Written evidence submitted by the Association
of Colleges (SV16)
The Association of Colleges (AoC) represents and
promotes the interests of Further Education Colleges and their
students. Colleges provide a rich mix of academic and vocational
education. As autonomous institutions they have the freedom to
innovate and respond flexibly to the needs of individuals, business
and communities. The following key facts illustrate Colleges'
contribution to education and training in England:
- Every year Colleges educate and train three million
people.
- 831,000 of these students are aged 16 to 18 which
compares to 423,000 in schools.
- 74,000 14 to 15 year olds are enrolled at a College.
- One-third of A-level students study at a College.
- 44% of those achieving a level 3 qualification
by age 19 do so at a College.
- 69% of those receiving an Education Maintenance
Allowance study in a College.
- Colleges are centres of excellence and quality.
The average A-level or equivalent point score for
Sixth Form Colleges is 800.1 compared with 761.6 for school sixth
forms. 96% of Colleges inspected in 2008-09 were judged satisfactory
or better by Ofsted for the quality of their provision.
INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS
IN FURTHER
EDUCATION
1.0 All references to International students
within this document refer to non-EEA nationals who are not eligible
to be treated as home students. They will include There are over
20,000 International students studying at Further Education Colleges.
1.1 FE fee income from international students
is a minimum of £42 million though this does not include
all the other income they generate through accommodation, books,
food etc which we believe would put the total benefit to UK plc
to around £80 million
1.2 The British Council (Global Value—the
Value of UK Education and Training Exports 2007) estimate that
the total value of international students to the UK economy is
£8.5 billion, making international students a major export
industry that needs Government support and nurture in these challenging
times.
1.3 By law international students have no access
to benefits and have time restricted rights to work. In the recent
Home Office report of all the categories tracked, students were
the least likely to be here after five years and least likely
to apply for settlement; they come to learn not earn. Students
studying in Further Education Colleges and Sixth Form Colleges
are further time limited to three years.
1.4 International students help create long term
global friendships and business links and these "soft"
benefits are hugely important for the UK. International students
add a hugely valuable international dimension to home students'
learning experience which helps develop the skills they need to
operate effectively in the global market place.
Should cuts should be limited to certain types
of courses?
2.0 AoC disagree that the raising of the minimum
level of study sponsors to degree level (Level 4) and above is
an effective way of reducing abuse of the Tier 4 route Our preferred
solution would be to fully utilise the Highly Trusted Sponsor
(HTS) route and to work with sponsors who are unable to meet HTS
requirements.
2.1 We agree that only HTS should be allowed
to offer below degree level courses and this will help ensure
students are being recruited by genuine providers who take their
immigration responsibilities seriously. To help protect the quality
of our international students' experience we would also argue
that all sponsors, whether Further Education Colleges or Higher
Education providers, should meet the criteria set out by HTS.
2.2 Highly Trusted Sponsors should be able to
continue to make offers to those of B1 English language level.
We have concerns at how effective raising the level would be in
controlling abuse; if a "student" is determined to enter
the UK based on a forged English level certificate then they will
simply get a B2 level one rather than a B1 one.
The raising of the minimum standard of English from
B1 to B2 (approximately "A" level) may substantially
damage recruitment from perceived lower risk countries as Korea,
Japan, Taiwan and Saudi Arabia, but have far less impact on those
presented as higher risk countries such as India, Pakistan and
Nigeria. We do not believe that it is justifiable to continue
the anomalous existing system of demanding higher English language
skills from those intending to study on Level 3, 4 and 5 courses
than those on Level 6 degree courses. All student applicants should
be requested to be able to speak English at a certain minimum
level.
THE IMPACT
DIFFERENT LEVELS
OF CUTS
MIGHT HAVE
ON COLLEGES
3.0 International students bring around £42
million worth of income to Colleges. This income allows Colleges
to run courses they might otherwise not run and employ staff they
may otherwise not employ. International students also make a valuable
financial contribution to the community where they study and many
local people and business would suffer without this input.
At a time when College budgets are already facing
cuts in funding from Government and having to make difficult decisions
regarding provision to UK students, this income is extremely important.
3.1 Colleges have comprehensive systems for monitoring
students' attendance, achievement and retention. AoC fully supports
the UK Border Agency's (UKBA) drive to ensure robust recruitment
practices are implemented and maintained throughout the education
sector with the introduction of rigorous rules under the new Highly
Trusted Sponsor status, a requirement for the recruitment of overseas
students onto level 3, 4 and some level 5 courses.
3.2 We believe that more should be done to raise
accreditation and inspection standards to ensure the quality of
education provision within private institutions of Further and
Higher education. We are aware of the existence of private institutions
which deliver very poor education, and are disappointed that so
many poor private education providers have managed to register
as Tier 4 sponsors.
3.3 We would recommend, that priority should
be given to further efforts to minimise remaining areas of abuse
through tighter inspection, enforcement and compliance of those
institutions at the margins, where real risk exists.
3.4 Any changes following the consultation should
be phased in but they should not be allowed to stretch for more
than one year. The frequent changes to the UK's student immigration
policy makes it difficult for providers to follow and more importantly
has caused confusion and concern for our international partners
and a period of stable policy is urgently required.
Should the Post Study Work Route Continue?
4.0 We would like UKBA to allow those Highly
Trusted Sponsors to continue to offer 50:50 work placement courses.
UKBA may wish to remove the right of others to offer these courses
at all, irrespective of the level of course.
4.1 Post Study Work visas should be limited to
students graduating from HTS and linked to jobs relating to the
course of study.
CONCLUSION
5.0 Further Education Colleges and Sixth Form
Colleges are committed to supporting a robust immigration system
that helps to ensure genuine international students are recruited
by legitimate education institutions.
5.1 Our Colleges are proud of their worldwide
reputation for quality, which helps to attract successful and
hardworking international students from around the world to study
in the UK. These students make an important cultural, academic
and financial contribution to College life and the communities
in which they live.
5.3 AoC member Colleges are confident that the
quality of their provision, students and strong retention rates
will prove effective in ensuring that students fulfil the requirements
of their visas and do not pose a risk to immigration in the UK.
January 2011
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