The UK Government intends to make big changes to the immigration system for students in 2009. It has published a ‘statement of intent’ explaining some of its ideas, but has not yet decided much of the detail. We identify some of the things you should be thinking about doing now, in preparation for the new system.

Your studies

• Think very carefully before choosing your course, and college or university. It will be very difficult to change college or university after you arrive in the UK, once the new system starts. This is because you will have to obtain permission from the immigration authorities to change college or university, and will not be allowed to study while you wait for that permission. The process of obtaining permission is likely to be very expensive, and may also be slow. You cannot be sure that permission will be granted.
• When the new system comes in, you might be prevented from obtaining student extensions or entry clearance to allow you to study at a level that is below level 3 of the National Qualifications Framework (or its equivalent in Scotland) if you are aged over 16. GCSEs, and National Vocational Qualifications at levels 1 and 2, are all below level 3 of the National Qualifications Framework. Ask your college or university if you do not know whether the qualification you want to study is below level 3 of the National Qualifications Framework.
• If you want to study English, the level is slightly different – it is level A2 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages. So when the new system comes in, you might be prevented from obtaining student extensions or entry clearance to allow you to study English at a level that is below level A2 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages. Ask your college or university if you do not know whether the English course that you want to study is below level A2.
• Do not expect to be allowed to study for more than three years below degree level.
• Under the new system you will almost certainly have to study towards a qualification.
• It is safest not to start a course where more than 50% of the time is spent on work placement (if the course is going to end after the new system starts). Such courses will not be allowed under the new system, and we cannot be sure what will happen to people who have already started.
• If you want to study at a private college, check that the college will meet the requirement to be ‘accredited’ which will apply when the new system starts. If it does not, you will not be able to obtain a student extension to study there if you need more time. Private colleges accredited by the following organisations are automatically ‘accredited’: Accreditation UK; British Accreditation Council; Accreditation Service for International Colleges; Ofsted (but there are other ways of being ‘accredited’, too).
• Keep good attendance on your course – if you do not, this will be reported to the immigration authorities.
• Make every effort to pass each stage of your course, and progress well. It is not clear how much flexibility colleges and universities will show towards students who get behind with their studies. If you need an immigration extension because you have spent longer than usual finishing your course this will be very expensive.
• Do not interrupt or defer your studies at any point, or become a part-time student. If you feel that you have no choice but to do one of these things, go to see the international student adviser at your college or university to talk about the implications this might have for your immigration status.
• If you are already on a course in the UK, attend well and try to complete it on time. Do not change course, or college or university, without talking to the international student adviser at the new college or university about the implications this might have for your future immigration status