Event Details

Overview

It is now more than two years since the most radical shake-up of Britain’s immigration laws for nearly four decades came into force. The complex and often confusing legislation dating back to the 1971 Immigration Act was superseded by a “single, consistent and coherent framework” for dealing with potential immigrants.

As part of the immigration points-based system (PBS) implementation process, Tier 4 category regulations covering non-EU/EEA students came into force at the end of March 2009. With many colleges having already lost their sponsor’s license during this first year of the new framework, the impact on education providers of all types across the UK has been profound.

Following a major public consultation, new measures designed to curb continuing widespread abuse of the student visa system have recently been announced. The proposed reforms seek to make entrance criteria tougher, introduce new limits on work entitlements and close the post-study work route.

With the international student market providing such a significant contribution economically, academically and culturally to this country’s education sector, particularly universities, it is imperative that institutions are up to speed with the new system and are fully compliant with UK Border Agency procedures.

This special one-day training seminar, provides a timely opportunity for education providers, international student recruitment officers and advisers to understand the new immigration landscape and its impact on vetting, sponsoring and recruiting overseas students. As well as providing an overview of the new legislative framework, some of the themes to be explored at the seminar include:

• Understanding the Immigration Points-Based System
• Understanding the Legal Framework for International Student Recruitment
• Ensuring Your Institution is Licensed and Maintains Compliance
• Legislative Update, UKBA Priorities and the PBS in Practice

Programme

Who Should Attend?

• Overseas Student Recruitment Officers
• Accreditation Bodies
• Curriculum Authorities
• College & University Administrators
• Equal Opportunities Officers
• Equality, Diversity & Human Rights Practitioners
• Immigration Advisers
• Careers Advisers
• Employee Relations Advisers
• Legal Advisers
• Overseas Recruitment Agents
• Student Affairs & Welfare Bodies
• Funding Councils
• Research Councils
• HR Professionals
• Training Managers
• Recruitment Advisers
• Organisational Development Professionals
• Campaigning Organisations
• NHS Employers
• Local Authority Officers & Councillors
• Private Sectors Employers
• Public Sector Employers
• Small Business Owners
• Central Government Departments & Bodies
• Regulatory Bodies
• Citizen’s Advice & Third Sector Practitioners
• Trade Union Representatives
• Academics

“ International students not only make a vital contribution to the UK economy but they also help make our education system one of the best in the world. But it has become very apparent that the old student visa regime failed to control immigration and failed to protect legitimate students from poor-quality colleges. The changes I am announcing today re-focus the student route as a temporary one, available to only the brightest and best. The new system is designed to ensure students come for a limited period, to study, not work, and make a positive contribution while they are here. ”
— Theresa May MP, Home Secretary, March 2011