According to an inquiry, UK colleges are accepting thousands of international students who struggle with their English.

It has been alleged that English institutions have been profiting from international students paying exorbitant amounts for degrees since domestic students' costs are capped while those of international students are uncapped.

In England, almost 70% of students participating in master's programs are foreign-born. According to Rose Stephenson of the independent think tank Higher Education Policy Institute, that is significantly higher than the share of other course kinds.

Noting the tutition fee limits for UK students, capped at £9,250, rising to £9,535 in 2025, Ms Stephenson said: "You can charge a foreign student as much as they're willing to pay".

One Iranian student, who spoke to a BBC investigation, said she was "shocked" to find the lack of proficiency in English from her fellow students, when she arrived for her MA at a UK university.

"How is it possible to continue this coursework without understanding a British accent or English properly?", she said.

Jo Grady from the UCU, which represents 120,000 lecturers and university staff, says it is an open secret that students who lack English skills find ways to come to the UK to study.

"When we speak to members we hear about the tricks that are pulled in order to have people pass the relevant language test and get on to courses," she says.

The University and College Union (UCU) claims universities are turning a blind eye to large numbers of foreign students that can't speak English.

Jo Grady, from the union, which represents 120,000 lecturers and academic staff, says its an unspoken reality that students without the requisite English skills can find ways into UK universities.

"When we speak to members we hear about the tricks that are pulled in order to have people pass the relevant language test and get on to courses," she told the BBC.