University tries to keep under-threat students in UK

Published on 31/08/2012 02:34

A SCOTTISH university is hoping to offer places to students facing ejection from the UK after a rival institution had its ­licence to teach and recruit those from overseas revoked.

London Metropolitan University had its highly trusted status (HTS) for sponsoring international students revoked and will no longer be allowed to authorise visas.

Glasgow Caledonian University, which operates a campus in London, is among the institutions hoping to find places for some of the 2,000 students ­affected.

The university said it had received inquiries from London Metropolitan students and would consider applications across 11 postgraduate programmes from students no longer guaranteed a place at the other institution.

London Metropolitan University’s HTS was suspended last month while the UK Border Agency (UKBA) examined ­alleged failings, and was revoked on Wednesday.

A UKBA spokesman said “serious and systemic failings” at the university were identified six months ago.

He added: “We have been working with them since then, but the latest audit revealed problems with 61 per cent of files randomly sampled.

“Allowing London Metropolitan University to continue to sponsor and teach international students was not an option.”