Glasgow Caledonian University regains foreign student licence

Glasgow Caledonian University (GCU) was the first university to have its international licence suspended last month by the UK Borders Agency (UKBA).

It is understood concerns were raised over the amount of time nursing students from the Philippines were spending working during their course following an inspection by the UKBA.

The university had 28 days to demonstrate to the Home Office that it had addressed the concerns or it could have had its licence revoked.

Today, the university said the UKBA had reinstated the Tier Four Highly Trusted Sponsor status with immediate effect.

Professor Pamela Gillies, GCU's principal and vice-chancellor, said: "Our strong international reputation is very important to us and we are grateful for the support and endorsement we received from students, staff, friends and partners as we moved through this process.

"We are pleased but not surprised by the reinstatement and look forward to delivering our range of exciting plans for the future.

"This has been a challenging time for our university and we have worked swiftly and constructively with the UKBA.

"The agency has commended us for the way in which we responded to the situation and we are keen to work together with them to share this experience with the sector so that others may avoid this process."

UKBA acting chief executive Jonathan Sedgwick said: "I can confirm that the suspension of Glasgow Caledonian University's Tier Four licence has been lifted.

"We had legitimate concerns which the university has worked with us to address and we are now satisfied they are complying with our rules.

"Highly Trusted Sponsors must ensure that students are attending the course for which they are enrolled. The UK Border Agency takes compliance very seriously and carries out regular checks.

"We retain the right to suspend a sponsor's licence where we find evidence they are not fulfilling their duties."