In February 2008 the UK introduced a strict new five Tier Points Based System of managed migration. Students are Tier 4 of the new system. The UK Borders Agency (UKBA) will require non EEA students wishing to come to study in the UK to be sponsored by an accredited Educational Institution. All Educational Institutions will need to obtain a License from UKBA and be entered on a publicly available Register of Sponsors before they can legally sponsor a student from outside the EEA. Applications to join the Sponsor Register in the UK as a Sponsored Migrant are now open.

All Educational Institutions must be accredited by a recognised body to show that they are a bona fide educational institution. Only once they are accredited can they take the next step and apply for a Licence to Sponsor non EEA students Registering as a Sponsor with UKBA is different to the accreditation process.

As the Sponsor Register opens, over 15,000 educational institutions will need to join it, which could create long queues. The timetable is not in line with the academic year so early planning is crucial. Failure to be ready will lead to unnecessary delays whilst systems are brought up to scratch, which could damage your business.

The Benefits of Accreditation

Any unaccredited institutions will need to seek accreditation with one of the three approved accreditation bodies as early as possible, in order to ensure that they know what they need to do and to prepare for the accreditation. All private education providers will need to be accredited by one of a limited number of Agency-approved accreditation bodies before they can qualify for as sponsors.

Accreditation will benefit Educational institutions, their students and the education sector as a whole. Once an institution is accredited, it can apply to the UKBA to be registered as a Sponsor which will in turn enable that institution to offer placements to overseas students.

The web pages in this section will help guide you through the new requirements for taking in non-EEA students.