Transitional Arrangements: 21st April 2011 - End 2012

New sponsors · Must meet new accreditation criteria and then work towards HTS status. · New colleges applying for the first time to sponsor international students will be given limited CAS and a year to demonstrate commitment to immigration controls. After one year they will have to meet HTS status criteria. Failure to meet this will result in suspension of sponsorship  licence and a restriction on sponsoring of new students.

Existing sponsors · Must meet new educational oversight criteria and achieve HTS status. · If not already inspected / reviewed by educational oversight body and  holding HTS status, interim CAS limits will apply. · B rated sponsors will not be able to assign CAS to new students (only those seeking to complete courses).

English language requirements · Levels 3-5: B1 Secure English Language Test · Levels 6-8: B2 Secure English Language Test · Refusal of Visa or entry to UK if they cannot speak English without assistance.

From July 2011 · Students declare that they have and will continue to have sufficient maintenance funds. This must be verified by a financial institution on the UKBA published list of financial institutions. · Students from designated low-risk nationalities attending at a HTS status college will not have to routinely present specified documentation at visa application stage. · Only students at university or funded FE colleges will be able to work during studies. · Only post-graduate students at university lasting 12 or more months will be able to sponsor dependents (who will be allowed to work). · HTS status guidelines to be reviewed by summer 2011.

From April 2012 · All sponsors must possess HTS status. · Extension of time limit for HTS status colleges yet to be inspected/reviewed by ISI or QAA. · Work placements with study work ratio of 66:33 (except at universities and funded FE colleges). · Maximum 5 year time limit for degrees and above (with exception for some PhD students). · Closure of Tier 1 post-study work route, but allow switching to Tier 2. · Provision for student entrepreneurs.

Overall transitional measures Existing colleges that are ‘grade A rated’ will be able to continue to sponsor new students until end of 2012 provided they: · apply for educational oversight and HTS status within timescales to be announced; · do not otherwise have their licence suspended, revoked or downgraded to B status; and ·  Obtain HTS status by April 2012. From 21 April 2011 to April 2012, CAS limits will apply until new requirements are met: CAS number will be the same as the number of CAS issued which were “used and approved” (i.e. assigned and resulting in an approved application for entry clearance). From April 2012 all colleges will have to achieve HTS status. Those not achieving it will have a CAS allocation of zero. Those achieving HTS status, but not accreditation under the new regime will have CAS limited to the number “used or approved” between April 2011 to  April 2012.

Student Visa Changes—initial analysis

Changes to accreditation bodies

Private accreditation bodies no longer authorised to issue Tier 4  sponsor licences and existing colleges with accreditation from these must seek HTS status and inspection/review by ISI or QAA. QAA Accreditation / Tier 4 educational oversight will influence HTS status.

Private accreditation bodies: - Accreditation UK - ABLS - ASIC - BAC - C of E Inspectorate (Still valid for student visitors, child visitors who study and English Language courses for the purposes of settlement and citizenship.)

Key public accreditation bodies: - QAA (higher education) - ISI (schools) (these two will be responsible for inspecting / reviewing private colleges)

Arrangements: from end of 2012

· All sponsors have to meet new educational accreditation criteria for Tier 4. · Subject to clarification, CAS only to be issued for a single course, except where there is a pre-session course of less than 3 months.

ACCA The college must be an Approved Learning Partner offering student tuition at either “Gold” or “Platinum” level. “All of our Approved Learning Partners receive regular visits from ACCA to ensure that they are up to date on developments and continue to keep their standards high.include private meetings with students to get their feedback on what it is like to study with the tuition providers. What are the differences between Gold and Platinum Approved Learning Partners? Gold Approved Learning Partners have to demonstrate to ACCA that they meet certain performance targets around the way they manage their institution – such as the provision of comfortable premises and adequate facilities, carefully monitored attendance and retention, and financial viability – and they way they manage and deliver their ACCA courses – such as having a knowledgeable and experienced teaching team, a structured teaching programme and provide students with advice on study options and tutorial support. Platinum Approved Learning Partners adhere to the highest standards to provide students with the best possible chance of success. In addition to meeting the Gold performance targets, Platinum Approved Learning Partners have to provide evidence of continual improvement and innovation, and must consistently meet exam results targets, set by meeting or exceeding ACCA’s worldwide pass rates.” http://www.accaglobal.com/students/study/alps

Copyright Education and Training Consultants Ltd (QAA, QAA Accreditation, HTS, UKBA, Ofsted, Equality and Diversity)

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