Important changes to the Tier 4 points-based system

Areas of change:

Language requirements

Starting 23 July 2010, after the judgement in the Judicial Review case by English UK new changes to the Immigration Rules mean that the minimum level of English language course that will be allowed under Tier 4 will be changed to B2 of the Common European Framework of Reference. Exemptions to the minimum level remain in place, these apply to Government-sponsored language students and students undertaking pre-sessional English language course before a degree course.

Change of education provider

Starting 23 July 2010, students who want to change to a sponsor with a Highly Trusted Sponsor (HTS) licence can begin their new course of study, at own risk, whilst waiting for the UK Border Agency to make a decision on their application of sponsor change.

Those applying to change to an A-or B- rated sponsors cannot begin their new course of study until a positive decision is received from the UK Border Agency on the application to change sponsor. To avoid delays, UK BA has put in place processes to prioritise applicants who wish to change to A- or B- rated sponsors.

Recent changes in USA legislation has changed the way the US Government deals with student loans, therefore from the 1^st of July 2010, UK institutions taking part in the William D Ford Federal Direct Loan Programme (administered by US Department of Education) will be allowed to offer Federal Direct Loans to students from the USA who wish to study in the UK. UK Institutions that are involved in this programme have been contacted by the US Department of Education.

The above change affects migrants who wish to study under Tier 4. Under this programme a template letter has been agreed for use and a copy of this letter is being sent to all sponsors. Tier 4 sponsors participating in the programme need to use the template when prospective students from the USA are given loans; this is so that students can submit an entry clearance application to the UK.

International Baccalaureate qualifications students

UK Border Agency is conscious that students relying on International Baccalaureate qualifications awarded on 5 July 2010 will not be issued with a paper transcript of their results and will not receive their award certificates in time to apply for university courses starting this September 2010.

Therefore to allow these students to apply under Tier 4, provision to accept applications made by students relying on an International Baccalaureate qualification and have not received their original award certificate.

Secure English language tests

Lorin Sulaiman, Ergen & Sharif