The Government has proposed some significant changes to the Tier 4 student visa route, which will have an impact on the student experience and possible on recruitment.

Whilst the University of Warwick shares the Government's desire to reduce the number of bogus colleges, which damage the reputation of the UK as a whole, we have lobbied hard against many of the key changes that could impact negatively on our international student body including our alumni.

The University of Warwick has taken the following steps to lobby the Government and to alert students to the proposed changes and to encourage them to share their views:

1. International Office representatives attended the launch of the Home Affairs Select Committee enquiry into the impact of the proposed changes. This enabled us to put down on record our major concerns about a number of the proposals, particularly the scrapping of Post Study Work. Warwick then submitted a 2,500 word formal response to the Committee, which will form part of the Committee's report, which the Government is obliged to respond to.
   
2. The University submitted a formal response to the Tier 4 consultation exercise (which is available for downloading).
   
3. The Vice-Chancellor has lobbied local MPs against a number of the changes, particularly the scrapping of Post Study Work.
   
4. Emailed all international students about the changes and the potential impact on them and encouraged them to take part in the consultation
   
5. Emailed all international students a separate request to complete the NUS survey on Post Study Work
   
6. Encouraged students to complete the consultation in this term’s international student newsletter
   
7. Asked the Students’ Union to publicise the consultation and NUS survey on PSW to all students on their website and through their communications channels
   
8. Given briefings at key departments with large international student cohorts on the proposed changes
   
9. Set up student briefing sessions for 27 April, when we should know the outcome of the consultation

At a meeting earlier this week, attended by the International Office, the Minister of State for Universities and Science , stated that he expected new policy guidance on Tier 4 to be available in the next few weeks so we are expecting further news by late March. As soon as this information is available, we will advise students and staff via our website.