22 March 2011 - The UK's Home Secretary, Theresa May, has today announced changes to the UK's student visa system, designed to offer greater protection for international students and UK institutions alike.

May began by recognizing the importance of welcoming international students to the UK, “International students not only make a vital contribution to the UK economy but they also help make our education system one of the best in the world."

From April 2012, all institutions wishing to host international students will need to be accredited by statutory education inspection bodies. This will give international students peace of mind that they are applying to a bona fide institution, trusted and recognized by the UK government.

In order to be eligible for a Tier 4 'student visa', students will need to demonstrate a higher level of English under the changes announced. Those coming to study at degree level will have to speak English at an upper intermediate (B2) level. This is a higher that the current B1 requirement, which is the appropriate level for pre-university level courses, including “pathway” courses. However, English language students wishing to attend exclusively English language courses below this level will be able to apply for a 'student visitor visa' allowing them to stay for up to 11 months. Find out more here.

Students at universities and publicly funded further education colleges will retain their rights to work part-time alongside their studies, enabling them to gain valuable experience of business and industry. There will however be restrictions on working and work placements for students not in universities or colleges.

Postgraduate students at universities and government sponsored students will still be able to bring their dependants with them to the UK during their studies, however there will be new restrictions for other students.

The Post Study Work route will be closed from April 2012 - this route allowed students two years to seek employment after their course ended. However, under the changes, graduates who have an offer of a skilled job from a sponsoring employer, in Tier 2 of the Points-Based System, will be able to work. Theresa May also announced a new initiative for any budding entrepreneurs: “alongside our stricter rules, we will ensure that innovative student entrepreneurs who are creating wealth are able to stay in the UK to pursue their ideas.”

Canadian Students in the UK

1. Undergraduate degrees: 2155*
2. Postgraduate Taught (Masters level degrees): 2270*
3. Postgraduate Research (Doctoral degrees): 1430*
4. Other Undergraduate (Study Abroad and Exchanges): 870*

* per HESA (Higher Education Statistics Agency) data from 2009/10 academic year. HESA does not measure Study Abroad students at UK Universities during the summer.

Martin Davidson, Chief Executive of the British Council, said:

“The British Council welcomes the changes being made to the student visa system announced today by Theresa May.

“Genuine international students bring immense value to the UK. They enhance our institutions academically, financially and culturally and many become lifelong friends and advocates for the UK when they return home. It is in the interests of the UK to continue to welcome genuine students from around the world.

“The British Council supports an effective immigration policy that avoids any abuse of the student visa system. The new pledge that all institutions offering courses to international students must have accreditation and become highly trusted sponsors by April 2012 will give greater protection to bona fide international students and will furthermore assure students of the quality of UK education.

“It is essential that the changes do not prevent students coming to the UK to learn English prior to going on to study for degree courses.

“We welcome the assurances that students qualifying with a recognized degree who have the offer of a graduate level job will be able to remain in the UK and that sponsors can vouch for academic progression when students are doing follow-up courses. We particularly welcome measures to ensure that innovative student entrepreneurs are able to stay in the UK to pursue their ideas.  

“International students bring an extra dimension to the education experience of our own students and give them a perspective that will help them prosper in the global economy. These measures should ensure that we continue to attract the best talent from around the world and avoid a situation where these individuals turn to other competitor countries.”