fees for courses.

Despite knowing about planned protests, organisers insisted on continuing the debate because they wanted a “free exchange of ideas”.

Prof Grayling, who will become the president of the New College of the Humanities (NCH) which will charge students fees of £18,000 each year, was heckled as he tried to talk about cuts to the arts.

The debate was his first public appearance since details of the institution were disclosed at the weekend.

The other speakers were Mick Gordon, an Irish theatre director, and Christopher Frayling, the former Arts Council chairman while the chair Al Senter, an arts journalist, struggled to control the crowd.

On several occasions, Prof Grayling was shouted down during the debate as he sought to defend the new institution.

As soon as joined in the discussion, someone from the crowd shouted: “You have no right to speak”.

Prof Grayling, who will be the college’s first Master, appeared taken aback by the protests although he insisted he “didn’t expect to change minds”.

Protesters started shouting at Prof Grayling: “AC Grayling get out, job cuts, money for the bosses.”

The debate was his first public appearance since details of the institution were disclosed at the weekend. Many protesters appeared to be students angry about the decision to charge more than double the maximum tuition fees for course.

As soon as the philosopher joined in the discussion, someone from the crowd shouted: “You have no right to speak”.

One protester said: “You should be defending public education, not deserting it.” Another shouted: “He may be a public intellect, but he is blinkered.”

Prof Grayling, who will be the college’s first Master, appeared to be taken aback by the protests.

He said: “We are in danger of losing sight of the importance to society of a higher education in the humanities.”

He later told reporters: “It is always upsetting of being the targets of attacks.

“Of course I am disasapointed to that we did not have an opportunity to debate the topic of the evening which was about cuts to the arts.

“And I would have been really happy to talk to the students afterwards as I offered to stay on afterwards. And talk to them and then the smoke bomb was set off and that ended the conversation.”

He added: “I didn’t expect to change minds there because I understand the real anxiety that people feel in higher education.

“I share with them the belief that we should as a society, we should invest in education at every level and invest properly.”

Sion Hamilton, the store’s manager, said: “We were aware of the proposed protest today, but chose not cancel the event because Foyles bookshop is a space for the free exchange of ideas and intelligent debate.

“Professor Grayling offered to answer students’ questions for 20 minutes after the scheduled event, we regret that one individual decided to curtail this opportunity for further discussion by letting off a smoke bomb at the end. We evacuated the room swiftly and safetly.”

The institution in London has received funds of up to £10 million from City financiers and its 14 professors. It is inviting applications from students for 2012.

Fees are twice as high as the maximum that can be charged by state-funded institutions. Its backers, several of whom are shareholders, insist this would allow them to offer the “highest quality” education. Source: The Telegraph

Predictably, the plans to open up the UK higher education market to high quality private competition have been criticised by academics as being ‘elitist’.

Why do international students choose to study in the UK?

Free service launched to help overseas students study at UK Universities

New Tier 4 Student Visa rules implemented 21 April 2011, but will students applying to private colleges be allowed to work?

Student visas can be cancelled if a student changes college without permission

International student numbers soar as UK remains an attractive place to study

If you need any immigration advice or are worried about the new immigration rules or need help with Sponsorship or Work Permits, Visa, ILR/Settlement, Citizenship, dependant visa or an appeal against a refusal please email:

info@immigrationmatters.co.uk or visit www.immigrationmatters.co.uk

Looking for a College or University?

Thousands of students are worried about the forthcoming Tier 4 visa changes next month on working rules for students at private colleges. Many are switching now to secure their ‘20 hours work’ per week rights.

Need student advice?

UKUS is a free University and College Admissions and advice service based in London, UK. Students interested in studying abroad can complete the Online UKUS Registration Form for more details.

Top British academics launch £18,000pa private college in London

Charles Kelly — Mon, 06 Jun 2011 00:27:38 +0000

A new British college aiming to rival Oxford and Cambridge has been launched by leading academics, the BBC reports.

New College of the Humanities will give a high-quality education to “gifted” undergraduates and a degree from the University of London, creators say.

The privately-owned London-based college will open in September 2012 and is planning to charge fees of £18,000.

The 14 professors involved include biologist Richard Dawkins and historian Sir David Cannadine.

Professor Dawkins is an emeritus fellow of New College, Oxford, as well as being the author of The God Delusion, and Sir David is a professor at Princeton University in the United States.

Based in Bloomsbury, central London, the new college will offer eight undergraduate humanities degrees taught by some of the world’s most prominent intellectuals, officials said.

Degrees cover five subject areas – law, economics, history, English literature and philosophy.

Students will also take three “intellectual skills” modules in science literacy, logic and critical thinking and applied ethics – which will result in them being awarded a Diploma of New College in addition to a University of London degree, making a combined award of BA Hons (London) DNC.

‘New model’

Professor AC Grayling, the philosopher who will be the college’s first Master, secured millions of pounds of funding from investors to set up the institution.

He said: “Our priorities at the college will be excellent teaching quality, excellent ratios of teachers to students, and a strongly supportive and responsive learning environment.

“Our students will be challenged to develop as skilled, informed and reflective thinkers, and will receive an education to match that aspiration.”

Prof Grayling is a professor of philosophy at Birkbeck College, University of London, and a fellow of St Anne’s College, Oxford.

The college claims to offer a “new model of higher education for the humanities in the UK”.

Students can apply immediately and assisted places will be offered to 20% of the first year’s intake.

Applicants need to meet the University of London minimum entrance requirements and be fully competent in English.

The college said its selection process will not be computerised, with each application considered “individually, personally and on its merits”.

It also has scholarships and “exhibition schemes” to “ensure that finance should not be a barrier to any talented UK student”.

The government has set fees in England’s public universities at a maximum of £9,000 from September next year. Source: BBC

The market for high quality private education, to rival government funded colleges and universities, is opening up.

With fees for local students going through the roof, some will choose lower cost private colleges to obtain their degrees and many may go to other EU countries where fees are lower.

Speaking on BBC Radio 4 this morning, Professor Grayling said the University College would offer far more than a normal humanities Degree and said that the higher fees reflected the ‘true cost’ of quality higher education.

Baroness Blackstone accused the college of only catering for the elite British and wealthy foreign students.

Free service launched to help overseas students study at UK Universities

New Tier 4 Student Visa rules implemented 21 April 2011, but will students applying to private colleges be allowed to work?

Student visas can be cancelled if a student changes college without permission

International student numbers soar as UK remains an attractive place to study

info@immigrationmatters.co.uk or visit www.immigrationmatters.co.uk

Looking for a College or University?

Need advice?

UKUS is a free University and College Admissions and advice service based in London, UK. Students interested in studying abroad can complete the Online UKUS Registration Form for more details.

A bad news week for two care home groups as recruitment crises looms

Charles Kelly — Wed, 01 Jun 2011 20:31:59 +0000

Widespread abuse secretly filmed by the BBC at a Bristol residential hospital has been condemned as “shocking” by the government.

It comes after police arrested and later bailed four people over the treatment of patients with learning difficulties at Winterbourne View.

Care Services Minister Paul Burstow said he was determined to strengthen safeguards for vulnerable adults.

The care watchdog said there was an “unforgivable error of judgement” in not investigating earlier abuse claims.

During five weeks spent filming undercover, BBC Panorama’s reporter captured footage of some of the hospital’s most vulnerable patients being repeatedly pinned down, slapped, dragged into showers while fully clothed, taunted and teased.

NHS South West said it had been “appalled” by the issues raised.

The hospital’s owners, Castlebeck, have apologised and suspended 13 employees.

Avon and Somerset police confirmed three men – aged 42, 30 and 25 – and a 24-year-old woman were arrested as part of their investigation into the hospital.

Mr Burstow said: “The abuse of people with learning disabilities at Winterbourne View uncovered by Panorama is shocking. There can be no place for such inhumanity in care services.

“There have been failures of inspection and adult protection which have exposed people to appalling abuse.

“I am determined to strengthen the system of safeguarding to protect vulnerable adults from abuse.”

Mr Burstow said he had already ordered a thorough examination of the roles of both government regulator, the Care Quality Commission (CQC), and the local authorities.

CQC chairman Dame Jo Williams admitted the failure to follow up the reports of a whistleblower – a senior nurse at the home – had been an “unforgivable error of judgement”.

She said the CQC was conducting a “root-and-branch review” to find out why that had happened.

Dame Jo, who said she had no plans to resign, told BBC Radio 4’s PM programme: “I am absolutely determined that we must do better.”

She said the whistleblower had apparently contacted the CQC two or three times: “Once should have been enough. We have to listen to the people who are brave enough to raise their concerns.”

She said each CQC inspector had a caseload of about 50 homes but she said it was too early to say if their heavy workload was to blame.

NHS South West said it was “appalled” by the issues raised surrounding the care home.

In a statement, it said: “We always expect safe, high-quality care from providers of services and the abuse of vulnerable patients is totally unacceptable.”

Warnings ignored

The programme decided to film secretly after being approached by former senior nurse Terry Bryan, who was deeply concerned about the behaviour of some of the support workers at the home.

“I have seen a lot over 35 years but this I have never seen anything like this. It is the worst I have seen,” he told the programme.

Mr Bryan reported his concerns to both management at Winterbourne View and to the CQC, but his complaint was not taken up.

The CQC said it was alerted to the allegations on 12 May 2011 by Panorama reporter Paul Kenyon and carried out unannounced inspections on 17, 18 and 24 May.

There is currently a team from the local mental health primary care trust at Winterbourne View and the CQC is making regular informal visits.

The CQC had also written to Mr Burstow proposing the launch of a programme of risk-based and random unannounced inspections of a sample of the 150 hospitals providing care for people with learning disabilities, a move which the minister backed.

Patients moved

Castlebeck has launched an internal investigation into their whistle-blower procedures and are reviewing the records of all 580 patients in 56 facilities.

Winterbourne View can accommodate 24 patients and is taxpayer-funded, charging the state an average of £3,500 per patient per week.

NHS South West said: “Following initial checks, and a subsequent inspection by the CQC it has been agreed that patients should move to alternative facilities at the earliest opportunity.”

It said: “Primary care trusts in the South West which commissioned placements at the unit have carried out an urgent review of the processes used to commission and review privately provided services. The outcome will be fed into the wider multi-agency safeguarding review.”

The Independent Safeguarding Authority, which maintains a list of people barred from working with vulnerable people, also expressed its shock at the footage.

ISA chairman Sir Roger Singleton said: “We would like to take this opportunity to remind employers that in cases of this nature, they are under a legal duty to refer the person to the ISA, so that we can consider whether they should be barred from working or volunteering with vulnerable adults and/or children.”

Panorama’s Undercover Care: The Abuse Exposed was broadcast on BBC One on Tuesday 31 May at 2100 BST and is available to view in the UK on the BBC iPlayer. Source: BBC

Another care home group in the news this week is loss making Southern Cross, the UK’s biggest care home provider, which is seeking to reduce rents paid to its landlords.

The government has pledged to ensure “effective protection” for the 30,000 plus residents.

The group employs thousands of overseas workers including Senior Carers and Nurses on work permits and Tier 4 student visas.

Following the introduction of the cap on immigration, which effectively started last year, care industry employers are finding it increasingly difficult to recruit trained staff. Social Care Workers no longer qualify under Tier 2 of the points based system, as the bar has been raised to NVQ/QCF level 4 management positions.

The clampdown on working hours for students is also having an effect on care home staffing levels and new Tier 4 student visa rules to be implemented in July will not help the industry.

Overseas workers worried about their future visa status should seek professional advice.

See article:

UK Border Agency launch new website

The newly revised UK Border Agency website has a better look and feel and navigation seems faster, but previously published links to specific pages of the site may no longer exist.

For instance, the link for European Workers is now:

http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/eucitizens/bulgaria-romania/work-permits/applying/

The link for ‘Bulgarian and Romanian nationals‘ is:

http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/eucitizens/bulgaria-romania/work-permits/

The UK Border Agency and Home Office website contains a vast amount of information which can be difficult to wade your way through the guidance and Immigration Rules.

The navigation section for European workers from Bulgaria and Romania also appears to have been simplified although finding specific information is still a challenge.

Confusion remains over the need for Bulgarians and Romanians applying for BR1 Yellow Cards as students to take out Comprehensive Sickness Insurance cover.

The BR1 Form in Section 9 states:

‘If sections 4 (Students) and 5 (Self-sufficient) have been completed: evidence of ‘Comprehensive Sickness Insurance’ cover in the UK and funds to show you are economically self-sufficient, e.g. a bank statement.’

In other words, the paragraph means you need comprehensive sickness insurance only if you are applying under both ‘student’ and ‘self sufficient’ sections.

Nevertheless, student applicants are being asked to take out private medical insurance policies and are being refused if they fail to supply the correct cover.

What is the correct insurance cover?

One insurance company manager told Immigration Matters that he has been trying to get clarification on the exact requirements from the UK Border Agency for several weeks.

Active Quote offers an easy to use online quotation and application system, but also has telephone support from advisers who are on hand to answer questions.

To obtain a quotation for Comprehensive Sickness Insurance visit the Active Quote website.

See article:

UK Border Agency launch new website

The newly revised UK Border Agency website has a better look and feel and navigation seems faster, but previously published links to specific pages of the site may no longer exist.

For instance, the link for European Workers is now:

http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/eucitizens/bulgaria-romania/work-permits/applying/

The link for ‘Bulgarian and Romanian nationals‘ is:

http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/eucitizens/bulgaria-romania/work-permits/

The UK Border Agency and Home Office website contains a vast amount of information which can be difficult to wade your way through the guidance and Immigration Rules.

The navigation section for European workers from Bulgaria and Romania also appears to have been simplified although finding specific information is still a challenge.

Confusion remains over the need for Bulgarians and Romanians applying for BR1 Yellow Cards as students to take out Comprehensive Sickness Insurance cover.

The BR1 Form in Section 9 states:

In other words, the paragraph means you need comprehensive sickness insurance only if you are applying under both ‘student’ and ‘self sufficient’ sections.

Nevertheless, student applicants are being asked to take out private medical insurance policies and are being refused if they fail to supply the correct cover.

What is the correct insurance cover?

One insurance company manager told Immigration Matters that he has been trying to get clarification on the exact requirements from the UK Border Agency for several weeks.

Active Quote offers an easy to use online quotation and application system, but also has telephone support from advisers who are on hand to answer questions.

To obtain a quotation for Comprehensive Sickness Insurance visit the Active Quote website.

Yes, “Established Presence” and Court Actions affect your Student Visa Extension

Tier 4 student visa changes: Game Set and Match to Universities?

Student visas can be cancelled if a student changes college without permission

Ageing Western populations and falling birth rates – a demographic time bomb

info@immigrationmatters.co.uk or visit www.immigrationmatters.co.uk

Immigration News Weekly Round up 29 May 2011

Charles Kelly — Sun, 29 May 2011 00:45:14 +0000

Student visas can be cancelled if a student changes college without permission

Their new providers seemed quite happy to enrol them without bothering to take up a reference from the previous college or offering any advice to the student. This can have serious repercussions for the student later on down the road when it comes to renewing their visas without an ‘established presence’ in the UK.

Net UK immigration soars

Immigration flows have hit their highest level for six years with numbers increasing from Eastern Europe, The Telegraph reports.

Lewisham ‘fake ID factory’ couple sentenced

A couple from south east London have admitted running a factory that made fake passports and identity documents, the UK Border Agency reports.

How you can come to study on a short course in the UK as a student visitor

The student visitor visa should not be confused with the points based Tier 4 student visa. You should apply for a student visitor visa if you want to come to the UK to do a short course of study, not longer than six months, during your visit.

French minister says foreign bricklayers and waiters are not needed

France’s Interior Minister has launched an attack on the number of immigrant ‘waiters and bricklayers’ flooding into his country – saying they are not needed, the Daily Mail reports.

Judges block UK Government’s attempt to deport terrorists

Should the Home Secretary have the power to exclude from entering the United Kingdom those people she has reasonable grounds for thinking pose a threat to the safety and security of the rest of us?

info@immigrationmatters.co.uk or visit www.immigrationmatters.co.uk

Looking for a college or University?

UKUS is a free University and College Admissions and advice service based in London, UK. Students interested in studying abroad can complete the Online UKUS Registration Form for more details.

Student visas can be cancelled if a student changes college without permission

Charles Kelly — Sat, 28 May 2011 00:48:31 +0000

As thousands of international students move from college to college, care needs to be taken to ensure you stay on the right side of the law. One wrong move and you could find your visa being cancelled by the UK Border Agency.

Immigration Adviser Cynthia Barker has dealt with number of students whose Tier 4 and pre-Tier 4 visas were suddenly curtailed by the border agency within weeks of their former college reporting their premature departure. She said:

“We have seen student’s visas cancelled shortly after they stop attending the college which granted them permission.”

Some of these students had left their college without completing their course and without applying for new permission. In many cases they also owed substantial sums in unpaid fees.

Cynthia continued:

“If you have changed college, do you have the new permission from UKBA? Also, has your new college checked your reference and attendance record from the previous college? These factors can affect your leave to remain.”

Cynthia added that “students should check their visa and student status as holding a visa does not guarantee your stay in the UK”.

Tier 4 student visa changes: Game Set and Match to Universities?

Post Study Work Visa to be abolished April 2012 as part of student visa clampdown

Why do international students choose to study in the UK?

International student numbers soar as UK remains an attractive place to study

Free service launched to help overseas students study at UK Universities

Looking for a college or University?

UKUS is a free University and College Admissions and advice service based in London, UK. Students interested in studying abroad can complete the Online UKUS Registration Form for more details.

info@immigrationmatters.co.uk or visit www.immigrationmatters.co.uk

UK Border Agency criticised over intelligence-led approach

Charles Kelly — Fri, 13 May 2011 08:49:07 +0000

Failings in the way the UK Border Agency uses intelligence to tackle illegal immigration has been criticised in a report by its independent chief inspector the BBC says.

John Vine said intelligence was used inconsistently and the outcome of allegations was not always tracked.

He also warned some staff could be disproportionately targeting some nationalities.

Ministers say the UKBA’s “intelligence-led” approach is focusing resources where they were most needed.

100,000 intelligence reports a year

The agency receives about 100,000 pieces of intelligence a year, often reports of people working illegally.

But the report said the agency couldn’t say how much of this information led to investigators apprehending illegal workers, or those trying to enter the UK unlawfully.

“There is a real need for the agency to focus more rigorously on the actual outcome of intelligence,” said Mr Vine.

“There is insufficient understanding across the agency of the role that intelligence should play and whether or not it is the driving force for meeting objectives.

“The agency should have a clearer idea of how the use of intelligence contributes to preventing and detecting immigration and customs offences.”

Mr Vine said the inspection had found examples of the UKBA using intelligence well, such as in some drug seizures. But there were instances where it was not clear what had been achieved.

‘Knowledge and experience’

In one case, the UKBA was tipped off that a dozen people were arriving on student visas from Sri Lanka, intending to work illegally. But the agency had no record of whether officers had identified the suspects and what had happened to them.

“Overall, the agency was not able to identify the proportion of allegations that had resulted in people being prevented from entering the UK or which had led to enforcement action,” said the report.

“In the absence of this data, it makes it very difficult to judge how significant allegations are to the effective identification of offenders, the level of resources that should be devoted to handling allegations and the most effective systems to facilitate this.”

At some ports, frontline staff were using different methods to identify suspects – but there was no evidence that the range of techniques were being evaluated to see if they led to more legitimate stops.

This meant it was not clear whether some staff were using “knowledge and experience” to identify suspects or simply discriminating on basis of nationality or ethnicity.

The agency is currently cutting 20% of its spending. Mr Vine’s report reveals that it is reducing the number of seconded police officers from 220 to 60, replacing them with its own staff.

Andrew Green from campaign group Migration Watch said the report highlighted some serious shortcomings within the agency.

“The ability to remove people who have no right to be in this country is absolutely fundamental to the credibility of the entire immigration system. Remember, we issue something like two million visas a year and if we can’t remove those who stay on illegally then we’re all wasting our time,” he said.

Immigration minister Damian Green said: “Enforcement activity is the cornerstone of our new immigration system and our intelligence-led approach means we are working smarter; focusing resources where they matter the most.

“We have already launched two nationwide campaigns to close bogus colleges, tackle illegal working and reduce sham marriages.

“Using intelligence from a variety of sources, including members of the public, we carried out 1,400 arrests, 330 prosecutions and 260 removals.”

On BBC Radio 4 this morning Damian Green said that reports had led to the suspension of licences of seventy ‘bogus colleges’ in the last year. Source: BBC.

Free service launched to help overseas students study at UK Universities

Rules for European workers in the UK

UK Border Agency taking tough line on illegal working but employers are still confused

CYNTHIA BARKER SAYS EMPLOYERS WHO ISSUE TIER 2 CERTIFICATES IN ERROR SHATTER MIGRANT WORKERS’ LIVES

YES, SENIOR CARERS ARE HAVING PROBLEMS OBTAINING ILR UNDER 5 YEAR RULE

info@immigrationmatters.co.uk or visit www.immigrationmatters.co.uk

Glasgow Caledonian University gets Tier 4 sponsorship licence back within weeks of suspension

Charles Kelly — Fri, 13 May 2011 00:10:15 +0000

Scottish University’s Filipino Students safe as their sponsor’s Tier 4 status has been restored by the UK Border Agency just weeks after their licence to recruit overseas students was suspended.

In a very short space of time, the Home Office or UK Border Agency (UKBA) has reinstated the highly prized license which allows education establishments, such as Glasgow Caledonian University, sponsor foreign students to study in the UK.

Balita Pinoy reported that the move by the UKBA stunned the university’s management.

Glasgow Caledonian University (GCU) had been told 3 weeks ago that its license, in reality known as the Tier 4 Highly Trusted Sponsor status, was being withdrawn by the UKBA, and that the university had 28 days to show good cause why the license should not be withdrawn permanently.

The university had approximately 140 non-EU Tier 4 students studying on a nursing course, most of whom are Filipinos. What appeared to be the crux of the UKBA’s original complaint had been that the students were breaching the hours they are permitted to undertake paid employment as part of their tuition process. This was not in fact the case Balita Pinoy reported.

The problem in effect was that UKBA had been under the impression that the students were not actually studying. In fact GCU were utilising their on-line tuition system for students – distance learning.

This anomaly has now been resolved, and all students will have to study at the campus for 50% of their course work.

Despite the breach, the UK Border Agency has reinstated Glasgow Caledonian University’s Tier 4 Highly Trusted Sponsor status with immediate effect with no downgrade or sanction.

An insider at the university who wished to remain anonymous told Balita Pinoy that ‘the UKBA’s original suspension decision had been disproportionate, and that they had clearly shown that the university were not in the business of breaking immigration laws’.

This follows the university’s full co-operation with the UK Border Agency in addressing concerns specific to a group of international students on its BSc Nursing Professional Development programme.

GCU’s Principal and Vice-Chancellor Professor Pamela Gillies said:

“Our strong international reputation is very important to us and we are grateful for the support and endorsement we received from students, staff, friends and partners as we moved through this process. We are pleased but not surprised by the reinstatement and look forward to delivering our range of exciting plans for the future.

“This has been a challenging time for our university and we have worked swiftly and constructively with the UKBA.

“The agency has commended us for the way in which we responded to the situation and we are keen to work together with them to share this experience with the sector so that others may avoid this process”.

Balita Pinoy contacted the Home Office for a statement and Acting Chief Executive of the UK Border Agency Jonathan Sedgwick said:

“I can confirm that the suspension of Glasgow Caledonian University’s Tier four licence has been lifted. We had legitimate concerns which the University has worked with us to address and we are now satisfied they are complying with our rules.

“Highly Trusted Sponsors must ensure that students are attending the course for which they are enrolled. The UK Border Agency takes compliance very seriously and carries out regular checks. We retain the right to suspend a sponsor’s licence where we find evidence they are not fulfilling their duties”. Source: Balita Pinoy

Despite recent changes, the UK still has a simple, transparent points based system (PBS) for student visa applications.

In the UK, all a student has to do is gain 40 points (and demonstrate a relatively low level of English language capability) under the streamlined and transparent ’Points Based System’, 30 of which comes from a Tier 4 licensed Sponsoring educational provider (which can be checked on the Tier 4 Sponsors Register) and 10 by demonstrating sufficient funds, and a student visa is virtually guaranteed.

British Embassy Visa Sections take a matter of weeks or days to grant a UK student visas (which can be obtain by applying online), rather than months for some countries, and rarely involve an interview. Almost 300,000 student visas were granted in 2010 for UK Universities, Colleges and private Schools and the sector is worth billions to the British economy.

International students studying at Universities and government colleges will retain the right to work part time up to 20 hours per week and full time during vacations.

The UK is also a multi-cultural, tolerant society where migrants and students will find a safe environment in which to study or work.

Source: UK University Services (UKUS) News

International student numbers soar as UK remains an attractive place to study

Free service launched to help overseas students study at UK Universities

UKUS is a free University and College Admissions and Advice Service based in London, UK. Students interested in studying abroad can complete the Online UKUS Registration Form for more details.

Government rejects ‘university places for rich’ plan

Charles Kelly — Wed, 11 May 2011 00:25:33 +0000

UK Prime Minister David Cameron has rejected suggestions the government is considering allowing wealthy students to pay for extra university places.

“There is no question of people being able to buy their way into university,” Mr Cameron told the BBC.

Universities Minister David Willetts said extra places could be funded by businesses or charities and not wealthy individuals.

The upfront fees would be similar to those charged to international students wishing to study at UK Universities.

But Labour’s John Denham accused the government of a “humiliating u-turn”.

Mr Willetts had to face questions in the House of Commons over proposals to create extra university places in England which would not depend upon public funding.

In angry exchanges, the minister told MPs that he was considering plans to make it easier for employers and charities to fund additional places – but “rich individuals should not be able to buy their way into universities”.

Shadow Business Secretary John Denham attacked the government for a “humiliating climbdown” – and said there were many questions unanswered how any extra places would be allocated.

“I think it is clear that the government still intends to create a two tier system – one method of entry for the most able, another for those with access to private funds from one source or another,” said Mr Denham.

There were also questions from MPs about what types of organisations could sponsor their own extra places – would it include independent schools with charitable status or trusts set up for their children by wealthy families.

Mr Cameron had earlier moved to quash the idea that there should be a different system of places for wealthy students – saying that Mr Willetts had not intended that.

“That is not going to happen. That is not our policy… The government’s policy is absolutely clear that university access is about the ability to learn and not the ability to pay,” said Mr Cameron.

At present, universities can create extra places and set their own fees for overseas students – and there were suggestions that a forthcoming White Paper would allow such flexibility to be extended to wealthy UK students.

This would mean that universities would be able to create more places for self-funded students, outside of the quota of publicly-funded places.

Speaking on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme, Mr Willetts had said: “People are coming to us with innovative ideas about how you could liberalise the system – so that it would be possible for extra people to get to university.”

Any such proposals would have to comply with the government’s support for social mobility, he said.

But with such strong political sensitivity around tuition fees and social mobility, the government was forced to clarify that such changes would not mean any priority university entrance for the privileged.

“There is no question of wealthy students being able to buy a place at university. Access to a university must be based on ability to learn not ability to pay,” said a statement from Mr Willetts.

There had already been an angry reaction from students and lecturers at the prospect of extra places being created for students rich enough to fund themselves through a degree course.

Aaron Porter, president of the National Union of Students, said such a scheme would “create a two-tier system that allows the richest, less able applicants a second bite at the university cherry and denies low and middle-income students the same opportunity”.

“It simply cannot be the case that daddy’s money can buy you a place at this university. Off-quota places are a badly disguised attempt to completely remove the cap on fees,” said Rahul Mansigani, president of Cambridge University students’ union.

“Far from increasing social mobility, it is hard to see how this is anything other than the government entrenching privilege for the wealthy in response to its failing university fees policy,” said the UCU lecturers’ union leader, Sally Hunt.

“We risk turning the clock back to a time when breeding rather than brains were required to get on in life.”

“This manifestly unfair and elitist policy smacks of total desperation from a government whose universities policy is in freefall,” said David Barclay, president of Oxford University Student Union.

Sir Peter Lampl, chairman of the Sutton Trust education charity, said: “This proposal is likely to deal a serious blow to social mobility, allowing the better-off to buy advantage in the university system, just as they do in the school system.”

But there was also support for the idea of allowing universities greater freedom over creating extra places.

Andy Westwood, chief executive of the Guild HE group of universities, said that it could give universities more flexibility over the number of places they could offer for poorer students.

“Providing off-quota places can be socially progressive,” said Mr Westwood.

“With the right incentives, this could lead to more innovative and flexible choices such as part-time, intensive and modular courses, with ‘pay as you go’ options,” he said.

The proposals are being considered as part of a government White Paper on higher education set to be published next month.

At present, the government sets a quota for publicly-funded university places each year – and the idea of “off quota” places is that universities could create additional places for those students who did not have to borrow loans to pay tuition fees.

There are already companies such as KPMG which have plans to sponsor students through university – creating such “off quota” places. Source: BBC.

UK University Services (UKUS) is a worldwide University Admissions and Advice Service based in London.

For advice on how to apply for a course of study – in the UK, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Spain, Italy, Poland, or Ireland – complete the online UKUS Registration Form.

If you would like to become an International Agent, identifying, introducing, and advising students from your country who wish to travel to the UK to study, please apply by sending your company profile/CV and a brief outline of your plans for introducing students to

‘UKUS International Agent Team’ at the following email address: ukuniversityservices@gmail.com

International students numbers soar as UK remains an attractive place to study

Why do international students choose to study in the UK?

Charles Kelly — Tue, 10 May 2011 00:00:47 +0000

According to a recent Student Survey… it’s a question of quality

In February 2007, the British Council launched the on-line global Student Decision Making Survey, which asks potential students a range of questions. These are students in their home country who are interested in studying abroad or pursuing a foreign qualification in their home country. The survey captures why students want to study overseas, what they are looking for in an institution, location and course, where they look for information and much more.

Throughout 2007, the survey was run in over 30 countries, on-line and at education exhibitions, attracting over 32,000 respondents. This was built upon in 2008, and a further 40,000 responses were captured. The British Council continues to collect data from prospective students every day.

At the end of 2010, the data collected from 115,000 students in 200 countries showed that the quality of a UK education was a major factor in persuading them to travel to the UK to study.

What influences an overseas student’s decision to travel abroad to study?

59% of those heading for the UK said the quality of education available in the UK was the key.
38% of those heading for the US were most likely to focus on their career prospects.
25% of those heading for Germany saw low tuition fees as a priority.
24% of those heading for Australia and Canada considered the opportunity to work whilst studying a major factor.

50% of all students studying outside their home nations travel to one of five countries to study

19% travel to study in the US
10% travel to study in the UK
7% travel to study in Australia
7% travel to study in Germany
7% travel to study in France

Low tuition fees are not a major consideration for many
Interestingly, only 10% said that low tuition fees were in their top three considerations, leading the study to conclude that the “cost of studying overseas does not feature strongly when students are choosing a study destination”.

UK is a market leader
The report notes that, whilst it faces increasing competition from other nations providing an education for overseas students, the UK is still “a market leader” in university services.

To register your application to become an international student… contact UKUS via the Online UKUS Registration Form

Student Visa Hurdle

The British Council survey throws up some interesting points on quality and work options.

Whilst the visas did not appear to be a major factor in the survey, to students from poorer countries obtaining a student visa is one of the main considerations when choosing where to study.

A British, German or French student wishing to study at an American or Canadian university would barely think about obtaining a student visa when making a decision, and the thought of being refused a US visa would not even enter their minds.

Contrast that with the perception of a student from Africa, Bangladesh, Pakistan or the Philippines, where even the idea of obtaining a visitor visa for the US or Canada seems like an impossible dream then you begin to understand how the ‘visa hurdle’ loom large in their minds.

Despite recent changes, the UK still has a simple, transparent points based system (PBS) for student visa applications.

International students studying at Universities and government colleges will retain the right to work part time up to 20 hours per week and full time during vacations.

The UK is also a multi-cultural, tolerant society where migrants and students will find a safe environment in which to study or work.

Source: UK University Services (UKUS) News

International Student of the Year 2011 results from British Council

Charles Kelly — Sat, 07 May 2011 20:13:49 +0000

The Shine! International Student Awards 2011 is an exciting and prestigious competition celebrating the achievements and contributions of International students studying in the UK.

Shine! is a major initiative from the British Council that shines the spotlight on international students and their contributions to life in the UK.

When voting for the 2011 competition closed, 12 regional winners were announced from more than 1200 entries!

The overall International Student of the Year 2011 was announced at a glamorous award ceremony, hosted by TV presenter Angelica Bell and Radio One DJ Nihal in London.

As well as adding this impressive achievement to their CV, each regional winner takes home £1000 and James Xi Xu, from China, managed to add a further £1000 after he won the prestigious International Student of the Year! 2011 award.

During his time in England, studying at a university college in London, James has been involved with a considerable amount of fundraising work for the victims of natural disasters in Pakistan and Haiti. He will also be selecting and working with volunteers during the 2012 Olympics.

Source: UK University Services (UKUS) http://www.uk-universityservices.co.uk/ukus-news/britishcouncilinternationalstudentoftheyear2011

To register your application to be an international student…contact UKUS via the Registration Form