PTE Academic accepted by Australian Government for Student Visa Applications (20 May 2011)

The Australian Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) has formally approved PTE Academic as fully satisfying the Government’s requirements for testing the English language proficiency of student visa applicants. The decision means that for the first time in ten years, Australian institutions and their potential students will have a choice of Government-approved English language testing options.

Mr Chris Bowen MP, Australian Minister for Immigration and Citizenship, commented: “I am very pleased Pearson has been chosen as one of the new English test providers and I am confident they will provide a valuable service to student visa applicants.”

Fraser Cargill, Vice President Government Relations for Pearson Asia Pacific, explains: “Pearson is proud to achieve DIAC recognition. Australian institutions are facing a challenging time in the increasingly competitive international student recruitment market and it is important that they have the best possible tools available to recruit students. PTE Academic offers a secure, reliable and quick way for Australian institutions to confidently ensure that they are recruiting students who have the right level of English for their courses.” 

For more information, visit www.pearsonpte.com/diac

Asylum improvement project publishes progress report (26 May 2011)

The UK Border Agency has published a report on progress made by the asylum improvement project.

The asylum improvement project was set up to explore new ways to speed up the processing of asylum applications. The report outlines the progress we have made so far on 25 elements of the project and explains the next steps for asylum reform. It is too early to make a robust assessment of the impact of all 25 elements of the project, but we will do so over the coming months, as part of the next phase of asylum reform.

The asylum improvement project has made a good start by ensuring we can take a more sophisticated approach to scheduling each part of the process, a more consistent approach to how we approach each task and robust analysis of outcomes. Taken together, these things will ensure that we have a balanced system and continually improve our performance.

You can download the progress report from our Reports section.

Brightspark Education Consultants has approved Professional Partner for Pearson Test of English Academic

PTE Academic – Approved for Tier 4 (Student) visa applications 

PTE Academic is a computer-based test of English language proficiency approved by the UK Border Agency (UKBA) for Tier 4 (student visa) applications. If you are applying for a visa, please read the information on the right.

PTE Academic is an English language test for international students; it is widely available and offers fast results. The test is recognized by over 80% of universities and colleges in the UK.

PTE Academic is approved by the UK Border Agency (UKBA) for Tier 4 (student visa) applications when students are required to demonstrate English language competency at a minimum of CEF level B1 or B2.  It is also accepted for Tier 2 applications.

·         If you are applying for entry at undergraduate degree level or higher, check with the institution you are applying to for their PTE Academic score requirements. This is the score you will also need for your Tier 4 (student visa) application.

·         If you are applying for entry to a non-degree program,you will need to demonstrate your English language proficiency at CEFR level B1 for your Tier 4 (student visa) application. PTE Academic is approved for this with a score of at least 43. Note you will need to score 43 in each of the four skills of listening, reading, speaking and writing. There is not a requirement to score 43 in the enabling skills.

Why take PTE Academic?

• Results within 5 business days
• Flexible test dates and late booking
• One single 3-hour test session
• Recognized by over 80% of universities and colleges in the UK

Brightspark Education Consultants has approved Professional Partner for Pearson Test of English Academic

Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE Academic) delivers real-life measures of test takers' English language ability to universities, higher education institutions, government departments and professional associations requiring academic-level English.
The test will accurately measure the listening, reading, speaking and writing ability of test takers who are non-native speakers of English and who want to study at institutions where English is the principal language of instruction.
PTE Academic is robustly aligned with the Common European Framework (CEF), the worldwide benchmark for language ability. The framework was developed by the Council of Europe to enable language learners, teachers, universities or potential employers to compare and relate language qualifications by level. So with PTE Academic, institutions can be confident that they are getting accurate and proven measures of test takers' language ability. 
Pearson has developed PTE Academic to fulfill the need for an English language proficiency test, that will more accurately measure the communication skills of international students in an academic environment.
http://brightsparkconsultants.co.uk/accreditation.php 

Unnecessary immigration appeals to end (19 May 2011)

An end to late evidence in points-based system appeals will help stop misuse of the system, Immigration Minister Damian Green said today.
From Monday 23 May, tribunals will not consider evidence submitted after an application has been made, in appeals relating to applications made in the UK under the points-based system.
UK Border Agency statistics show that around two-thirds of appeals allowed by immigration judges are due to late evidence being submitted.
The rules change is designed to end unnecessary appeals and help make sure that applications are right first time. It will apply to all applications made within the UK through the points-based system.
Damian Green said:

'For too long, the taxpayer has had to shoulder the burden of a system which allowed individuals to drag out their appeal by submitting new evidence at the last minute.
'The changes I am making today will put an end to this practice for good.'

The minister added that this is one of a raft of improvements that will make the system 'more robust, efficient and cost effective'.

The government has already introduced an annual limit on economic migrants from outside the EU, as well as making major reforms to the student visa system.
These measures are aimed at attracting the brightest and the best, while reducing net migration and tackling abuse of the system.
The Minister announced the commencement of the rules change in a written ministerial statement, which you can download from the right side of this page.
http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/sitecontent/documents/news/wms-section-19.pdf