Please don’t forget that English Study Breaks can also provide degree and post-graduate courses for overseas students at UK universities. The time to start planning for your 2012 university place is now. Get in touch and we will advise you on the best course and university for you. We will do all the research and planning for you free of charge. Contact us today.

From April this year, for students who wish to study at NQF/QCF 6 (SCQF 9) and above
there is no requirement to produce a Secure English Language Test (SELT) certificate, the Higher Education Institution (including all UK universities) can vouch on the confirmation of acceptance for studies (CAS) that the
student has attained the required B2 level on the Common European Framework of Reference for
languages (CEFR) in all 4 components.

English Study Breaks is constantly adding new products to its range. The latest exciting service is an English camp in Canada, where you can study English whilst experiencing the great Canadian outdoor lifestyle. Contact us for more details.

We are delighted to announce that English Study Breaks has teamed up with a first class provider of on-line English courses. This means that you can start your English language education from home, so why not give it a try – just send us an email or complete the enquiry form and let us do the rest?

English Study Breaks is further expanding its geographical reach.

We now have Country Managers for southern France (Christine) Romania (Andreea), Philippines (AJ) and Belgium (Marie).

To contact Andreea please email her at andreea@englishstudybreaks.com. For Christine: christine@englishstudybreaks.com. To send an email to AJ:aurora@englishstudybreaks.com; and you will find Marie at: marie@englishstudybreaks.com.

English Study Breaks will shortly be offering a range of university programmes for its customers, including foundation; pre-degree; degree; and post-graduate course. Contact us for further details.

There will be substantial changes to General Student Visas (GSVs) in April and summer of this year. Please check with the UK Borders Agency (http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/) for details. The main issues are that Secure English Language Tests (SELTs) will replace SKYPE interviews and that (from summer 2011) no paid employment will be permitted.

The UK Government has announced changes to the student visa rules.

The proposed changes include several areas that are relevant to our recruitment of international students on Tier 4 Adult General Student Visas (GSV) for English language courses at LSC. The main changes that are proposed are:

- The only educational institutions that will be allowed to sponsor GSV students will be Highly Trusted Sponsors (HTS). As you know, the schools we use are Highly Trusted Sponsors.
- The minimum level of English required for a GSV remains at CEFR B1;
- GSV Students will need to prove that they are at level B1 by holding a recognised certificate (eg IELTS, TOEFL, Cambridge FCE, Pearson);
- GSV students at private colleges will not be able to work part-time.

At the time of writing, it is not clear when these changes will come into effect. It is our understanding that most of these changes will be introduced by April 2012. However, it is possible that some will be introduced more quickly. We will find out the exact position on 31 March 2011 when the Government publishes a new draft of the Immigration Rules.

As previously indicated, the UK Government has created a new category of visa especially for English language students. This is called the Extended Student Visitor Visa (ESVV). Although students on this visa are not able to work, the application cost is much lower than for a Tier 4 General Student Visa, there is no minimum level of English required (e.g. Beginners can apply for this visa), and students can study on this visa for up to 11 months.

As ever, if you have any questions please post a comment or drop us an email at: info@englishstudybreaks.com.

Zeynep Aslanhan is the latest addition to our growing team of talented country managers. She takes responsibility for the business in Turkey. Please see her profile on our About Us page. If you would like to contact Zeynep please email her at: zaslanhan@englishstudybreaks.com

English Study Breaks has a new Country Manager for Korea. Her name is Sarah Yunmi Tae and she is currently a student at York University, UK. Please see her profile on our About Us page. To contact Sarah please email her at: sarahtae@englishstudybreaks.com.