Changes to Immigration Rules affecting Tier 4

The UK Border Agency (UKBA) has made certain changes to the Immigration Rules affecting migrant students and educational providers which sponsor them under Tier 4 of the points-based system.

As part of these changes, only sponsors who hold a Highly Trusted Sponsor Licence (HTS) can now offer the following courses, known as 'restricted courses', to Tier 4 (General) students:

• Courses at National Qualifications Framework (NQF) level 3 or equivalent; and
• Courses below degree level that include a work placement (other than foundation degrees, which can still be offered with a work placement by any Tier 4 (General) sponsor).

Educational providers who hold a standard Tier 4 sponsor licence can only offer courses at or above NQF level 4 or equivalent. Also they cannot offer courses that include work placements unless those courses are degree-level courses or foundation degrees.