How much for a degree?

Last night I watched the Dispatches programme about UK universities ‘selling’ degrees.

As someone who worked in the International Admissions dept of a UK university for a number of years I didn’t feel it went far enough.

International students are seen as cash cows for many universities, so much so they are actively recruited even when they are not suited to study at university level. Their qualifications are either ignored or ‘reassessed’ to make them fit the entry criteria.

There are two recognised bodies used by most UK institutions. IELTS which carries out English language assessments around the world and is part of the British Council (there is also TOEFL, a US company) and NARIC who provides accurate comparisons between UK qualifications and those around the world.

These provide excellent information which should ensure all students are equally qualified to undertake Higher education, either at degree level or postgraduate study.

Unfortunately, there is no requirement for universities to adhere to these guidelines, therefore the admissions officer (or academic, etc) is free to disregard the evidence and make an offer of a place at university to anyone they please. 

This usually means poorly qualified, often unable to speak English, and low quality candidates. 

I have seen many international students given university places that would never have been offered to UK students with the same level of qualifications. Even UK natives are expected to have a GCSE in English, yet we offered places to people who have to contact us via an interpreter! 

I was once informed by a senior manager that I was to be quiet when I questioned an offer made to someone who was ill qualified for entry on a degree programme (they were actually offered a PhD candidacy) as I should remember they paid £10,000 a year to “come here and fail”. There is absolutely no interest in either the students, nor in the quality of the service offered – it’s entirely about the money they can bring.

This, in itself, is often an erroneous belief. Many students do not have the fees; they borrow them from a family friend in order to obtain the visa required to enter the UK. Some actually attend the university and attend lectures while promising the money (they can then return home and claim to have a UK qualification), but many others merely disappear upon arrival in the UK.

To give one example; a couple of years ago my department issued unconditional offers (needed to obtain a visa) to almost 100 Ghanaian applicants. Not one enrolled.

This is being tightened up now with the introduction of the new visa system, but I have heard many academics state they will not keep a record on students attendance, so who knows...

I know of academics who have been bullied (by senior members of the university) to accept unsuitable students, or academics who seem to be willing to offer a visa letter to anyone in sight. I am personally aware of one academic who ‘guaranteed’ offer letters in exchange for an arrangement fee. This was a few years ago and has hopefully been stopped.

The simple truth is UK universities see the international community as a source of large amounts of cash – most universities now regard this as a major part of their recruitment – and they are willing to overlook many aspects of the application - provided the student says they have the fees.

There are also those ‘students’ who are only interested in gaining entry into the UK. It is much simpler to apply to the UK as a student (false documents abound) and enter as a legal visitor than it is to attempt to come into the country illegally. It’s also cheaper as many universities issue the visa letter before asking for fees.

A number of terror suspects in recent years have been here on student visas. This alone should cause universities to think hard about their recruitment policies. My ex-colleagues and I have all commented on the possibility of seeing one of our ‘dubious’ applicants on the front page of the newspapers.

I can only hope this situation is repeatedly highlighted until the authorities address it. Many International students come here to gain a UK qualification as they feel it is respected worldwide. These students, along with UK students, deserve better than the service they receive. 

International students represent an important market for the UK and they should not be left feeling as though no-one cares. A good international student deserves a good university. Let’s remember they are probably equally horrified to find themselves in a lecture with students who were their inferior back home. They also are unlikely to appreciate the image given by these poor quality students who are seen by many to be typical internationals.