On 6 September 2013, the Home Office released its Statement of Changes outlining upcoming changes to the visitor visa routes, including business and student visitor visas. One of the more significant changes is that individuals using the general and business visitor visa will be allowed to study in the UK for up to 30 days [...]
Private higher education: improving certainly, but still could do better Most private colleges provide a quality student experience, QAA reports, but 100 institutions failed to progress or pass review Private providers are the subject of heated debate in the UK higher education sector. It's in this context that QAA (the Quality Assurance Agency for higher [...]
Today, the Department for Business Innovation and Skills published research conducted by BAC and CFE Research in 2012 on privately funded providers of HE. BAC’s expertise and understanding of the private sector was sought to assist in ensuring the research accessed, and was representative of, the private sector. The research revealed that approximately 160,000 students are studying in around [...]
Welcome to the July edition of my blog. And can I firstly say what a pleasure it is to be writing this with the sun streaming through the office window – summer has finally arrived! Visitor visas On a less positive note, many of you have been in touch regarding the Home Secretary’s announcement toward [...]
On 6 June 2013, the Home Office released a report on recent research conducted on the Student Visitor Visa route, which BAC was invited and contributed to during the latter part of last year. The findings of the research are positive, with no evidence of significant or displaced abuse within the route. The report can [...]
Vince Cable: Indian Students Think Britain Doesn't Want Them Due To 'Absurd Immigration Policy' Public "panic" over immigration is causing economic harm to the UK, Vince Cable has warned. He said overseas students were being deterred from studying at British institutions and tight visa controls were causing difficulties for foreign experts working in the country. [...]
Boris Johnson: Cutting the number of foreign students will harm the UK A reduction in the number of foreign students coming to study in the UK is harming the economy, Boris Johnson has warned. The Mayor of London hit out at Government’s tightening of visa controls for students after it was disclosed that there was [...]
May 2013 Welcome to my third blog of 2013. There are a number of events and developments I’m keen to update you on in this edition. Firstly, I’m pleased to announce that BAC is supporting research on the impacts of changes in policy relating to student immigration in conjunction with the Institute for Public Policy [...]
UKBA to be split in two - by John Morgan The UK Border Agency is to be split in two, between a visa body and a law enforcement body, and brought back under the control of Home Office ministers. Read more here: UKBA to be split in two
Regent’s College given green light on university title by John Morgan Regent’s College will become the latest private provider to gain university status, with the charitable institution hoping to boost its international prospects and join Universities UK as a result. Read more here: Regent's College given green light