Visa: London Metropolitan University sets up hotline

lkdood

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London Metropolitan University has set up a hotline offering help and support for thousands of worried international students following reports that it is about to lose its right to provide courses to people from outside the EU.

The university has been unable to accept any fees from present or potential students since the UK Border Agency (UKBA) suspended its highly trusted sponsor status in July, leaving current students uncertain whether they can complete courses and potential ones uncertain if they can take up offers.


A government spokeswoman said they have not made a decision on the case.

The university's vice chancellor, Malcolm Gillies, expressed anger at the impact of the uncertainty on students.

"As far as we are officially aware, UKBA is still working through an analysis of our case," he said.

"On July 16 the UKBA suspended the university's HTS status until further notice over fears that a small minority of its international students did not have accurate documentation to remain in the UK. For the last six weeks we have repeatedly tried to liaise with the UKBA to understand further their concerns, which seem to be focused on processes related to the legacy of previous management.

"Disappointingly, the UKBA has been unwilling to communicate with the university, despite the growing £10 million-plus hole their action has already left on our balance sheet. To learn that we are to have our HTS status revoked via a newspaper, with the panic that this can cause for thousands of students, is outrageous."

London Metropolitan University Hotline: (+44) (0)20 7133 4141
 
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