Title: The fate of the international student bread winners in the hands of international independent and private colleges - a case study

Authors: Mevliyar Er

Addresses: Accountancy and Business Training International, 75 Harborne Rd, Birmingham, B15 3DH, UK

Abstract: This research aims to pinpoint areas of corruption in the private nonaccredited education sector colleges in the UK mainly recruiting international students. Many private colleges cannot offer accredited courses and degrees hence they are forced to work with other accredited larger institutions. Being out of direct supervision of such institutions and difficulties in generating revenues is likely to make many of such private colleges prone to corruption. A case study through interviews with students and lecturers was conducted and the findings showed that the college's business practices are unethical and corrupt in many regards. There is also evidence of favourism in return for pay. International students were found to be exposed to injustices and exploitations. Furthermore, it was discovered that the UK Border Agency, institutions responsible for quality assurance and awarding bodies working through such colleges are pursuing their duty of inspection carelessly thereby ignoring significant clues for the existence of corruption.

Keywords: UK higher education; United Kingdom; international students; independent colleges; private colleges; educational misconduct; corruption; student labourers; ethics; immigrants; educational partnerships; private sector; non-accredited education sector; unethical practices; corrupt practices; favouritism; injustice; exploitation.

DOI: 10.1504/IJEED.2012.049173

International Journal of Education Economics and Development, 2012 Vol.3 No.3, pp.205 - 216

Received: 05 Oct 2011
Accepted: 14 May 2012
Published online: 23 Aug 2014 *

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