Crack down on bogus college courses
The Education Secretary has announced that a new register of recognised education centres is to be established.
It is hoped that the register will allow the Home Office to crack down on fraudulent educational visa applications, whereby the education provider either does not exist, or is merely a method of facilitating entry into the UK.
Charles Clarke said: “We know bogus providers are in the minority which is why we are working to make the scheme as straightforward and un-bureaucratic as possible for those genuine providers, who will easily be able to provide evidence of their work.”
“Student mobility is a welcome feature of 21st century globalisation and we benefit from it. The recent British Council report showed that students from overseas currently contribute £3 billion a year to the UK economy. But, we must make sure the system is not abused. Those coming to study here must be genuine students studying at a genuine and approved college.”
Private schools offering English language tuition will also be encouraged to register with accrediting bodies, a move Mr Clarke said which will “provide reassurance to students coming to the UK to learn English and safeguard the future of the sector within the UK. “
The register is expected to be in place by the end of the year and will be made available to Home Office staff when they are deciding to grant educational visas.
Visas will not be granted to any applicant wishing to study at any provider not on the list.
The Government claim that bureaucracy will be kept to a minimum, and have said that any organisation receiving public funding or is accredited by existing UK bodies will be automatically entered onto the register.
