The Government today announced how the new UK visa system for students will operate from spring 2009.

English UK has today sent out to all its 376 members a 10-page note of interpretation and guidance on the new visa system and on applying to be on the Register of Sponsors.

Tony Millns, English UK’s chief executive, said: “Only language centres accredited by an approved accrediting body such as Accreditation UK can apply to be on the Register of Sponsors. And only organisations on the Register can issue a ‘confirmation of acceptance for studies’, a unique reference number which students must have to apply for a full student visa. So non-accredited centres will no longer be able to enrol student who need visas next year. This is good news for the accredited English language sector, which brings more than 350,000 students to the UK each year to learn English, generating around £1.5 billion in foreign earnings for the country. The low-quality and sometimes frankly bogus non-accredited colleges damage the reputation of the UK for providing a quality education, and that reputation is our key selling point abroad. There are many details of the system to be sorted out before it comes into operation, but we are pleased to have been closely involved by the Home Office in the design of the system and we will continue to work with the Home Office and the UK Border Agency on how it will be implemented over the next seven to eight months.”

StudyWorld London 2008 will take place in the Hilton London Metropole hotel from Monday 8 - Wednesday 10 September. 

StudyWorld London is the event for study abroad professionals – where the best educators meet the best agents and educational consultants. Participate in StudyWorld London and meet over 250 quality accredited schools, colleges and universities from around the world. Visit the StudyWorld London 2008 website for full details: http://www.studyworldfair.com/london08

If you have not yet received information on how to register, please contact the StudyWorld team: info@studyworldfair.com

For the first time since formation of the association, English UK now has over 360 members in subscription. While English UK remains the world’s leading language teaching association, it continues to reflect the diverse make up of the ELT sector in the UK. With private sector members ranging from small independent specialist schools to centres that are part of global groups and around a third of the membership comprising of ELT departments in state sector universities and colleges, whatever type of provision agents and students are looking for, one of the English UK member centres will be able to assist.
At the English UK Board meeting yesterday, membership of the following 7 centres was formally ratified: EF International Language School, Oxford; Millfield School;   UKHELP4U; Exsportise Ltd; Rose of York Language School; Central Language School and Milton Keynes College. To find out more about these new members, or indeed any of our existing members, please use the course search on this website. http://www.englishuk.com/search/basic_search.php

The LTM (Language Travel Magazine) star awards as voted for by the general public and industry peers  has voted English UK as their Language Association of the Year.

Cambridge ESOL is pleased to announce that it has submitted a new suite of ESOL for Work qualifications for accreditation by the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority. Accreditation is anticipated by the end of July 2007, and the new qualifications will be available for centres to use from the autumn of 2007. For eligible learners, the tests will attract Learning and Skills Council funding.

For further information, please download the following the document.

efw.pdf