Discrimination by Univ of Sunderland/HigherEd Patners
Has anyone else experienced any discrimination by the Univ of Sunderland Online Masters Enrolment team (which I assume is run by HigherEd Partners)?
I'm a native English speaker who grew up in an English-speaking country. I provided documentation of schooling in said country, but accidentally in the application forgot to choose I was a native English speaker. Once this error was spotted in the application, I called the number listed for the enrolment team and explained and they said they would correct it. Now the person who keeps emailing me (with poor grammar) said the admission team didn't accept my language score proof (never provided it), and when I explained I am from an English-speaking country, and just hold a different passport, they replied back that because I live in a non-native speaking country, I must provide an English test. So this "enrolment specialist" or probably a salesperson is discriminating against me based on the country I reside as I hope this isn't the official statement from the University admissions team. Quite sad at the situation as this was my first choice for an online MSc CS program.
I'm a native English speaker who grew up in an English-speaking country. I provided documentation of schooling in said country, but accidentally in the application forgot to choose I was a native English speaker. Once this error was spotted in the application, I called the number listed for the enrolment team and explained and they said they would correct it. Now the person who keeps emailing me (with poor grammar) said the admission team didn't accept my language score proof (never provided it), and when I explained I am from an English-speaking country, and just hold a different passport, they replied back that because I live in a non-native speaking country, I must provide an English test. So this "enrolment specialist" or probably a salesperson is discriminating against me based on the country I reside as I hope this isn't the official statement from the University admissions team. Quite sad at the situation as this was my first choice for an online MSc CS program.
Original post by nickkilla
Has anyone else experienced any discrimination by the Univ of Sunderland Online Masters Enrolment team (which I assume is run by HigherEd Partners)?
I'm a native English speaker who grew up in an English-speaking country. I provided documentation of schooling in said country, but accidentally in the application forgot to choose I was a native English speaker. Once this error was spotted in the application, I called the number listed for the enrolment team and explained and they said they would correct it. Now the person who keeps emailing me (with poor grammar) said the admission team didn't accept my language score proof (never provided it), and when I explained I am from an English-speaking country, and just hold a different passport, they replied back that because I live in a non-native speaking country, I must provide an English test. So this "enrolment specialist" or probably a salesperson is discriminating against me based on the country I reside as I hope this isn't the official statement from the University admissions team. Quite sad at the situation as this was my first choice for an online MSc CS program.
I'm a native English speaker who grew up in an English-speaking country. I provided documentation of schooling in said country, but accidentally in the application forgot to choose I was a native English speaker. Once this error was spotted in the application, I called the number listed for the enrolment team and explained and they said they would correct it. Now the person who keeps emailing me (with poor grammar) said the admission team didn't accept my language score proof (never provided it), and when I explained I am from an English-speaking country, and just hold a different passport, they replied back that because I live in a non-native speaking country, I must provide an English test. So this "enrolment specialist" or probably a salesperson is discriminating against me based on the country I reside as I hope this isn't the official statement from the University admissions team. Quite sad at the situation as this was my first choice for an online MSc CS program.
According the Sunderland's CAS Policy (with my added emphasis):
"16. Students who have previously completed an academic qualification equivalent to a UK degree that was taught in a ‘majority English-speaking’ country listed in Appendix B: English Language - Table 2 paragraph 7.10 of the UKVI Immigration Rules can provide a copy of their qualification and/or transcript and a supporting letter confirming the qualification was taught in the medium of English in place of a SELT.
17. Students who are nationals from ‘majority English-speaking’ countries listed in Appendix B: English Language – Table 2 paragraph 6.10 of the UKVI Immigration Rules are not required to provide evidence of English Language proficiency."
So, there are two key criteria - was your undergraduate degree taught in a majority English-speaking, and are you a national of an English speaking country.
You've said above that your "a native English speaker" (not relevant according to the above) and "grew up in an English-speaking country" (again, not relevant according to the above).
You also say that you "provided documentation of schooling in said country". Was this schooling for your undergraduate degree, which was equivalent to a UK degree? Was it taught at one of the countries listed in Appendix B: English Language - Table 2 paragraph 7.10 of the UKVI Immigration Rules? That list of countries is:
• Antigua and Barbuda
• Australia
• The Bahamas
• Barbados
• Belize
• The British Overseas Territories
• Dominica
• Grenada
• Guyana
• Ireland
• Jamaica
• Malta
• New Zealand
• St Kitts and Nevis
• St Lucia
• St Vincent and The Grenadines
• Trinidad and Tobago
• the USA.
Incompetence, maybe. Discrimination, not.
I do not think anybody is discriminating against you, it just appears that you are not a native English speaker based on what you entered into their online application system along with the "hold a different passport" situation. The International Office will probably have seen scenarios like yours before and can also clear up any confusion with their language requirement policies, so contact them directly and explain your situation clearly along with supporting documentation. Let them know you are frustrated and would like assistance from a manager/head of department to help you confirm your "native English" status with the online team. Good luck!
I do not think anybody is discriminating against you, it just appears that you are not a native English speaker based on what you entered into their online application system along with the "hold a different passport" situation. The International Office will probably have seen scenarios like yours before and can also clear up any confusion with their language requirement policies, so contact them directly and explain your situation clearly along with supporting documentation. Let them know you are frustrated and would like assistance from a manager/head of department to help you confirm your "native English" status with the online team. Good luck!
(edited 10 months ago)
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