http://www.guardian.co.uk/education/2011/mar/22/number-foreign-students-to-be-cut
Foreign students numbers to be cut by 25%
Government to close fake colleges, bar entry for students with poor English skills and bring in new restrictions on staying in UK after courses finish
International students at Wigan College THOMOND - International students at Wigan College, Photograph: Christopher Thomond
The number of foreign students and their dependants coming to Britain could be cut by around 100,000 a year under plans unveiled by the government.
Theresa May, the home secretary, said the “radical” clampdown would close fake colleges and block entry for those who cannot speak English adequately.
There will also be tougher restrictions on non-EU students staying in the UK after their course finishes – including a rule that they must find a job that pays at least £20,000 a year.
May told MPs that while the coalition wanted to attract the “brightest and best” to the UK, the visa system became “broken” under the Labour government.
“This package will stop the bogus students, studying meaningless courses at fake colleges,” she said.
"It will protect our world-class institutions. It will stop the abuse that became all too common under Labour.
“And it will restore some sanity to our student visa system.”
She said she expected the measures would reduce the number of student visas issued by 70,000-80,000 annually – equivalent to a 25% decrease.
Officials indicated the number of dependants coming to the UK was likely to go down by around 20,000.