Changes to immigration rules for students coming to the UK were announced on Wednesday 28th March. Their main impact will be to create a new student visitor route for those coming to study for a period of up to 6 months. However, these short-term students will not have the right to work or bring in dependents – entry clearance as a student will still have to be sought before travel to the UK for those wishing to benefit from these additional rights.

A new scheme which will enable international HEI students to stay on in the UK for a year to work after they have completed their studies was also announced by the Government. This scheme, to be introduced on the 1st May 2007, is intended to help cement the UK’s status as a top study destination for international students.

For further information about these changes, please see the attached documents -

studentrules2803a.pdf; studentrulechanges2803.pdf; new-international-graduates-scheme.pdf

Tony Millns, Chief Executive of English UK, reported good news for students and visitors to the UK on his return from a pre-announcement briefing on Wednesday with Bill Rammell, the Minister for FE, HE and Lifelong Learning at the Department for Education and Skills, and Liam Byrne, the Minister of State for Nationality, Citizenship and Immigration, Home Office. (more…)

For the first time since formation of the association, English UK now has 350 members in subscription. While English UK remains the  world’s largest language teaching organisation, 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 global groups and nearly a third of the membership comprises ELT departments in state sector universities and colleges. Whatever type of provision students and agents are looking for, one of the English UK member centres will be able to help.

A record 146 educators have taken advantage of the discounted Advance Early Bird rates. The Advance Early Bird deadline (available to educators only) closed on Monday 18 December 2006. (more…)

Starting from 2 April 2007, anyone who wants an open-ended visa must pass a test proving they understand the UK and the English language: http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/about-us/news/learning-english