Recent impacts of immigration policy on student recruitment objectives: some brief observations

1
Recent impacts of immigration policy on student
recruitment objectives some brief observations

• Ian Creagh
• Kings College London

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Now compared with last seminar

• International student numbers and quality up
  year on year growth
• But....recruiters continue to deal with negative
  feedback/views in various markets
• And...compliance team, international student
  advisers and international recruiters have their
  work cut out in terms of obviating recruitment
  risks arising from poor administration of visa
  policy

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Whats new? Whats changed

• April 1 Home Office announcement
• On 1 April 2013 the UK Border Agency was split
  into two separate units within the Home Office a
  visa and immigration service and an immigration
  law enforcement division. By creating two
  entities instead of one, we will be able to
  create distinct cultures. First, a high-volume
  service that makes high-quality decisions about
  who comes here, with a culture of customer
  satisfaction...
• No tangible difference at this stage
• Unsurprising system process change of
  significant proportions

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Whats new? Whats changed (2)

• Premium service
• The premium customer service will allow
  educational establishments to provide an enhanced
  level of customer service....the benefits include
  a dedicated account manager ....and priority
  treatment on all matters relating to their
  responsibilities as a sponsor...
• No tangible difference
• Still direct the home team to paragraphs in the
  guidance rather than interpretative advice in
  areas of policy ambiguity

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Whats new? Whats changed (3)

• Overseas visitors records office activity
  negative feedback on how it has been
  operationalised
• English language credibility tests extended to
  T4 applicants. Lack of clarity as to what it
  means at this stage
• Will be an issue in the 2013/14 cycle for Kings
• Certificate of sponsorship costs have increased
  55 k in 12/13

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Whats new? Whats changed (4)

• Creation of the Higher Education Assurance Team
  positive
• Co-regulation working group with UKVI
• 6 people. Good quality. Familiarisation visits
  to universities.
• Avoiding regional variation. Continuity of
  relationships understood.
• Working collaboratively on audit templates
• Front loading higher risk institutions
• Main pre-occupation loose links with feeder
  colleges

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In summary

• Splitting the former organisation into
  enforcement and visa administration
  organisations...should pay off in time, but
  emphatically has not at this stage
• Armageddon in terms of student recruitment has
  not manifest...at this stage
• Largely due to the way in which HEI compliance,
  advisory and recruitment teams have managed the
  regulator.