[holding answer 26 November 2010]: The information requested is given in the following table and relates to the financial year.
Tier 4 (students) of the points based system was introduced on 31 March 2009 providing a robust system aimed at ensuring legitimate students are able to come here to access our world renowned educational facilities while protecting the route from abuse. As a result of the review of Tier 4 commissioned by the Prime Minister in November, we announced in February a balanced and targeted package of measures to further tighten the robustness of the system. Measures include, among others, raising the standard of English required to study in the UK and introducing a “highly trusted sponsor” scheme.
In February we also implemented suspensions of Tier 4 applications in north India, Bangladesh and Nepal to ensure proper scrutiny of applications. We lifted the suspension for applications at degree level (and for foundation degrees) in north India at the beginning of March. The other suspensions remain in place and are being kept under review.
October to December January to March April to June July to September October to December January to March April to June July to September Applications India 5,523 8,597 4,714 22,944 8,109 12,017 8,123 54,749 Pakistan 6,387 7,581 5,647 11,447 5,613 8,094 2,515 8,532 Bangladesh 2,163 3,277 2,399 3,548 1,456 2,563 1,161 11,567 Sri Lanka 995 1,284 977 2,724 1,647 2,157 1,172 4,178 Nepal 847 942 573 757 400 329 2,154 9,964 Malaysia 1,163 747 894 5,364 1,027 501 658 5,957 Nigeria 4,632 4,571 3,523 15,046 5,976 5,406 1,413 10,395 Issued India 3,127 5,068 2,633 17,661 4,905 7,807 3,884 31,416 Pakistan 1,777 2,185 1,510 4,705 1,260 1,499 1,553 4,961 Bangladesh 896 1,147 758 1,492 762 1,200 979 8,249 Sri Lanka 381 546 350 1,901 885 886 648 2,813 Nepal 300 229 88 281 145 210 288 6,370 Malaysia 1,011 691 699 4,749 1,003 462 477 5,447 Nigeria 1,673 1,769 768 5,999 1,826 1,683 668 7,646 Note: These data are based on management information. They are provisional and subject to change.