Sinner wrote:"Successful applicants from outside the EU will have to speak English to a level only just below GCSE standard, rather than beginner level as at present"
what does this mean exactly? does it mean students need to give a test after being given visa? or what?
Precise details have not yet been released.
There are some explaining to be done by the UKBA, for example, would english language students have to do the test?
But I think if you are coming to do anything other than a english course, so, for example, ACCA course, Management etc THEN you would have to do a test. What they mean by "GCSE standard" is GCSE English as a foreign Language. It's very basic. You could say it is the same/just below as the English level needed to get a TIER 2 visa.
If it was actual GCSE English Language standard, I doubt if native speakers could pass it!
it looks like once again that the Government has done this for PR purposes. Sure, it will reduce SOME "students" but if you can speak relatively ok English needed for everday life, then, it makes no difference.
And as with the working hours decrease from 20 hours to 10 hours (FOR BELOW DEGREE students) shows good intentions but who's gonna stop students from getting multiple jobs?
Although I do feel that they did a good job in not allowing dependents of below degree students from working.
