New Rules for International Students – British Home Office

New Rules for International Students – British Home Office
(from the UK Visa Bureau)

Last week, the British Home Office announced the new Australian-style points-based system for international students in the UK, known as Tier 4 under Home Office rules.

Under the new system for UK student visas, all universities and colleges wanting to educate nationals from outside the European Economic Area (EEA) will need a licence to do so.

As of March next year, only those licensed universities and colleges will be able to sponsor overseas non-EEA students to study in the UK.

Further, before studying at a UK licensed educational facility, foreign students will have to supply fingerprints and meet new criteria to be allowed to study in the UK.

The new system involves a ‘sponsor management system’, which includes a technology system that allows licensed sponsors to inform the UK Border Agency if students do not attend a required amount of classes.

Immigration Minister Phil Woolas said, “International students contribute £2.5bn to the UK economy in tuition fees alone. The student tier of the points system means Britain can continue to recruit good students from outside Europe.

“Those who come to Britain must play by the rules and benefit the country. This new route for students will ensure we know exactly who is coming here to study and stamp out bogus colleges which facilitate the lawbreakers.”

Click here to read the full release from the UK Visa Bureau.

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Posted in International Education, International Financial Aid News, Study in the UK