Transport for London penalises foreign language students by ending Oyster Discount Scheme

March 24, 2015 - PRLog -- Transport for London has decided to end its 18+ Student Oyster Scheme for all non-EEA students in London, except for those who study at educational establishments directly accredited by the United Kingdom Border Agency (UKBA). This decision directly affects thousands of foreign students who come to London each year to study English at one of its many language schools on a Student Visitor Visa or Extended Student Visitor Visa. It could have serious repercussions for the UK’s Universities and Colleges, as well as English language schools based in the capital; a market worth £2billion a year in overseas earnings.

In direct opposition to the Government’s stated strategy of attracting international students and promoting the UK’s expertise in education, Sir Peter Hendry, Commissioner for Transport, in a letter to Callan School London, announced the end of the scheme for all those education establishments who do not have UKBA Highly Trusted or A (Trusted) sponsor rating.

Charles Bunker, Chairman of Callan School London, one of the UK’s largest English language schools adversely affected by the decision said: “This is a very bad decision. It is expensive to study in London at the best of times and to give students a discount on tube and bus travel provided an important incentive for them to study here rather than in other English speaking countries. It was a welcoming gesture and to end the scheme now, when the pound is so strong, is just wrong. We are calling upon Boris Johnson, the Mayor of London, to immediately overturn this decision”.

For a non-EEA student to get a visa to study at a UK college or university accredited directly by UKBA they must have a minimum level of English. It is London’s language schools which help these students get the required level of English to meet their ambitions. Without their work, there will be less overseas students capable of getting to University. Typically, these language schools are accredited, not by UKBA directly but, by an accrediting body which is approved by them and their students attend under Student Visitor Visas or Extended Student Visitor Visas.

The UK Government is actively championing UK education imports and has set a target to grow the number of university places taken by overseas students by 20% over the next five years. TfL’s decision to stop offering a 30% discount to foreign language students studying in London will, once again, put them off from coming to the UK and add to the difficulties the Government already has in meeting its target.