Licence suspended at UK university

Glasgow Caledonian University (GCU) has become the first UK university to have its license to sponsor foreign students suspended after suspicions that a number of international students were working full-time.

The UK Border Agency (UKBA) carried out routine inspections on the institution and raised concerns about the amount of work being undertaken by around 150 non-EU students on the university’s BSC Nursing (Professional Development) course.

Under new immigration rules only Highly Trusted Sponsors are permitted to sponsor international students for Tier 4 visas. All public universities automatically achieved this status. Phil Taylor, Regional Director of UKBA in Scotland and Northern Ireland told the UK’s Daily Telegraph, “I can confirm that GCU’s Tier 4 licence has been suspended following concerns about abuses of the immigration system. Highly Trusted Sponsors bringing in international students must ensure that they are attending the course for which they are enrolled and that they are complying with the requirements of the immigration rules.”

A spokesman form the university described the action as “disproportionate,” but said it would work with the authorities to resolve the issue.

Source: hothousemedia.com