2nd October 2013 9:00
By Blue Tutors
In a recent conference, Business secretary Vince Cable raised concerns that the number of international students in the UK had fallen because they are not being made to feel welcome. He cited data which shows that more international students are opting to study in Australia and the USA, where they feel they will be offered a more positive reception. News has got out international academic circles that international students are not welcome in the UK, after the government’s immigration policy changed to classify foreign students as immigrants if they stay for more than a year. Their being allowed to reside in the country after study depends on the amount of money they earn after graduating. Further issues include the fact that not enough provisions are made to help international students with language and writing, or support with visas and accommodation.
International students bring in a huge amount of money for universities, so we can certainly more afford to alienate them. But this also raises questions of how we work with international students across the board. This is something that tutoring agencies usually have quite some experience with, as international families often hire tutors when they visit the UK, with the intention of improving their child’s English so they might study in the UK in future. As tutors there isn’t much we can do directly to influence the government’s current policy, but we can certainly help prepare international students for study in the UK. One of the most important things we can do is educate our students and their families on how the higher education system works, and the processes they will need to go through in order to apply. Understanding the policies of prospective universities on level of written and spoken English, and taking students through the application process can help make students and their families make an informed decision.
Further, tutors can help students develop the skills they will need in order to thrive at university in the UK. Working on their standard of written and spoken English is paramount, and its importance is often underestimated by students hoping to study science and maths-based degrees. Tutors can provide a long-term work schedule to improve English language, which will be beneficial long after the student has stopped seeing the tutor. Tutors who specialise in the subject the student is applying for can give the student an idea of what material their chosen course will cover, and provide a head start on getting to grips with the programme. Tutors who are themselves international students can provide valuable tips on surviving the UK education system, as well as give information on international societies and organisations which can help with visas and accommodation. Although studying in the UK might not be the most attractive prospect for international students at the moment, hiring a tutor to go through the options can help students make an informed decision.