The UK cracks down on bogus education providers!

Thousands of Sri Lankan students choose the UK every year over other countries as their destination of choice for their higher education for more than one reason. With hundreds of universities and colleges of higher education delivering courses on everything from accountancy to zoology in a country renowned across the world for the quality of its research and the reputation of its academics, you will be sure of a successful future. The UK is committed to ensuring that international students are given access to this life changing experience.

That is why the United Kingdom Border Agency (UKBA) announced on October 30 a delivery plan for the student tier of the Australian-style points system. Under the new system, scheduled to be rolled out in March next year, colleges and universities who want to teach non-European Economic Area (EEA) nationals must have a licence issued by the UK Border Agency. Licensed institutions can then sponsor non-EEA students to come to study in the UK. Education providers should apply for a sponsor licence as soon as possible and no later than 2 February 2009 in order be ready for the start of implementation of Tier 4 in March 2009.

The new system will benefit international students ensuring them they are applying to bona fide educational institutions that have a sponsor licence.

The new system will clamp down on bogus institutions ensuring that international students are not taken advantage of whilst guaranteeing that Britain continues to benefit from the immensely bright international students that enter its borders. Since 1 January 2005, almost 300 bogus colleges have been removed from the Department for Universities and Skills Register of Education and Training Providers.

From March next year the following measures will come into effect: “All colleges and universities that want to recruit foreign students will need a sponsor licence; “Every student will need a licensed sponsor” Visas will be granted to those students who have a proven track record in education and are applying for a course that meets the minimum level of qualification and be able to demonstrate that they can financially support themselves and any of their dependants.

From Autumn 2009, the UK Border Agency will implement the ‘sponsor management system’ (SMS) - dedicated technology that will make it easier for universities and colleges to inform the UK Border Agency if students fail to enrol or miss more than ten sessions. UKBA has also announced contingency plans for the technology used in operating the SMS system. This comes in light of technology glitches missions have faced worldwide in recent changes to the UK visa operation. The High Commission continues to proactively seek methods to ensure that the transition to new processes is smooth and that technology is glitch-free to avoid any unnecessary visa delays.

The new implementation system will help to ensure that there is a structure that allows international students to benefit from the excellent educational experience the UK offers while, giving them the opportunity to work in the UK for two years following graduation. It is well known that an UK undergraduate qualification is respected and valued all over the world.

An UK undergraduate degree gives you the sort of experience you can’t put a price on: you’ll learn to think for yourself and to make your own decisions. You’re not just paying for lectures and practicals: throughout your course you’ll have access to fantastic libraries, state-of-the art laboratories, ultramodern computer facilities and extensive research resources.

Whilst there you will be immersed and be a part of a truly global community. Students from more than 180 different countries speaking over 100 different languages are currently studying for undergraduate qualifications in the UK. You can be part of the University cultural societies giving you the chance to understand other cultures and to introduce people to your own, giving you a social experiences that will shape your view and prepare you to face the challenges of globalisation.

Coming to the UK to study is also about finding inspiration and excitement outside your coursework as well as discovering new activities and ways to relax. The UK has an amazing cultural scene, which will be all around you wherever you choose to study. You can take a break from the books by being part of the vibrant student life that is like no where else. Apart from a wealth of clubs and societies on campus or in local communities, you can visit traditional museums, contemporary art spaces and galleries, with collections and exhibitions from all over the world. Sculpture, painting, video and photography are widely available to see in the UK.

The UK also has an incredibly vibrant theatre and performing arts heritage, maintaining both traditional plays and musicals but encouraging new and alternative productions too. For something a bit more energetic, the UK offers an incredible and beautiful landscape for walking, climbing, cycling, mountain biking and running. The mountains of Scotland and Wales, the rolling hills of England and Northern Ireland, the Lake District and the Yorkshire moors, as well as the coastline of all these parts of the UK will be all around you. As a student in the UK, the opportunities to have fulfilling student life are endless!

For more information please visit:

1. The Implementation Plan for Tier 4 of the PBS can be found at: www.bia.homeoffice.gov.uk

2. In March 2006 the Government published a Command Paper setting out the new PBS, ‘A points-based system: Making Migration work for Britain’. The new system consolidates the many complex routes into just five tiers. It is designed to facilitate entry to the UK of all those wanting to come to work, train and study.

A Statement of Intent for Tier 1 of the PBS was published in December 2007. The Command Paper and Statement of Intent can be found at www.bia.homeoffice.gov.uk 3. Tier 4 is one of five tiers of the PBS due to be rolled out over the next 12 months. It will be introduced in March of 2009. Tier 1, for highly skilled migrants, was introduced in February this year and Tier 2 (for skilled migrants) and Tier 5 (for primarily non-economic visitors) will come on-line this autumn.

4. Tier 3, which covers low skilled routes, will only be used if specific shortages are identified that cannot be filled from the UK’s domestic or European labour force.

British High Commission 389, Bauddhaloka Mawatha, Colombo 07. Tele: 5390639; Fax: 5390694 Visit us on: http://ukinsrilanka.fco.gov.uk