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London Metropolitan University calls for "fairness" over visa block London Metropolitan University: temporary reprieve for some students
(about 1 hour later)
London Metropolitan University is urging judges to suspend a ban on its recruitment of overseas students. London Metropolitan University has been given permission to seek a judicial review of a ban on its recruitment of overseas students.
Last month the UK Border Agency took away the university's right to sponsor students for UK visas. A high court judge has also ruled that existing students with full immigration status can continue their studies for now.
It said the university was not making proper checks on students; the university denies this. Last month the UK Border Agency took away the university's right to sponsor students for UK visas, saying it was not making proper checks.
Lawyers for the university told London's High Court the ban should be lifted in the interest of fairness, while they sought a judicial review. More than 2,600 students were affected.
About 2,600 people registered as international students at the university have to find alternative courses by the start of December - and face being deported if they do not. They were told they had to find alternative courses or face being deported.
The UK Border Agency is cracking down on alleged abuse of the student visa system and London Met is the first university to lose its right to sponsor students from outside of the European Union for their visas. The UK Border Agency is cracking down on alleged abuse of the student visa system and London Met was the first university to lose its right to sponsor students from outside of the European Union for their visas.
It said the university had failed to address "serious failings" in its system which had been identified more than six months ago.It said the university had failed to address "serious failings" in its system which had been identified more than six months ago.
'Fairness''Fairness'
At the High Court in London, Mr Justice Irwin heard a call from the university's lawyers for the ban to be suspended while they seek a legal ruling known as a judicial review, with the aim of over-turning the decision. At the High Court in London, Richard Gordon for London Met, had said the issue "came down to fairness".
This would mean the affected students could continue on their courses, temporarily at least.
Richard Gordon, for London Met, told the court the issue "came down to fairness".
He said there was a strong case that the UKBA's decision was unlawful and a temporary injunction should be granted, given the impact of the decision on the university and its students.He said there was a strong case that the UKBA's decision was unlawful and a temporary injunction should be granted, given the impact of the decision on the university and its students.
"The financial impact on the university, and on its reputation and good will, are enormous," he said. Mr Justice Irwin refused that request but did give the university permission to mount a full legal challenge in the form of a judicial review and made temporary orders protecting the position of some students.
"The impact on students' education, financial position and the disruption to their lives is extremely significant," he said. He said that existing overseas students and ones who are due to start this term would be allowed to start or continue as long as they are already in the UK and have full immigration status, pending a resolution of the issue.
The university says the decision could cost it up to £30m a year. Students from outside of the European Union can pay tuition fees sometimes twice as high as those paid by UK or EU students. In legal discussions before formal evidence was given, Mr Justice Irwin had told the court the interests of the students needed to be taken in to account.
In legal discussions before formal evidence was given, Mr Justice Irwin told the court the interests of the students needed to be taken in to account.
And referring to students whose visa status was in order, he said: "I would be interested in respect of such students whether a concession could be made".And referring to students whose visa status was in order, he said: "I would be interested in respect of such students whether a concession could be made".
That was not a legal ruling however. One is now expected later this afternoon.
The UK Border Agency (UKBA) took away the university's "highly trusted status" - meaning it can no longer recruit students from outside the European Union - in a crackdown on alleged abuse of the student visa system.The UK Border Agency (UKBA) took away the university's "highly trusted status" - meaning it can no longer recruit students from outside the European Union - in a crackdown on alleged abuse of the student visa system.
Overseas students staying more than a year count in the migration figures and the government has pledged to cut net migration to "tens of thousands".Overseas students staying more than a year count in the migration figures and the government has pledged to cut net migration to "tens of thousands".
'Huge implications''Huge implications'
The UK Border Agency has insisted the decision to revoke the sponsor licence was correct, saying the university had failed to address "serious failings" in its system.The UK Border Agency has insisted the decision to revoke the sponsor licence was correct, saying the university had failed to address "serious failings" in its system.
In a sample of 101 students, it said, more than a quarter had no permission to be in the UK, while separate checks showed there was no proper evidence that some students spoke good enough English to be given a student visa.In a sample of 101 students, it said, more than a quarter had no permission to be in the UK, while separate checks showed there was no proper evidence that some students spoke good enough English to be given a student visa.
Criticism was also made of the university's attendance checks.Criticism was also made of the university's attendance checks.
The London Met vice-chancellor Professor Malcolm Gillies has rejected the claims, saying there was no evidence of systemic failings and that the decision to take away the university's "highly trusted status" was based on "a highly flawed report by the UKBA".The London Met vice-chancellor Professor Malcolm Gillies has rejected the claims, saying there was no evidence of systemic failings and that the decision to take away the university's "highly trusted status" was based on "a highly flawed report by the UKBA".
Outside the High Court, Professor Gillies said the ruling was good for students who had been hugely confused by the action of the UK Border Agency and would bring a chance for the issue to be looked at in a "sober and serious way".
"It's an important issue and there are lessons for all to learn," he said.
The National Union of Students has asked to give evidence at the High Court, saying the case has huge implications for international students in the UK and others thinking about coming to Britain to study.The National Union of Students has asked to give evidence at the High Court, saying the case has huge implications for international students in the UK and others thinking about coming to Britain to study.
Last week the government pledged £2m to help the students. A "task force" has been set up to help them find alternative courses.Last week the government pledged £2m to help the students. A "task force" has been set up to help them find alternative courses.
Genuine students have 60 days to make a new application or to arrange to leave the UK, but the countdown starts when UKBA writes to them and no letters will be sent out until October 1.Genuine students have 60 days to make a new application or to arrange to leave the UK, but the countdown starts when UKBA writes to them and no letters will be sent out until October 1.