Workshops 10 July, 9.30-12.30pm

B1. The adviser’s toolkit

This session is suitable for those new, or relatively new, to advising international students. Its aim is to raise relevant issues (such as the role of the adviser and its boundaries; the nature and purpose of advice; systems and casework recording; networking and action-planning) and to introduce the tools and resources needed to do the job effectively (such as advice lines; where to find information; sources of support).

Kim Burns, Advice and Training Officer, UKCISA

B2. Immigration applications for highly skilled migrants under the Points Based System

In this workshop we will examine the new Points Based System for processing immigration applications from highly skilled migrants.

Kate Handforth, Advice and Training Officer, UKCISA

B3. Stop press

This session is designed to provide participants with updated information on a range of international student issues and changes in legislation that have arisen in the last 12 months. The course is intended for experienced advisers who already have a good understanding of existing provisions affecting international students.
Note: Participants who plan to attend one of the UKCISA Stop Press training events earlier in the year are advised not to attend this session as it will cover the same material.

Sarah Rimmington, Advice and Training Officer

B4. Curious about immigration?

A whistle-stop tour of some of the immigration procedures that affect international students, for those of you who do not advise on immigration but would find it useful for your work to have a basic idea of how the system operates.

Jo Aldhouse, Advice and Training Officer, UKCISA

B5. Asking the Right Questions: fee status questionnaires, documentation and evidence

‘Which passport stamps should I be looking for?’
‘What questions do I need to ask about someone’s nationality or residence?’
‘What about members of the applicant’s family?’
If you are a fees assessor, or advise students on their fee status, this workshop will help you devise or amend your own fee assessment questionnaire and examine what documentation and evidence it is reasonable to request, in order for you to come to a sound, lawful decision. Suitable for both FE and HE staff. Please bring to the workshop a copy of your institution’s current fee status questionnaire, application form or any information you currently provide relating to fee status.

Note: this session will not explain the fees regulations and guidance in detail and may not be suitable for those who are new to fee assessment.

Ros Harrison, UKCISA and Corine Ogden, University of Manchester

B6. Immigration appeals and how to avoid them…

Dealing with immigration refusals is unfortunately an increasing part of an International Student Adviser’s workload. This workshop has a practical focus looking at how we can help students to avoid refusals in the first instance and then identifying the steps to take if a refusal has occurred including the submission of a notice of appeal where appropriate.

Alison Stanley, Partner, Bindman and Partners and Jo Holliday, International Student Advisor, University of Sheffield Union of Students

B7. An introduction to advising students on Schengen visas

Many advisers are expected as part of their role to advise on Schengen visas. Compared to other areas of international student advice, there is relatively little information available on the subject and advisers can consequently feel hesitant when faced with a Schengen query.
This workshop is for beginners or those with a little experience of Schengen advice. We will go back to basics, then progress to looking at the application process (including the form and documents required) and share feedback. The final part of the session will cover best practice in the provision of Schengen advice and discuss how we can employ this in our institutions.


Jo Bainbridge, International Student Advisor, University of Liverpool and Fay Sherrington, Student Support Coordinator, University of Salford

B8. You and your Nigerian students: building cross-cultural understanding

thinkingpeople’s taster session will look at how we can build cross-cultural understanding with our Nigerian students: how we can begin to understand them more and how we can give them better support. We will look at the research and writing that attempts to explain the core values and beliefs that underpin Nigerian culture and behaviours. And, using real life scenarios, we will look at how these values and behaviours may differ from those of the British or other cultures. Participants will have the opportunity to work collaboratively with colleagues to consider how we might need to adapt our behaviours when interacting with students from Nigeria.

Kathryn Eade and Kayode Arishe, thinkingpeople

B9. Making an impact at work: improving your ‘organisational smarts’

When you get something done at work you get two marks: one for the results you deliver; the second for the impact you’ve made on others. This workshop is about that second mark. To score well requires some particular understanding, skills and behaviours, including:
n awareness of an organisation’s culture
n an understanding of power and influence based upon recent research
n the ability to negotiate effectively for desired results and sound relationships
n developing trust
Using case study material, quizzes and games, this session aims to open your eyes to the realpolitik that surrounds us and to help you remain true to your principles.

Alan Rousseau, Alan Rousseau Training Ltd

B10. The student journey... and peril along the way

This session will look at the international student journey and the quality and type of support they receive at each stage of it – marketing, application, admissions, enrolment, and accommodation and on course and post course advice and guidance. It will look at what we need to do at each point of this journey to ensure that our students have a positive experience with our organisations. In particular, the quality of service we offer to students and how we need to take a student-focused approach in understanding our students’ needs, in our marketing activities, in our professionalism and skills in dealing with international students.

John Mountford, Sussex Downs College, Mike Humphries, Bournemouth and Poole College

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