From March 3, 2010 students from outside Europe will have to meet stricter criteria when entering the UK. The new regulation states that non-EU students:

• will be allowed to study below degree-level courses that include a work placement only if the course provider has the status of 'highly trusted sponsor'
• will need to complete an English language ability test if studying below foundation degree level

Additionally, work permit for non-EU students studying at below degree level will be more restrictive allowing them to work only a limited number of hours. Dependants of such persons are not allowed to work in the UK at all, except when they qualify for work permit themselves. 
The Home Secretary Alan Johnson said: We want foreign students to come here to study, not to work illegally, and today we have set out necessary steps which will maintain the robustness of the system we introduced last year.