Archives 2010

It seems new regulations on student visas is nearing, yet there haven’t been been any major changes after Aug 12, 2010 ( To See the Recent Changes Click Here New Tier 4 English Requirements from Today), early in the year work restrictions imposed on below degree level programmes. Immigration minister Damian Green, Today reveled that his main target will be student visa cut. I predict that new regulations will be in favour of highly trusted institutions. Private educational institutions below highly trusted level will have to face difficulties in recruitmnt of non EU students if the anticipated changes introduced – Rushdy Razak

Todays Main Story
The Immigration Minister, Damian Green, is calling for “smarter” controls on entry to the UK, arguing that the number of foreign students being allowed into the country is “unsustainable”

1. The BBC Q&A: Squeeze on university places
2. GCSE results: one-in-10 sitting exams early
3. European Universities and Beyond
   UK Native students are looking overseas for Higher Education, Click Here to Read More

Investigations led to the discovery of colleges that were allegedly selling English language qualifications. The examination watchdog, Ofqual, found that certificates were being issued with “virtually no training or learning taking place and with insufficient rigour in the assessment process”.

According to The Times, one such college — grandly named Oxford College of Management Sciences — is being investigated after it was alleged that it was selling English language certificates for between £250 to £450. The newspaper said a 38-year-old UK-based Pakistani citizen Rizwan Ahmed Kiyani, who runs the college with another fellow Pakistani was being investigated by the U.K. Border Agency which was “actively seeking to remove both men from the country”.

UK Immigration has already made a number of significant changes to the UK tier 4 visa scheme for students including changes to the English language requirements:

If you wish apply for student visas under Tier 4 (General) from Today or after 12 August 2010 for courses below NQF Level 6 you must be with English language ability at a minimum of level B1 on the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR). This excludes Foundation Degree courses or an English language course.

This implies Courses at NQF level 6 and above need not have the above English requirement but universities might ask such students to provide an evidence of their proficiency in English Language, popularly the IELTS

I find below article is in harmony with this site theme, it is US context, still many lessons are universal, it is not a master piece of research, it is just some sort of insight and news yet it is worth to read and ponder – Rushdy Razak

It sounds like an oxymoron, or at the least, a very bad idea. But ‘for-profit’ colleges, run by private corporations and often charging far more than their public counterparts, are spreading faster than you can say “massive debt” or “the next bubble to burst.” click here to read more

The TVU which was granted university status in 1992, has been granted permission by Privy Council to officially change its name to the ‘University of West London’.The university website reports that the new name will be introduced across the University this October accompanied by a new brand and logo. This will coincide with the installation of a new Chancellor and a celebration of a 150 year milestone for education in Ealing. Current Thames Valley University students and applicants will not be required to take any action and a new UCAS code will be introduced for those applying to study in 2011.
Brunel unsuccessfully had a legal battle with the TVU for the name, last week the BPP, the popular Accountancy and Law training provider and training materials publisher became University College amid University funding and job cuts universities are competitively working to to build up reputation and generate extra revenue sources, having “London” in the name of the University is a strategic branding move but the university has insisted that it was a strategic move saying its operations moved in to west London locations, Ealing and Brentford campuses
It is noted that TVU has come up top in league tables from other modern London Universities such as East London
We wish it is not mere re branding, we wish as its mission it shall shed strong focus on employer engagement, in particular, vocational and professional education in a variety of national and international arenas. 

A review of student visas is to be held after the number of students coming to the UK rose by one third last year, BBC Reports


Home Office figures show the level of non-EU students coming to Britain increased by more than 75,000 to about 300,000 in the 12 months to March.
To Read Further Click Here

Analysis by the University and College Union concluded that 22,584 jobs – academic and otherwise – would be lost.

According to UKBA’s latest news release it says – If you are in the UK in one of the following categories and are applying to extend your stay in Tier 1 (General), you will need to score 95 points:

• Tier 1 (General)
• Highly Skilled Migrant Programme
• Writers, Composers and Artists
• Self-Employed Lawyers