Rule review to control student entry and stay in Britain

Monday December 13, 2010
Rule review to control student entry and stay in Britain
By PAUL GABRIEL
paulnews@thestar.com.my

KUALA LUMPUR: It will be tougher for Malaysians to pursue their education in Britain with the entrance criteria set to be tightened. They will also be barred from staying on upon completion of their courses.

The move will affect all foreign students planning to study in Britain, which remains the top study destination for Malaysians.

The Home Office has launched a two-month public consultation exercise to seek views on a wide range of measures to limit foreign student intake, reduce net migration and prevent abuse by foreign students.
Simon Featherstone

The other main proposals involve cutting the number of those pursuing below-degree level courses (like diplomas), introducing tougher English Language requirements and getting those wanting to extend their studies to prove their academic progression.

This will mean that foreign students could be restricted to only degree-level courses.

Those who complete their courses will have to exit and apply for a new visa if they intend to further their studies.

British High Commissioner to Malaysia Simon Featherstone said many foreign students who enrolled in below-degree level courses actually just lived and worked in Britain, adding that the Home Office wanted to end this abuse.

“What the Government wants to do is to prevent the student route from being used to get around immigration rules.

“A decision is expected to be made by the end of January,” he told The Star.

Featherstone said Malaysia ranked fifth (14%) in a previous Home Office survey conducted on the number students who stayed back in the UK, with India as the highest (43%), followed by Pakistan (36%), Nigeria (35%) and China (18%).

About 6,000 Malaysians leave to study in Britain each year, with the visa approval rate for them under the points-based system exceeding 90%.

There are presently about 13,500 Malaysians pursuing courses in Britain.

The points-based student visa system under Tier 4 was introduced in March last year to prevent the entry of bogus students and crack down on illegitimate institutions operating in Britain.

Students were assessed online and needed 40 points to qualify – 30 points are awarded if a letter of acceptance is issued by a registered British institution and 10 more if there is proof of enough funds to support the course fee and living expenses for the first year.