FE colleges loosing foreign students as a result of new visa rules

As with the progress in new visa rules by UK for the foreign students, that has led FE colleges to loose thousands of foreign students.

According to the Association of Colleges, the loss which colleges have to bear is due to difference in the treatment that will be given to the students studying in Universities and the colleges. As per the statistics around 20, 000 to 25, 000 foreign students pursue their courses in these FE colleges every year and used to produce income for these colleges. But now the numbers are expected to fall in large and hence forth their incomes also.

John Mountford, the international director of Association of Colleges says, “It is not fair that university students and treated differently and are having more privilege than other college students, which is disagreeable and they should be treated equally.”

As according to the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills have stated that in process to cut down the sham students entering to the country, some rules have been amended foreign students studying in FE colleges can carry out the part time work for 10 hours per week and also have to clear higher level for English skills in the exams conducted by the authorities. Whereas the students studying will be given preference, as they can work for 20 hours per week as part time and have their English test in house only.

They are uncertain about the students now might not treat the college courses as same as of the university ones. But no limit announcement was welcomed by the association.

But they showed concern over getting the students with for level 4 courses students visa which sounds little difficult to them as students might not go for below degree level courses, they are also worrying about the suggested cap at level 3 courses.

Now, the institutions are mandatory to attain the UK Border Agency’s highly trusted sponsor status, those who bring in the foreign students. Taking of these steps assures the quality of the studies provided and students studying there.

On the above matter the UK Border Agency authority said that the difference in working hours between the college and university students is due to the different level of compliance amongst them and the new level in English skills criteria makes sure the student coming in have good knowledge and ability to carry the language which further helps them in their course work.