The Student Visa Scandal - Fraud in Student Visa System Exposed

The Student Visa Scandal
Will broadcast in BBC One, Monday 10 February at 20:30 BST, by Richard Watson

"What Panorama has uncovered is extremely important, it's very shocking and I want to do something about it”

Home Secretary Theresa May

• The Home Office has suspended English language tests run by a major firm after BBC Panorama uncovered systematic fraud in the student visa system
  
• The Home Secretary said the government had suspended the two colleges (immigration consultancy called Studentway Education in Southall, West London and Eden College International in East London)
  
• All further English language tests done through ETS in the UK had also been suspended
  (ETS - One of the biggest English language testing companies in the world)
  
• Fake Bank documents: Undercover researchers were also sold fake bank details to show they had enough funds to stay in the UK
  
  

Courtesy: BBC, Video Link to the undercover footage  

New Tier 4 English Requirements from Today

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

You can download a list of approved test providers from here

English-language requirements for foreign students might change

MPs have called on the coalition government to abolish "short-sighted" rules on English-language requirements for foreign students, which they fear could cost universities £1 billion.

Four Liberal Democrats, including former University of Cambridge academic Julian Huppert, have tabled a Commons motion warning that the "rushed and flawed" policy could cost the sector dearly.

The previous government raised the entry criteria for those wanting to study English in the UK as part of its bid to deter bogus applications for "Tier 4" visas for students.

As a result, foreign students wanting to improve their language skills on feeder courses ahead of attending university will now need the equivalent of a high grade at GCSE English to enter the country.

Courtesy: Times Higher Education