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students in the UK is often up to two years old so it is hard to get a complete picture. We have seen some positive developments recently, including the publication of the UK government’s international education strategy. The strategy states that the UK is capable of attracting almost 90,000 extra international university students by 2018. During his trip to India last year, the
Prime Minister also made clear that genuine international students are welcome in the UK and that there is no cap on numbers. This commitment was repeated in the speech given by the new Minister for Immigration, James Brokenshire in March 2014.
Q: Is it fair that students are still regarded A: We would prefer it if students were not regarded as migrants, as they are not, for example, in the US. The UK approach is at odds with other countries which classify students as temporary or non-permanent residents. International students come to the UK, study, and either return to their home country (the great majority) compliance with regulations by university students (over 98%). Six parliamentary committees – as
well as many other prominent individuals and groups – have now called on the government to take students out of the migration target. International students make an
extremely valuable contribution to the UK, return, graduates from UK universities have established links with the country, so it is good in terms of diplomacy and business links (many world leaders have been educated at UK universities). It is vital, therefore, that genuine international students do not become caught up in efforts to bear down on immigration.
Q: What kind of help and support do you provide to international students in A: At Cardiff, student services provides advice and support for current students. pre-arrival students, and supports on the arrival process to make sure new students are aware of the requirements and their responsibilities. We work with a network of education
agents worldwide who provide guidance and support services for international students. We work closely with international partners – embassies, sponsor bodies, British Council etc, to ensure support where needed and maintain communication networks. students through the recruitment process. This includes support and reassurance over the visa process.
Q: Do you think that any aspects of the UK student VISA system need to be A: There are a number of ways in which it could be reformed. We would like to see enhancements to post-study work. It is often reported that there are no longer any post-study work opportunities for non-EU Although the UK government has tightened up the eligibility rules on who can stay on to work after graduation, it is important to note that graduate opportunities still exist. We would like to see them improved, particularly for postgraduate students Post-study work opportunities are, for
many prospective students, an important part of the overall package considered when deciding where to study. Post-study work allows graduates to earn money to pay off tuition fees, gain experience in their Many return home having forged strong professional and personal links in this country that provide long-term ‘soft power’ Competitor countries such as the
USA, Canada, Australia and Germany are extending their post-study work offer. There is evidence that post-study work opportunities are particularly important to potential students from India, who are more likely than many other groups to study postgraduate STEM courses. A number of select committees have
recommended improvements to the UK’s post-study work opportunities. We also welcome the All Party Parliamentary Group on Migration’s inquiry into post-study work, announced June 2014. We would also like to see changes implemented less frequently (an annual Generally, the UK must ensure it
presents a welcoming climate for genuine international students and ensure that visa and immigration rules are proportionate and properly communicated.
exposed by a recent report from the Office of Fair Trading (OFT), which found that, across the sector, much work remained to be done in clarifying the legal rights of students as consumers, and their institutions’ obligations towards them. These included “significant gaps” in prospectuses, qualification levels of lecturers, and student employability once learners graduate. The organisation also expressed interest in the competitiveness of charges across the sector, which could potentially be scrutinised in a full ‘compliance review’ by its successor body, the CMA. Although it found no evidence of ‘fee fixing’, the text advised that fees should not be increased part way through a qualification. "The widely reported decision of the OIA to uphold a complaint regarding mid course fee increases, and to award compensation, is unlikely to deter legal action, or use of an institution’s complaints handling system," cautions VWV’s Tabitha Cave. Fortunately, some precedents are in
place to offer protection for universities. The case of Clark v University of Lincolnshire and Humberside [2000] “is the principal authority for the proposition that the exercise of academic judgment was not a mater capable of adjudication by the court,” says VWV’s Robbets, which makes it hard for students to challenge decisions made on the basis of their results, such as course terminations on academic grounds. However, other precedents place
additional responsibilities on universities, including a 2011 case in which the Court of Appeal confirmed that it could not impose an obligation on the Office of the Independent Adjudicator (the body which handles student complaints) to rule on complaints of discrimination – thereby increasing universities’ liability. “Recent OFT scrutiny revealed that
many university practices are potentially out of step with the requirements of modern consumer law,” says Tabitha Cave. “Whilst institutions are now taking
steps to identify and record the mutual obligations that are essential for the successful delivery of educational services, the decision of the CMA to prioritise making the responsibilities of universities clearer suggests that there may be some way to go for some institutions.” The jury is out – for now. UB
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