Changes to the Tier 4 Student Visa rules in the UK:

2011

English Language Requirement - Level of competency in English language increased for those coming to study at NQF level 6 (undergraduate) and above, from B1 to B2 in all four components of language. Evidence of funds - Students required to sign a declaration that the maintenance funds required are genuinely available; banks must be on UKBAs list of prescribed banks. Employment - Work during term time and work placements restricted to international students studying at a recognised body (universities) or a publicly-funded further education college.

2012

Time allowed as students - Tier 4 visa holders restricted to a maximum of five years of study on courses at degree level, with some exceptions depending on course. Post study employment - Tier 1 (Post Study Work) route closed to new applicants, whilst the Tier 1 (Graduate Entrepreneur) route was created for up to 1,000 graduates to develop their innovative ideas and entrepreneurial skills. Upon completion of study, students can now apply for a Tier 2 visa, provided they have a graduate-level job offer from an employer who is a licensed sponsor with the UKBA, and is paying at least 20,000 or the going rate for the job, whichever is higher Credibility interviews - Introduction of a targeted interview system affecting as many as 14000 student visa applicants deemed as high risk. Interviewees may be asked questions about their immigration and education history, study and post-study plans, and financial circumstances.

2013

Post study employment - PhD students will be entitled to stay in the UK for up to 12 months after completing their studies, after which time they must start work or start a business. In addition, 1,000 places created for MBA graduates who want to remain in the UK to start a business. Credibility interviews - plans to increase the number of interviews to considerably more than 100,000, starting financial year 201314

In May 2014 the Home Office received Royal Assent for the Immigration Bill, which now becomes the Immigration Act 2014. This contains the provisions affecting prospective international students and some of it has been fully implemented by April 2015

NHS Charges - Introduction of a surcharge for access to NHS services.

For students, the surcharge will be 150 per annum

Introduction of a requirement that private landlords check the immigration status of their tenants

Increase in the scope for government to raise fees for visas and

immigration services - increasing to 322 if applying overseas. And 439 of applying in the UK.

Removal of appeal rights for students and staff applying for further

leave to remain in the UK