Written evidence submitted Queensland
College, London (SV7)
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Queensland College welcomes restrictions which contribute
to a reduction in abuse of the student route, but is opposed to
changes which deter genuine students, or damage legitimate, good
quality colleges.
RECOMMENDATION
All Private Providers admitting international students
should be required to have a College Council or Governing Body
with external representation. This would enhance public confidence
in the quality and standards of their educational provision and
in their compliance with regulatory requirements.
COMMENTARY ON
SPECIFIC POINTS
1. Whether the cuts should be limited to certain
types of courses (e.g. pre-degree level)
- Cuts should be limited to courses which can easily
be found in the students' home countries.
- The criteria for permitting a course to be accessible
to overseas students should be based on the quality of the course,
as decided by external adjudicating bodies, rather than by level.
2. The impact different levels of cuts might
have on the various sectors
- Cuts in some low level courses could help to
remove some 'bogus' colleges, which would be welcome.
3. The impact, if any, that reductions in
student visas might have on the UK's standing in the world
- There is a long-standing tradition of international
students coming to the UK for legitimate study. This has been
of benefit to the UK as well as to the country of origin. An across-the-board
reduction in student visas would certainly damage the UK's standing
in the world.
- The key point is that the education provided
should be of the highest quality. We recommend the strengthening
of BAC powers to ensure that this is the case.
4. Whether cuts in student visas would have
any effect on the decisions of highly qualified graduates to conduct
research or take up teaching posts in the UK
- This is difficult to quantify, but international
graduates can certainly contribute greatly to standards of knowledge
and education in the UK. It would be regrettable if well-qualified
students were discouraged from coming to the UK, especially in
cases where their skills could not be matched from the home student
population.
5. Whether the post study route should be
continued.
- The PSW route could continue, but should be explicitly
controlled. The granting of a PSW visa should be linked to a specific
job or sponsor, to ensure that the work done is relevant to the
completed course of study.
6. The educational routes through which students
come to the UK to study at degree level
- Colleges should only be permitted to use licensed
agents from overseas.
- The educational level of prospective students
should be properly assessed—sponsors should be expected
to use NARIC to ensure thorough and accurate verification of overseas
qualifications.
7. International comparisons—no comment
EXPLANATION OF
RECOMMENDATION
The current BAC accreditation criteria do not specifically
require Colleges to have a Governing Body or Council and there
is currently variable practice on this. A requirement for Colleges
to have such a body, with external members, would strengthen governance
and thereby extend confidence across the sector.
CONCLUDING COMMENT
Study in the UK by legitimate students brings economic
benefits and enhances the UK's cultural and political influence
in the world. It is important that international students coming
to study in the UK have an educational experience of high quality.
Restrictions on the operation of private international students
should be related to the quality, rather than the level, of their
educational provision.
January 2011
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