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The official word
Seek official counsel before joining a UK institute, urges Jacqui Allan, Education Promotion Manager-India, British Council Division, British High Commission.
Seek official counsel before joining a UK institute, urges Jacqui Allan, Education Promotion Manager-India, British Council Division, British High Commission.
Can you throw light on the issue of “bogus colleges” mushrooming in Britain? Your home secretary David Blunkett reportedly vowed to crack down on them. How serious is the problem?
Unfortunately some private institutions are offering courses (which are not genuine). The British Council works only with bonafide, quality accredited institutions (in the UK).
(Potential students should) check with the Department for Education and Skills website - www.dfes.gov.uk/recognisedukdegrees which gives information about bogus institutions. If you are going to a private institution and not sure of its credentials, and in case you don’t find some information about it on the website, then consult the visa section at the British Council.
According to a news report in the Guardian, the National Union of Students, UK, elected to appoint a part-time international student officer to look after needs of foreign students in Britain. Is the UK government also doing any such thing?
We are pleased that the National Union of Students decided to do this. They are a students body (and can address students concerns better). We have a critical mass of international students. UKCOSA (UK Council for Overseas Students’ Affairs), which was set up in 1968, helps international students in immigration, financial matters, welfare rights, educational advice, legal rights. It’s completely different, it’s an advisory body; (whereas) NUS is the students’ voice. (For instance) if the government comes out with any (new) policy, NUS can respond to it, whether they agree or disagree with it.
The same report mentions that banks in the UK are “reluctant” to open accounts for international students. Is this true?
There is a vast majority of banks in the UK. To open deposit and withdrawal accounts, they will have little problem. But beyond that – like overdraft or credit card facilities – it’s more difficult for an international student.
