Newsroom
New language requirements for UK Student Visas
Cambridge ESOL response 10 February 2010
Cambridge ESOL, the UK's largest provider of English language tests, notes the government's announcement of a review of the criteria for language tests used to regulate applications for student visas. It calls on the Home Office to ensure that only tried and tested systems with high levels of security and quality control are recognised for this purpose. However, the exam board warns that changes announced by the Home Secretary may not reduce the number of bogus students applying for courses in the UK.
CEO Dr Michael Milanovic says, "We recognise the need for a well regulated student visa system, but there is little evidence to suggest that the people who are abusing the system are predominantly those with a very low level of English-language skills. I am concerned that changes could prove unfair to a large number of genuine students, particularly those who are at an early stage in their language learning ."
Cambridge ESOL was responding to today's announcement by the Home Office, as part of a package of measures designed to reduce the number of people inappropriately obtaining UK student visas. Home Secretary Alan Johnson said that prospective students coming to the UK for courses of six months or more under the Points Based System will have to demonstrate that their level of English is at least equivalent to Level B1 of the Common European Framework of Reference.
The announcement follows discussion between language teaching specialists and the UK Border Agency. Cambridge ESOL hosted a major conference on the subject in Westminster last month.
Cambridge ESOL, a department of the University of Cambridge, has extensive experience of working with governments, businesses and universities throughout the world to develop and implement practical language assessment solutions. It provides secure, fit-for purpose exams taken by over 3 million people every year. It is committed to making a positive contribution to a fair, effective system for managing student migration so that bona fide students are able to gain visas while excluding bogus applicants.
Milanovic concludes, "Language assessment plays a key role in this process. Its effectiveness depends not only on the selection of appropriate tests, but on a rigorous end-to-end system for managing the assessment process."
