New 2008 UK Student Immigration Rules
British Government Introduces New Rules for International Students
Oct 9, 2008
At the end of July 2008, the UK government revealed its plans for stricter immigration controls for international students hoping to study and British universities and colleges.
New Role for Universities as Guardians of Immigration
The government's new immigration rules will involve the universities as enforcers of the rules and they will be expected to be able to show that they have put in place appropriate policies. Universities will have to do this in order for them to be awarded a coveted "A" rating as a Tier 4 sponsor under the new immigration system which is based system.
The rules are part of the government’s plans to identify and close down colleges that abuse the system by encouraging illegal immigration without offering genuine qualifications.
Requirements on Universities
British universities are currently seeking registration which requires them to show they have been examined by an official body for the quality of their teaching or that they hold valid accreditation from a body approved by the UK Border Agency.
The Border Agency will also have to approve the qualification awarded on any university or college course enrolling international students. In addition, universities will be liable to have their HR systems examined by the Border Agency to see whether there have been previous lapses in compliance over immigration law. Failure to "pass" this examination could lead to a university losing its licence to act as a "sponsor".
Sponsorship means that a university must take responsibility for its international students whilst they are in the UK and this means they must:
- Maintain up to date records of the students’ contact details
- Keep copies of international students’ passports and of their entitlement to study in the UK
- Keep the Border Agency informed about any significant changes in a student’s circumstances, including changes to the course
- Allow a student a maximum of 10 days before telling the Border Agency about a student who fails to enrol on a course they have been admitted to
- Tell the Border Agency whenever a student misses 10 "expected contacts", events such as tutorials or coursework submission
- Tell the Agency if students withdraw from their courses or if they decide to defer their programmes of study. If they do either of these, they no longer have permission to stay in the UK and must leave.
Requirements on Students
Among the new requirements being laid on international students by the UK government is one that they must have enough money to support themselves while they are in the country. For a course lasting more than 12 months, a student will require to have £9,600. This is in addition to their course fees for the first year of the course. For each dependent a student brings, a further £535 will be required. Students must also submit to having their fingerprints taken.
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