You may be aware that St Patrick’s was one of over 100 colleges temporarily suspended from the Tier 4 Sponsors Register by the UKBA in mid January 2010. I am pleased to be able to inform you that I have today received notification from the UK Border Agency (UKBA) that St Patrick’s College has been reinstated on the List of Tier 4 Licensed Sponsors. This follows a visit to the College by Visiting Officers from the UKBA on 15 February when we had the opportunity to answer all their questions and brief them about our procedures. Please be assured that the suspension was purely temporary, and a routine procedure in accordance with UKBA standard practice. It was not the case that the College infringed the regulations in any way, nor was punished for any transgression on our part. The UKBA has asked us to make some minor adjustments to our procedures to take account of changes to the UK Visa Rules already announced today (03 March 2010) and to ensure that we comply with the new procedures which are expected to come into effect in April and June this year. We have already begun working towards full implementation of the recommendations of the UKBA, in order to ensure that in due course our Licence is reinstated at “A” Rate.
Naturally I am delighted to be able to share this good news with you. I should also like to thank you for your patience, trust, and support during this time. I was always confident that we would be able to answer the UKBA’s questions satisfactorily and that our Licence would be restored, but I was surprised at how long it took to complete the process.
Now that the College is back on the UKBA Register does not mean that we can in any way relax the high standards which we have set ourselves. Quite the reverse. The College continues to make real changes in order to further improve the facilities and resources and procedures to exceed expectations of our students and their overall experience, staff and our partners. Our policies and procedures too are continually reviewed, as always, incorporating good practices so we meet our obligations to the UKBA as well as to all stakeholders.
Rules about students needing to prove their bona fides by maintaining a high level of attendance at classes and progress on the course will continue to be strictly monitored and UKBA notified in order to comply with our Tier 4 obligations. We shall also be forced to suspend and or expel students who fall behind with their fee payments, or whose attendance or progress is unsatisfactory and to withdraw sponsorship of the student. I urge you to do your part by attending all classes, submitting your assignments and projects on time, sitting your examinations as required, and passing your examinations and assignments.
The College will issue detailed guidelines for those students who have applied for our January 2010 intake but were unable to travel or proceed because the suspension. These guidelines will be published on this website within the next few days.
Thank you again for your support, patience and forbearance. The College will continue to go from strength to strength and to strive for the highest possible standards. I know that I can rely on you to help us to achieve our common goals.
Raj Kumaran
Director of Education
hi daniel.. finally! st. pats suspension has been lifted.. however, the B rating still bothers me.. hehe..
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so you already applied for your visa Pio?
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Hi Pio
Yes, good news at last! I know the B rating is a bit of a worry, but I’ve seen a number of colleges get their A rating back – even some I didn’t think would manage it. So fingers crossed!
How long is your course?
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I’m alaso glad that the suspension has been lifted.
have you received your visa already?
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This is a Positive news,was waiting to hear it for a long time period.
by the way I too have the question whats the difference been an A rated college and a B rated college ?
sincerely awaiting an answer.
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The B rating is a transitional rating. A sponsor with a B rating must improve its performance within a relatively short time (usually within 6 months) to be upgraded to an A rating – if it does not do this, UKBA may withdraw its sponsor licence. UKBA will draw up a sponsorship action plan for the B-rated sponsor, listing the steps that it must take in order to comply with its sponsorship duties and obtain an A rating.
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Hi Worldenron
That’s right. I think students should study the Tier 4 Sponsor Licence Ratings carefully, as they may be taking a risk enrolling on courses of more than 12 months – the education provider’s licence could still be withdrawn.
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Hi Arun
Study the Tier 4 Sponsor Licence Ratings carefully, as they may be taking a risk enrolling on courses of more than 12 months – the education provider’s licence could still be withdrawn.
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im so happy
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really great news! i wonder when st patrick college was suspended and inspected by the UKBA. Albion College was inspected on Feb 10 but haven’t heard from UKBA yet until now..I am really bothered. I hope somebody can give me info…
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http://giliwness.wordpress.com/
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Hi Giliwness,
St.Patrick’s was suspended on 18th January and was inspected on 15th February. Suspension lifted on 04th March…
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i’m happy for those who enrolled in st.patrick but i’m anxious for myself…my college (albion college) was inspected on Feb 10..Haven’t heard from them since..I’m getting more nervous each day…
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http://giliwness.wordpress.com/
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Fingers cross Giliwness for news this month.
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Good to hear that the college have thier UKBA license back..Such a great news..Just want to ask why it is B rated instead of A rated..Before they have A rated..what is the difference..thanx
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When I applied for this college last Nov/09 it was A rated college. After the suspension it has rated as B. How does this affect for my VISA?
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