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LST's UKBA Letter

We would like to draw to your attention the effect of the recently announced changes in government visa legislation impacting educational institutions sponsoring Tier 4 students, including faith-based colleges. These changes to immigration rules for students are already being implemented and we now have a clearer picture of the next stage of the government's plan with regard to international students. The changes raise concern in that there will be a significant impact on independent colleges and courses if they could no longer recruit internationally, resulting in a potentially heavy loss of student numbers to institutions. In addition, the inspection process is extremely expensive, and there is a real risk that many colleges will not be able to afford to sustain Tier 4 sponsor status, a requirement in order to accept international students, thus losing the potential to recruit overseas students and impacting the whole viability of the organisation.

The main issues of concern are:

Educational Oversight: We must meet the new educational oversight criteria and be successful in a review in order to continue to be eligible to accept non-EU students and sponsor them for visas. This will be done by the QAA, and we must be reviewed by December 2012
Cost: The cost of a QAA review to get educational oversight is approximately £10,000 per annum, irrespective of the size of the college. This is an additional unexpected cost to the institution just in order to maintain the status quo
Status: We must acquire Highly Trusted Sponsor (HTS) status from the UKBA by April 2012. This will only be awarded and maintained if we have applied for and are successful in obtaining QAA accreditation
Inequitable playing field: Higher education institutes and independent colleges will have entirely different student restrictions imposed upon them. At independent colleges, such as LST:
- Students will not be able to work
- Students will not be able to bring their families

Having been in discussion with the UK Border Agency for some time, we are now reflecting urgently on how we can influence the government in developing its policy and to try to find a better outcome for the theological education sector. As part of this process, we are asking that you urgently lobby your own MP about this. We will seek to raise the issue with officials and ministers but it will be more effective if you also raise the issue with your local MPs. An outline for a letter is attached.

At least 12% of the students at LST come from outside the EU, a significant number in relation to our overall student population. That would be a substantial loss in revenue if we were unable to take overseas students, but also a loss to us as the largest theological college in Europe with a significant international reputation. The college community is enriched by these students from outside the EU, training for ministry in churches and communities in their home countries. Therefore we are very keen to influence the government as these policies are implemented and put across our views.

Please help us by lobbying your local MP

Click here to download a suggested letter