Several colleges blacklisted by the UK Border Agency (UKBA) are set to fight to clear their names in court and to seek recompense for their suspension from sponsoring migrant students to study in the UK.
In the UK, the total number of blacklisted colleges by the UKBA stands at 142 and February 2010 saw the extreme step of outright suspending all applications from North Indian, Nepal and Bangladesh.
Much of the UKBA’s action to suspend and blacklist colleges in the UK surrounds the move from the old paper based system, to the more robust electronic Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies system, administered through the Sponsorship Management System. As part of a tightening up of the rules and migrating sponsors onto the new system, the UKBA has undertaken this systematic process of inspection and evaluation.
Many commentators have noted that it is likely the impending visa changes and tightening up of the rules on 3 March 2010 which has caused such a spike in visa applications.
An administrator from a college blacklisted by the UKBA has great concerns over the recent changes:
“There’s no doubt there were some dodgy colleges out there, but clearing them out would be easy with a ‘mystery shopper’ type inspection.
“Instead they are trying to turn colleges into arms of the state and rewarding the truly dodgy colleges, which will simply walk away with students’ money.”
A recent UKBA report on blacklisted colleges, following a meeting of key stakeholders, stated:
“A number of state schools currently remain suspended from the register whilst we clear up their licence issues. Not including state schools, this leaves 90 colleges that are currently suspended.”
All of these UKBA blacklisted colleges in the UK will need to be inspected and reviewed. This clearly creates an issue of length of process and potentially no income for colleges during their suspension.
Many unfortunate blacklisted colleges in the UK feel that they are being punished. Some have even claimed that they are getting into trouble for being open and sharing information with the UKBA: for example, reporting that a sponsor has disappeared. Some education providers have even claimed that the UKBA’s actions are too tough, as no student would want to work illegally in the UK given the state of the economy. However, I believe the opposite to be more likely, but that’s for another post.
The fact that the UKBA has been so indiscriminate in its approach – suspending large and small colleges alike – has drawn great criticism from within the industry. In fact, many within the industry had been warning the Home Office of the dangers of bogus colleges for years. In July 2009 there was even a Home Affairs Select Committee meeting called to examine the issue.
The problems have also created difficult situations for education agents around the world, having collected money and not being in a position to tell their clients when they will be able to begin their studies. Many students are often tied to the college if they’ve paid as they most likely won’t be eligible for a refund.
Hi sir,
I was studying an Advanced Diploma in Tourism and Hospitality Management from April 2009 at LSBC college. I was granted student visa till June 2010 to do this course.
But in Jan 2010, the college was removed from the Tier 4 register. The college also shut down without informing any students of what is happening. I have been unable to obtain my attendance records from this college and have lost all my fees as they did not even give a refund.
I have now applied to study an MBA starting in June 2010 at another Tier 4 sponsor. Dow you think that my application for extension of student visa may get refused for
a) not being able to show attendance at the previous college from April 2009 even if its not my fault?
b) if they asked me what have I been doing from Jan 2010 after my college shut down, if I say I have been looking up a better institute to study at, would this be acceptable?
Please help me.
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Hi Nisha
A study gap of five months will be too long I think. I also do not think that looking for a new sponsor for five months would be accepted as a valid reason for the gap.
To discuss the precise details of your individual case you should also consult a fully qualified and regulated immigration lawyer. Find one near you at the OISC
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Dear All its a very nice step UKBA took. I work for a college since 2001 and have numerous cases when student took a visa and gain entry to UK. This will be stopped. Student not registering in time will be in trouble from day one.. Dont just talk about college our universities take candidates with part fees from overseas and their studend disappears all togather. 8000 applies and 3000 pass out. But as per UKBA new policy the universities are considered highly trusted.
I dont think its a fault of colleges overall. The good colleges are punished with the few bad colleges. I know one instance when the college was on summer break and the inspector from UKBA de-listed the college.
This is more of a potential business for the college as these bogus one closing down.
There should be a policy for the owners who are running bogus colleges to refund the fees if they are unable to defend their point with UKBA.
Also the accrediting bodies should be more responsible. As far as i remember BAC de-listed 100 of colleges which are accredited by ASIC now. I am really surprised how a newly privately owned company which are unable to file their own accounts in time are called accrediting bodies. They should make sure the people associated with these bogus colleges are not associated with the other college in any way. (I understand these people are reinvesting the monies they runaway with, in this fair trade by opening new college and giving this trade a bad name.)
Studnet who are still looking for a college status should wait for no more than 2 months and join another college so their studies are atleast effected.
Besides everything college has attendance policies check the policy and comply with it. Else no use posting messages on these forums.
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dear sir
I’m from myanmar. I would like to know about of HAMMERSMITH MANAGEMENT COLLEGE . HMC has been suspended I know .
I want to withdraw my school admmission & I want to get my school deposit fees 1160 pounds . So I resent my visa letter original to school at last january . But I never get any reply from school .
I’ve already sent several mail & I called many phones .
They never reply to me.
so I’m very upset & worried for my deposit fees .
If I never get my money I can’t join another school .
What can I do for my money ?
Please show me the way.
please
please
please
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Hi
Have you got a copy of the school’s terms and conditions?
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dear sir .
iam dhondi rajeshwar i applyed student visa on 11-01-2010
i got my visa on 01-02-2010, my collage name is ukhelp4u acadamy of english , i heard that this collage is in blacklistd, my classes form 01-04-2010,
can i go to uk now .are what can i do now ?
i have piad 1500gbd to collage .
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dear mohammed
iam rajeshwar my collage also same i got my visa on 01-02-2010 but that collage is in blacklistd by ukba home office that way thay was send return u more informion call me on 9848777760.
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hello sir/madam
i got visa of u.k on 4/02/2010 for tier 4 genrel student .college name is uk help4u acadami of english launge.on 13feb i came to u.k at hetrow airpote londen but the immgration offers sent me back to my contry i.e india.the immgration told me that ther is no endroll ment in my college and agent did froud with me and they send to my contry .again i went to apply for college or university .i went to know will i get visa or not.plz .thank you.email id; ibbu_fazil@yahoo.com .plz reply me.
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dear sir
what about ukhelp4u acadamy of english.
this collage will back to register or not
what the stetas of this collage sir
plz canfrom me sir.
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Dear Sir,
I am a student of south Thames College. I got the visa 22 July 2009 as tier 4 rules and admitted the college about post graduate diploma in management subject. My visa expiries on November 2011. I have completed B.Sc in computer science in Bangladesh and have 2 year work experience. But the thing is that I do no like to continue this college. I want to admit another college at OTHAM or same or others subjects this current semester. If possible please inform me. Some reason behind to change the college
1. When the college offer visa letter they offer 3 months Academic pre-sessonal course. But when I was enrolled they offered IELTS course and also gave exam. I got 5.5 score. Before I was same score.
2. Then they enrolled me academic pre-sessonal course 3 months.
I was given £ 3000. They deduct £1800 for IELTS and Pre sessonal course. I think the college next time also offer same course.
3. So I am worried about my main course. As I am science background student this course is hard for me. The college have not OTHAM course and also they can not give permission to change the subject for that reasons I want to change the college.
I will be glad to you if feedback as soon as possible.
Sincerely yours
Mohammad Abdul Motin Mia
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i,m kevin i want to know about my college,is my college suspension?my college is college of it& e-commerce(citec)
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dear sir daniel,
Good day! Kindly post informations regarding BC College of North West London status.
Thank you.
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dear sir daniel,
Good day! Kindly post informations regarding BC College of West London status.
Thank you.
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dear sir .
iam dhondi rajeshwar i applyed student visa on 11-01-2010
i get my visa on 01-02-2010, my collage name is ukhelp4u acadamy of english , i heard that this collage is in blacklistd, my classes form 01-04-2010,
can i go to uk now .are what can i do now ?
plese give me the repley as soon as possble.
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Hi,
Could anyone please inform me whether Guildhall College’s licence have been revoked or not? Is there anyway we can find out what’s really going on with this college?
Tarik..
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Well done UKBA – keep a tight rein on matters BUT please start consulting with stakeholders. We do not like to get the impression we are living in a dictatorship and our ideas might be helpful to you.
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hellow back-dated old fellow, probably you are not aware about the fact that at least one of your parents was freshy……..that means you inherit the instinct of a FRESHY……..ALWAYS minful before any comment
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they blame the colleges, the ukba, the whole world, they think bangladesh is the capital of the world…….wake up bangers….u r the problems, the brain eaters, the time wasters…
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all the bangladeshi students in the uk have no 100% intention to study in the uk. they have 10% intention to study and 90% to just come uk and big it up to the families they are in uk. all students are bogus especially bangladeshi, why else they come to colleges and know all this dodgy stuff…..dodgy people know dodgy stuff….
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the guy who has commented on Bangladeshi students is nothing but a stupid as he knows little about them…….actually these dodgy colleges are mainly owned by Indians and Pakistanis alongside the students are studying in……..I do believe the current mess-up is created by such colleges and the students are associated with(Indian N Pakistani)………
In this perspective, gov should tight up the rules and regulations only for Indian and Pakistani students.
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is the ukhelp4u english acadmy came in black list??
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Is it not time that criminal prosecutions were brought against those who perpetrate these crimes? These individuals have NO thought for others; they live on fraudulently obtained money and know that they will never have to face legal chalenges.
Can the UKBA not insitute legal action against the rats who run these scams?
No person is guilty until proved so in a court of law … we need to become tougher on the virus-ridden fraudsters who are a waste of space in this country.
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Off with their heads!
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Well i do hope the ukba are made aware of guildhall colleges scam, they tried to be too clever. Only inside circle know this information but i am going to make it public today. Guildhall are affiliated with east london university. guildhall have a bangladeshi teacher who also teaches at UCL. guildhall employed him to work for them and he approached east london university on behalf of the college and they managed to get east london onboard. Guildhall admit students who have fake certificates onto their bba degree course and the students complete their final year with guildhall, but the scam is they sit their exam in guildhall college where the questions have already been leaked to the students, and there you have it, hundreds of students passing their degree for their 2 years post study work with bogus degrees. the teacher who works at ucl gets his commission. UKBA should ask themselves why guildhall students are all passing this degree course, some of them couldent even pass ABE certificate but managed to get a degree, so bogus bogus guildhall previously this scam was only known amongst bangladeshi but now we all know what they did!!!
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I agree Bored, I think that there are definitely scams occurring on the accreditation side of things too. Sadly, this area has not received as much sustained attention from the UK Border Agency as the college’s themselves have. Let’s hope dodgy accreditation and fake degrees will be the UKBA’s next target.
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hello sir
my problem is. unity college is removed from list so. on 22nd feb i have taken step withdral to withdral my passport..so what is next step i have to take becoz so many colleges are removing from list .. this is my 2nd withdral. plzzzzzzzzzzzz help me out what i have to do, and which college is best. before submiting my file to vfs college are in list . so after submiting unity college is reomved from list.. this is not student mistake..
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Hi Mohammed
What course do you want to study? I can definitely help you find a good course at a stable, A rated sponsor.
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hi…i,m gagan cheema….pls tell me GLYNDWR UNIVERSITY… is blacklisted…??????..pls reply or e-mail me…sir ..i helpful to u..
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sir i want to know when sam come back?
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Hi Moynul
Apparently London SAM was inspected 19 February 2010 so we should hopefully hear something late March.
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Hi Daniel,
Hope you are doing well could you please let me know about the Empire college of London. BECOZ I AM INTERESTED TO DO ACCA FROM THIS COLLEGE. THANKS
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hello sir
my name is kamal i came to london sam for jan intake i had posted the query at beginning and i got the reply that our college is under suspension and they r planning to regain the license but till now the licencse had not regain can i know what is process to approach the home office i want to join in university i want to get money back or else transfer to other unversity please can u help me i m waiting to u r reply …..plz
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Hi Kamal
It can take schools and colleges anywhere from 3-6 weeks to several months to be inspected by the UK Border Agency, for a Sponsor Action Plan to be drafted if needed and to be re-included on the Register.
You should keep checking the master list of college suspensions to see when your colleges suspension is resolved.
Only the college and the UKBA will know for sure. After inspection, 32 days is set aside for correspondence, so it isn’t a quick process. Find out more on the timescales: what happens to my education provider if their licence is suspended?.
I think you will encounter problems trying to change college whilst they are suspended as they are not obligated to give you a refund of your fees. I assume you’ve paid everything already as you have all the documents you needed for your visa application.
You’d have to check the school’s terms and conditions. Most schools and colleges in the UK will only provide a refund upon receipt of original visa refusal documents.
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The majority of changes brought about by the UKBA must be applauded.
The years of rampant expolitation by dodgy college owners is nearing an end – thankfully. he majority were foreign owned businesses by individuals who are scamming to line their own pocket. There are still some around – especially here in London but they will soon be gone. Some still own colleges by proxy.
Too many of those charlatans have taken money from naive and fully aware students; issued false certificates, letters, reports and flouted the law. They now enjoy the luxury of their own homes – both here and in their home country. Sadly, our legal system canot touch them (yet!). They live in the lap of luxury having gained finance from well-meaning students.
They have knowingly and willingly fed the illegal work force.
They have brought the name of British education into disrepute.
Their ruthless and slimy methods have been exposed. Sadly the Government had dragged its feet over the long-reported issue for far too long – now they are responding.
It is good that colleges are seeking legal redress and, depending on the outcome of the legal process, prompt action must follow. If the UKBA has been irresponsible then heads must roll and retribution must follow. If the colleges have no claim in law then they too must be axed – forever – and their owners publicly named and shamed.
However, it remains a MYSTERY why the UKBA did not and does not consult with the stakeholders BEFORE writing their rules and regulations. The fallout and protests being lodged by law-abiding people speak volumes! Getting things right the first time is much easier when consulation is the norm.
PLEASE … UKBA! PLEASE CONSULT – we are behind you! We are not the enemy – we want a GOOD system to be in place!
There are elections on the horizon and this matter is sure to feature – so please get across to us stakeholders and let us TALK.
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I doubt that these bogus college owners will let this deter them. They will simply set up new colleges and do it better next time, they have their old contacts within universitys to gain accredations, they will just be careful. They employed white british men to be principles of their colleges, but next time the whole college will be run by white men and they will find dogdy ones out their, theirs plenty of them willing to be paid for the colour of their skin, and that old bribery always works, some colleges even gave laptops and other expensive gifts to ensure they would be accredated.
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This is why they must be subject to banning orders preventing them from having anything to do with the industry ever again. Better yet, put them in prison.
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dear sir
how about Hammersmith Management
college ?
pls help me
I paid for deposit 1160 pounds for my ABE course .
But my college has been suspended .
so I said to school i would like to refund my deposit money since january 2010
i’ve sent my original visa letter to school for my money.
i said several time to school
i sent several mail & i phoned many calls
but they never reply to me .
so i’m very upset .
I’m worried for my money .
pls show me way how can i do for my deposit money ?
pls
pls
thx
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Hi Aye
To be fair to the school, their suspension was lifted on 16 April 2010. Have you spoken to them since?
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I agree, it’s about time the Home Office took action to clean up the system. Successive Governments have failed to act, ignoring warnings coming direct from the industry. What annoys me is that the whole situation could have been managed so much better had policy be implemented with time and care. I’m afraid to say that the whole situation of the past few months stinks of election campaigning. The fact that the UK Border Agency is oblivious to announcements made by the Home Office and construed as having immediate effect, is just one example of the flawed implementation of this clean up act.
The actions of some at the very top of the private education tree, have acted in such a wicked manner. They were running out-right cons and they must have known that it wouldn’t last forever. I don’t buy into the whole terrorism scare aspect that the Government is trying to hard sell; more likely, the industry is so awash with cash that it attracts conmen like the financial markets have in the past.
I agree that there needs to be a strong remedy in law to prevent such a situation from arising in the future. Banning orders on management of dodgy colleges would be a good step. Asset freezing to protect legitimate students caught up in the mess would be great too, however, protection is available for students in the insurance market.
I fear the the UK Border Agency’s refusal to consult before making the rules is borne out of the institution’s culture: many of the UKBA’s higher echelon are ex-prison service, so you can imagine their mindset. Also, our current Labour Government could hardly be said to accept expert advice following consultation – just look at the mess surrounding the classification of cannabis and the spectalur public fallout that followed.
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Good news
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