UK reforms student visa system

The UK Government published a consultation on the reform of the student entry route to the UK yesterday.

The consultation will run for eight weeks, until January 31. The UK Government wants a student visa system which continues to attract the top students to the UK’s top universities.

The key proposed areas of reform include Raising the level of courses students can study, with only Highly Trusted Sponsors able to offer courses to adult students below degree level; Introducing tougher entry criteria for adult students; Ensuring students return overseas after their course; Limiting the entitlements to work and to sponsor dependants; Simpler procedures for checking low-risk applications and Stricter accreditation procedures for education providers in the private sector.