WHAT IS IELTS?

IELTS or 'International English Language Testing System', is an international standardised test of English language proficiency. It is jointly managed by University of Cambridge ESOL Examinations, The British Council and IDP Education Pty Ltd, was established in 1989.

Two Version of IELTS:
There are two versions of the IELTS:

1): The Academic Version and
2): The General Training Version


The Academic Version:
The Academic Version is intended for those who want to enrol in universities and other institutions of higher education and for professionals such as medical doctors and nurses who want to study or practise in an English-speaking country.

The General Training Version:

The General Training Version is intended for those planning to undertake non-academic training or to gain work experience, or for immigration purposes.

IELTS is accepted by most Australian, British, Canadian, Irish, New Zealand and South African academic institutions, over 3,000 academic institutions in the United States, and various professional organisations. It is also a requirement for immigration to Australia, New Zealand and Canada.

No minimum score is required to pass the test. An IELTS result or Test Report Form is issued to all candidates with a score from 1 (no knowledge) to 9 (expert user) and each institution sets a different threshold. Institutions are advised not to consider valid a report older than two years, unless the user proves that he has worked to maintain his level.

In 2007, IELTS tested over a million candidates in a single 12-month period for the first time ever, making it the world's most popular English language test for higher education and immigration.

AUSTRALIA EASE VISA PROCESSING FOR STUDENTS FROM 29 COUNTRIES

A statement released today by the Minister for Immigration and Citizenship, Chris Bowen MP, announced that the Government will make the visa application process easier for students from 29 countries by reducing assessment levels across a range of student visa subclasses. These changes go into effect from 24 March 2012. The news comes in response to the Department of Immigration and Citizenship’s (DIAC) 2011 review of student visa assessment level settings, which, as reported in a previous post, recommended that a number of assessment levels be changed.

“While it was recommended that some assessment levels be increased, I have decided to only implement the reductions in order to best support Australia’s international education sector,” Mr Bowen said.

“Lowering the minimum evidentiary requirement for the grant of a student visa for selected countries and visa subclasses is expected to help around 10,500 prospective students.These changes will particularly benefit the postgraduate research sector, English Language Intensive Courses for Overseas Students (ELICOS) and vocational education and training (VET) providers.” For example, South Koreans studying VET and ELICOS courses and postgraduate research students from China, India and Indonesia will now find it easier to apply for visas.

“The reduction in assessment levels builds on the measures implemented as a result of the Strategic Review of the Student Visa Program, undertaken by the Hon. Michael Knight, to ensure Australia remains an attractive study option for overseas students,” Mr Bowen said.

Assessment levels are an important tool in managing the student visa programme, as they ensure the efficient delivery of services to a diverse range of students while supporting the integrity of Australia’s immigration programme.

Universities Australia welcomed the changes to the student visa system, “It really is a terrific outcome not just for the higher education sector but for the Australian economy more broadly because at a time we’re seeing manufacturing struggling, tourism struggling, both primarily because of the strong Australian dollar, it’s really important for those industries that are strong to be able to step up to offset some of those economic implications,” said Universities Australia chief executive, Belinda Robinson.

STUDENT WORK VISA FOR CANADA

Many foreign students studying in Canada need to work to pay their bills while in Canada. Government has a visa for students to work while studying.

If you are a full time student (at least 15 hours a week) you can work on campus without a work visa. For students who want to work off campus, must have been studying in Canada for the past 6 months and be registered for the upcoming session. You will have to submit to Citizenship and Immigration Canada form IMM 5580. If you are approved, you will be allowed to work off campus.

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IN NETHERLANDS MASTERS SCHOLARSHIPS WILL BE TURNED IN TO LOANS

From 2013, Dutch students will no longer receive a scholarship during their masters studies. Legislation was recently passed to turn the scholarship into a loan. According to the student union LSVB this is the biggest budget cut ever for Dutch students.

The Dutch education authorities say students will face additional costs of up to EUR 3,200 (US$4,255) a year. They will be able to pay back the loan, provided by the government, over 20 years. The law is part of a EUR18 billion set of cuts introduced by the coalition cabinet.

Under-secretary of Education Halbe Zijlstra said: “It is not unreasonable to ask more of students financially. They will prosper in the future because of their education.”He added that the government – and thus the taxpayer – will keep on paying most of the costs of higher education programmes.The new law is controversial in The Netherlands.

According to the LSVB this is the biggest budget cut ever for Dutch students. Chair Pascal ten Have stressed that higher education will become less accessible for students. He fears that many will no longer pursue a masters because they do not want to end up with huge debts.Student organisation ISO emphasised that it is not fair for students to face higher costs without receiving a better education in return.

The law especially affects universities of science and technology, which have two-year masters programmes. Masters at most other universities are of one year’s duration. Anne Flierman, chair of Dutch Universities of Technology, thinks the law is odd because The Netherlands needs more science and technology postgraduates in the future. 

SCHOLARSHIPS FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS

The UK government and other organisations in the UK offer a range of international student scholarships and awards.

Here is a brief look at some of the major scholarships and awards.

British Chevening Scholarships

The British Chevening Scholarship scheme aims to bring future leaders, decision-makers and opinion-formers to the UK for a period of postgraduate study. To be eligible, you should have a proven record of success and have the potential to rise to a position of power and influence in your chosen career.

Chevening awards are given annually to students from a wide variety of countries. They cover all or part of the cost of a one-year postgraduate course in the UK. Once you have completed the course, you will be expected to return to your home country. 

Commonwealth Scholarship and Fellowship Plan (CSFP)

The CSFP is aimed at Commonwealth citizens who can make a significant contribution to their home country after studying in the UK. If you are from a developing country in the Commonwealth, your chosen area of work is expected to contribute directly to development objectives. If you are from a developed Commonwealth country, you should have the potential to become a leader in your chosen profession.

CSFP Scholarships are usually for between one and three years. They cover the cost of travel to and from the UK, tuition fees and living expenses. In some cases an allowance is paid to help with the cost of maintaining your spouse and family in the UK.

Commonwealth Shared Scholarship Scheme

The Commonwealth Shared Scholarship scheme assists students from developing Commonwealth countries who would benefit from higher education in the UK. If you are unable to study in the UK for financial reasons and are outside the scope of other British government support schemes, you may be eligible.

To apply for a Commonwealth Shared Scholarship you should be:

• of high academic calibre
• intending to study subjects of developmental relevance to your home country
• under 35 years old at the time your course starts
• able to speak fluent English
• not employed by your government or an international organisation
• resident in a developing Commonwealth country

Royal Society Fellowships

The Royal Society offers incoming fellowships for researchers from North America and Asia. The aim is to attract outstanding post-doctoral scientists to undertake high-quality research at a UK laboratory. 

Scotland's Saltire Scholarships

Under this scheme, 200 awards are available to postgraduate master’s students from Canada, China, India and the USA. This is part of the Scottish government's continuing support for the 'brightest and best' students to come and study in Scotland.

AUSTRALIA DOORS OPEN FOR FOREIGN STUDENTS

Australia's 39 universities are preparing for a brand new day in 2012: not only will government quotas on the number of local students they enrol be lifted, but they will also be able to recruit as many foreigners as they wish as a result of a new fast-track visa system.

In an unexpectedly generous move that surprised even sceptical vice-chancellors, the federal government decided to lift most restrictions on the issuing of student visas to overseas students applying for a university place, opening the way for a likely flood of new applications from China, India, Pakistan and other Asian countries.

Universities that agree to meet certain requirements regarding the students they admit will also have access to a new streamlined system that will speed up visa processing.

Australia Awards ___ Development Awards

Australia Awards are an Australian Government initiative designed to promote knowledge, education links and enduring ties between Australia, our neighbours and the global community. Australia Awards include Development Awards administered by AusAID and the Endeavour Awards administered by the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations.Development Awards are an important component of Australia’s investment in education They provide a range of opportunities for study, research and professional development in Australia. 

Australia's Development Awards provide opportunities for all.They are targeted to provide enhanced leadership, knowledge and technical skills to partner governments, tertiary institutions and strategic organisations that are driving sustainable development. Australia's Development Awards have been an important component of the Australian Government’s efforts to reduce poverty and achieve sustainable development since the 1950s.

They aim to:

• develop capacity and leadership skills so that individuals can contribute to development in their home country
• build people-to-people linkages at the individual, institutional and country levels.

Long term awards include

1. Australian Development Scholarships (ADS),
2. Australian Leadership Award Scholarships (ALA Scholarships) for high achieving applicants and
3. Australian Regional Development Scholarships (ARDS).
4. Australian Leadership Awards Fellowships (ALA Fellowships),
5. Prime Minister's Pacific-Australia Awards and short courses.

To ensure equity and broad participation, AusAID encourages women, people with disability, ethnic minorities, people living in rural areas and members of socio-economically disadvantaged groups to apply.