An assault on students: the details

Changes being introduced for students from the 13/07/2015
The main changes are as follows:
• New students at publicly funded colleges can no longer work in the UK;
• College students ( which is not defined)  will not be able  to switch to a work visa category
• Extend their study visa whilst they are in the UK.
• The rules around academic progression are being tightened so that university students will only be allowed to extend their studies at the same academic level if the course they wish to study is linked to their previous course, or if the university confirms the course “supports” the student’s career aspirations (not clear how this will translate into the rules).
• The time limit on further education study will be reduced from three years to two years  in "the autumn"( no date provided yet).
• The application of the rules on time limits is being "clarified" so that the time a student has already spent studying in the UK is calculated using the full length of the leave they have previously been granted.
• The maintenance requirement for Tier 4 students will increase.
• The rule around “established presence” which allowed students applying to extend their leave within the UK to show only two months’ maintenance is being removed.
• Changes are being made to allow a Tier 4 visa to be issued in line with a student’s intended date of travel.
• Conditions of study are being changed, to prevent those in Tier 4 from studying at academies or schools maintained by a local authority. Those who wish to study a foundation course to prepare for entry to higher education are also being prevented from doing so under the Tier 4 (Child) route.