Why read this: A simplified version of a real BBC investigation about UK universities and overseas students. B1 readers meet a current-affairs story with a clear single argument: universities take students with weak English because the universities need money. The story includes one student's experience, one professor's testimony, and one official response. For students considering UK study, the article makes the financial side of admissions visible in language they can read.
What to notice: Notice that there are two sides in this article. Yasmin and the union (UCU) describe a problem. Universities UK says the system works fine. The article gives both sides without telling you which is right. Notice also that paragraph 4 explains why the problem exists. The earlier paragraphs describe what happens; paragraph 4 explains the money reason behind it.
Skills practised: Reading a current-affairs article with a clear two-sided structure. Following a simple cause-and-effect explanation across paragraphs. Recognising who is saying what (Yasmin, the professor, UCU, Universities UK). Reading larger numbers in context (9,250 pounds, 50,000 pounds, 70 percent) and using them as evidence. Building Tier 2 academic vocabulary: tuition fees, real-terms cut, criminal offence, essay mills.
"Why some UK universities take students with poor English"
"Money problems are pushing universities to lower their language checks. The BBC spoke to students, lecturers and union leaders about the cost."
Tap any green word in the article to see its meaning.
Yasmin came from Iran to study a master's degree in England. She paid 16,000 pounds for her course. But she was shocked. Most students in her class were not British, and many had very poor English. She told the BBC that some students paid other people to do their coursework. Some even paid people to sign in for them at lectures. By the end, she felt her degree had no value.
Yasmin's story is not the only one. The University and College Union, the union for university staff, says it is an . Some universities take students with poor English because the schools need money. One Russell Group professor, who did not want his name used, said 70% of his master's students in the last five years could not understand his English well enough to follow the class. Some students even used translation apps during lessons.
How do they pass? Most courses are now graded on coursework, not exams. Students can buy their work from . These are companies that write essays for money. In England this is a . Other students use AI to write their work. Both methods can fool the software universities use to check for copied work.
But why are universities doing this? In England, for British students are 9,250 pounds a year, going up to 9,535 pounds in 2025-26. These fees have not gone up with prices, so universities have less real money than before. This is called a . International students pay much more, with no upper limit. A master's at a top university can cost 50,000 pounds. So British students' lower fees are paid for by the high fees of international students. Some universities are now in financial trouble.
Universities UK, the group that speaks for British universities, does not agree. Its head, Vivienne Stern, says all universities check students carefully and only take students who meet the rules. But UCU's Jo Grady says many universities care more about money than about good students. Last month the government's regulator said that 72% of universities could be spending more money than they receive by 2025-26. International student numbers are also falling. Many universities will have to change.
Yasmin came from Iran to study a master's degree in England. She paid 16,000 pounds for her course. But she was shocked. Most students in her class were not British, and many had very poor English. She told the BBC that some students paid other people to do their coursework. Some even paid people to sign in for them at lectures. By the end, she felt her degree had no value.
Yasmin's story is not the only one. The University and College Union, the union for university staff, says it is an . Some universities take students with poor English because the schools need money. One Russell Group professor, who did not want his name used, said 70% of his master's students in the last five years could not understand his English well enough to follow the class. Some students even used translation apps during lessons.
How do they pass? Most courses are now graded on coursework, not exams. Students can buy their work from . These are companies that write essays for money. In England this is a . Other students use AI to write their work. Both methods can fool the software universities use to check for copied work.
But why are universities doing this? In England, for British students are 9,250 pounds a year, going up to 9,535 pounds in 2025-26. These fees have not gone up with prices, so universities have less real money than before. This is called a . International students pay much more, with no upper limit. A master's at a top university can cost 50,000 pounds. So British students' lower fees are paid for by the high fees of international students. Some universities are now in financial trouble.
Universities UK, the group that speaks for British universities, does not agree. Its head, Vivienne Stern, says all universities check students carefully and only take students who meet the rules. But UCU's Jo Grady says many universities care more about money than about good students. Last month the government's regulator said that 72% of universities could be spending more money than they receive by 2025-26. International student numbers are also falling. Many universities will have to change.
Questions
Check your understanding
- 01
According to the article, what was Yasmin's main complaint about her course?
- 02
Why are tuition fees for British students lower than the actual cost of teaching them?
- 03
What does Universities UK say about the situation?
- 04
Explain why some UK universities take students with poor English, according to the article.
Suggested length: ~70 words
- 05
Compare what Yasmin says about her classmates with what Universities UK says about their checks.
Suggested length: ~70 words
Questions
Check your understanding
- 01
According to the article, what was Yasmin's main complaint about her course?
- 02
Why are tuition fees for British students lower than the actual cost of teaching them?
- 03
What does Universities UK say about the situation?
- 04
Explain why some UK universities take students with poor English, according to the article.
Suggested length: ~70 words
- 05
Compare what Yasmin says about her classmates with what Universities UK says about their checks.
Suggested length: ~70 words