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  • RNFR
  • Jun, Tue, 2010
Uncategorized

New Government Policy on Immigration capping is questioned

New official figures published on Thursday 27 May show a continued decline in net immigration to the UK. If current trends persist, net immigration may drop below 100,000 – putting the government on course to reach its much stated aim of reducing the level to “tens of thousands, rather than hundreds of thousands.”
Figures released by the Office of National Statistics and the Home Office show:
  • Net migration to the UK (the surplus of people immigrating over people emigrating) in the year to September 2009 [1] was 142,000. This compares with 160,000 in the year to September 2008 – a decline of more than 11%.
  • Declining net emigration by British citizens included in this figure disguises an even more dramatic fall in net immigration by non-British citizens, which was just 185,000 in the year to September 2009, down almost 27% on the year to 2008 and compared with peaks of well over 300,000 in 2004/05.
  • Most striking is the fact that the UK is now seeing net emigration by citizens of A8 countries, for the first time since EU accession – 12,000 more A8 citizens left than arrived in the year to September 2009.
Tim Finch, Head of Migration at ippr, said:
‘Until we know the number at which the new Government is going cap annual immigration it is impossible to be sure what impact it will have. But the latest figures raise questions over why it is needed at all, given that net immigration is declining anyway.
‘Certainly, trying to cap immigration at artificially low levels, whatever the pressures of public opinion, would be counter productive as it would restrict the ability of UK employers to bring in highly-skilled workers and workers in shortage occupations which would only harm both public services like the NHS and the economic recovery.’


  • RNFR
  • Jun, Sat, 2010
Uncategorized

Schools to become Academies

The new government is pleasing all schools in England to become academies and encouraging parents to set up their own schools. 
What is an academy?
Academies are publicly-funded schools which operate outside of local authority control. They have more freedom than other schools in the state sector over issues such as teachers’ pay and how the school is governed.
They also have greater freedom to digress from the national curriculum. Academies are established with government cash. They are often housed in new state-of the-art buildings and there are currently 203 of them in England.
What is a free school?
Free schools were Education Secretary Michael Gove’s flagship policy in the run-up to the general election. The aim is to give parents’ groups, charities, trusts and voluntary groups the chance to set up and operate schools.
The scheme is based on the system in Sweden, where non-profit and profit-making groups can set up schools – funded by the government – but free from its control.
Courtesy: BBC Q&A
There are currently 203 academies in England, compared with about 3,500 secondary schools. But Sally Coates, the principal at Burlington Danes Academy school in west London, expects the benefits offered by academy status will entice more into taking up the government’s invitation to convert.
The NUT (National Union of Teachers) said the move could spell the end of state-provided education. The ATL (Association of Teachers and Lecturers) union has described the coalition’s academy proposals as “irresponsible” and the NASUWT (National Association of Schoolmasters Union of Women Teachers) said the scheme could “segregate and fragment communities”. Before the election, the Liberal Democrats described the concept of free schools as a “shambles”.
  • RNFR
  • Jun, Thu, 2010
Uncategorized

Colleges, not universities, should drive the continued expansion of higher education, college leaders said this week

Money should be transferred from universities to FE colleges that are better able to deliver higher education at a lower cost, the Association of Colleges (AoC) said in its submission to the Independent Review of Higher Education Funding and Student Finance, chaired by Lord Browne.

It said: “A sustainable higher education system in England will need to cut its cloth to fit the budget but this does not preclude reform and expansion. We believe there may be an opportunity for the HEFCE (the Higher Education Funding Council for England) to secure cost-effective expansion of higher education participation by directing funding towards colleges.”

The AoC argues against raising HE tuition fees unless a way can be found to provide more scholarships and loans without increasing the cost to the Government. It suggests that higher interest rates are applied to student loans, allowing Government to extend them to more people. It also says more colleges should be handed foundation degree-awarding powers and be funded directly by the HEFCE rather than through partner universities.

A new paper from the 157 Group calls for a greater role for colleges in delivering “value-for-money, locally based higher education” at a time of cutbacks. As part of its deficit reduction plans, the Government told universities this week that they will be funded for 10,000 fewer places this year than they had been expecting.

Source: Times Educational Supplement

  • RNFR
  • May, Tue, 2010
Uncategorized

Bogus job offers warning

The UK Border Agency has today issued a warning over bogus job offers targeting foreign nationals seeking work in the UK. Several cases have been reported of bogus offers where the names and titles of real UK Border Agency officials are used to add authenticity to apparent email scams.
Rob Yeldham, director of communications advised:
‘My name has been used in several apparent attempts to scam foreign professionals looking for work in the UK. We have referred cases to our security unit, but at this stage it is unclear what the nature of the scam is, or where in the world it is based. The best advice is to be careful of any unsolicited offers.’
What to look out for:
  • Anything implying endorsement by an official – UK Border Agency staff never act on behalf of employers.
  • Incorrect agency email addresses, for example, co.uk, or .com endings.
Courtesy: UKBA
  • RNFR
  • May, Sun, 2010
Uncategorized

Private university tops student satisfaction list

Britain’s only private university comes top in three categories in a league table of UK higher education institutions published in The Independent today. – Analyzer


Buckingham University finishes first for student satisfaction in the Complete University Guide table, published in today’s Education Supplement, and is also deemed to have the best staff to student ratio and career prospects for graduates. It is the first time the university, which has only 677 students, has been included in the rankings.
It takes 20th place in the 115-strong league table overall, finishing ahead of several of the universities in the elite Russell Group, which represents 20 of the country’s leading higher education research institutions.
  • RNFR
  • May, Sun, 2010
Uncategorized

Young people from poorer backgrounds are still struggling to get into top universities

Young people from poorer backgrounds are still struggling to get into top universities, says the agency in charge of widening access to higher education.


The wealthiest 20% of youngsters are seven times more likely than the most disadvantaged 40% to get places at England’s most selective universities.
The Office for Fair Access (Offa) says there has been no significant change since the mid-1990s.
This “weak point” must improve, says Universities Minister David Willetts.
The report from Offa considers how to widen accss to the top universities.
Click here to read more..
  • RNFR
  • May, Tue, 2010
Uncategorized

Applying to study in the UK

Applying to study in the UK is relatively easy and straightforward. Depending on your study level, there are different ways to apply – Through UCAS or directly to a UK institution. Entry requirements vary, but with the UK’s wide range of study options, you’re sure to find a course to suit your level.


The Important UCAS dates ahead

  • 30 June – closing date for international students outside of the EEA.
  • 20 July – if you sent your application by 30 June, UK institutions will send their decision to UCAS by this date.
  • 27 July – if UCAS receive decisions from your UK institutions by 20 July, you need to reply to any offers by this date. If you don’t, UCAS will decline offers on your behalf.