UK’s ban on international students in LMU may get postponed

United Kingdom, 11th September: The recent ban by the UK Border Agency to bar foreign student enrollments in London Metropolitan University is likely to face suspension by the UK High Court

The London Metropolitan University has been in news for bad reasons. Its license to sponsor and admit international students has been revoked by the UK Border Agency (UKBA).

LMU assures of legal action--The decision concerning cancelation of LMU’s license was announced by the UKBA on 29th August.

And this has left the LMU (London Metropolitan University) officials baffled. A legal action is going to be pursued by the LMU for asking the UKBA to review its decision concerning ban on LMU following cancellation of its HTS (Highly Trusted Status).

As many as 2,600 foreign students are currently pursuing various study courses at LMU in the UK. And if the LMU does not take immediate action to convince the UK Border officials to reconsider its decision, the fate of such foreign students hailing from non-EU nations will be in jeopardy.

Legal procedure may take months—However, the issue worrying the LMU is that the step to seek High Court’s review of the decision by the UKBA regarding LMU’s license cancelation may take a couple of months.

However, the new academic year is just round the corner. In such a case, the LMU will quite likely seek an earlier court hearing seeking a stay by the UK High Court or asking the court to at least offer a relief by prevention of license’s cancelation temporarily until a decision is announced months later.

Such a step will be a big sigh of relief for 2,600 foreign students awaiting to finish their studies at LMU.

What led to LMU’s license cancelation?—As per the officials of the UK Border officials, the decision to bar LMU from allowing foreign students to continue their studies here was taken after several loopholes were found in the workings of the LMU. What are these inadequacies? Let us see—

• Inadequate checks with regard to valid UK Tier 4 student visas;

• Inadequate checks regarding lecture attendance by foreign students at LMU;

• Lack of proper checks for ensuring spoken English proficiency.

Meanwhile, the LMU has strongly refuted all such inefficiencies as pointed out by the UKBA officials during the investigations.