In strong contrast to the previous Points Based System, the UK now requires a credibility interview for international students, citing a need to extend radically the border agency's interviewing programme.
The system was put into place following the results of a pilot interview programme, held from December 2011 to February 2012, in which Entry Clearance Officers (ECOs) interviewed a certain number of applicants in order to hypothetically test their intentions in coming to study and then depart the country. According to the government, the ECOs found 32 per cent of applicants potentially ineligible for entry based on credibility requirements.
Under the Tier 4 Points Based System process, prospective non-European national students must provide a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) by a registered Tier 4 Sponsor education provider. They must apply for entry clearance overseas and meet criteria including minimum English language skills. Eligibility is based on having a total of 40 points (30 points for the CAS and 10 points for having sufficient funds for living expenses and course fees).
Students intending to attend a course of six months or less may choose the student visitor route, under which they are not allowed to bring dependants, work or extend their stay. This route also does not require formal sponsorship.
Previously prospective students were not normally interviewed, and it was up to the Tier 4 sponsors, or educational institutions, to ensure that the student intended to study for the course and met educational requirements. However in response to a Home Office report citing significant levels of student non-compliance with visa terms, a series of changes has been introduced in order to curb abuse, and these include additional credibility interviews to determine intentions.
Students may now have to attend two level interviews, the first of which is a video conference with a UKBA official in the UK at the VFS Global Office where student applications are first submitted. They may then be asked to attend a second interview at the UK embassy for a face to face interview, in order to determine if they are in fact a genuine student who intends to comply with all terms of their visa.
Already the system has come under fire for replacing the objective nature of the Points Based System. Indeed the UKBA's own site provides guidelines for ECOs that could certainly be considered questionable. Concerns have arisen over whether ECOs are sufficiently knowledgeable in determining comprehension of the English language, applying standards for gaps in education and other considerations.
International student advisors and agents, especially those in 'high risk' countries, are now recommending students to apply early and prepare to the maximum for their interviews. They must ensure they have an excellent understanding of their proposed course of study and how it relates to their previous study, why they chose the particular school and be ready to explain any general issues that may pertain to their personal circumstances. As stated by Bukky Awofisayo, UKEAS Nigeria Country Manager, "Good preparation and early application is simply the key".