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Glyndwr Uni student visa status reinstated by Home Office | Glyndwr Uni student visa status reinstated by Home Office |
(about 7 hours later) | |
Glyndwr University has had its right to sponsor international students reinstated by the Home Office. | Glyndwr University has had its right to sponsor international students reinstated by the Home Office. |
The Wrexham-based university was stopped from recruiting overseas students in June after an investigation into alleged visa fraud. | The Wrexham-based university was stopped from recruiting overseas students in June after an investigation into alleged visa fraud. |
It followed concerns some students may have obtained English language certificates in the UK - required for a student visa - despite not speaking it. | It followed concerns some students may have obtained English language certificates in the UK - required for a student visa - despite not speaking it. |
The Home Office decision will be reviewed in January. | The Home Office decision will be reviewed in January. |
The university welcomed the agreement to reinstate its status as a "highly-trusted sponsor" of student visas, which was removed following the investigation. | The university welcomed the agreement to reinstate its status as a "highly-trusted sponsor" of student visas, which was removed following the investigation. |
It will be on "limited basis", the Home Office said, and is "subject to a number of strict conditions". | It will be on "limited basis", the Home Office said, and is "subject to a number of strict conditions". |
They include banning the recruitment of international students to a London campus the university operated in Elephant and Castle, which was the focus for the Home Office's Glyndwr concerns. | They include banning the recruitment of international students to a London campus the university operated in Elephant and Castle, which was the focus for the Home Office's Glyndwr concerns. |
Glyndwr's Wrexham campus will also have a fixed allowance of places for overseas students who require a visa. | Glyndwr's Wrexham campus will also have a fixed allowance of places for overseas students who require a visa. |
'Positive future' | 'Positive future' |
In a statement the Home Office said: "We continue to work closely with Glyndwr University in order to improve their standards for recruiting international students." | In a statement the Home Office said: "We continue to work closely with Glyndwr University in order to improve their standards for recruiting international students." |
Roughly 2,104 of the university's 8,400 students are from outside the EU. | Roughly 2,104 of the university's 8,400 students are from outside the EU. |
English language certificates are required for a UK student visa, and the probe followed a BBC Panorama investigation. | English language certificates are required for a UK student visa, and the probe followed a BBC Panorama investigation. |
The decision to overturn the visa ban pointed to "a very positive future for Glyndwr University" said university officials. | The decision to overturn the visa ban pointed to "a very positive future for Glyndwr University" said university officials. |
It said it was committed to relinquishing the lease on its Elephant and Castle campus in London and will move to new premises by July 2015. | It said it was committed to relinquishing the lease on its Elephant and Castle campus in London and will move to new premises by July 2015. |
Prof Michael Scott, vice-chancellor and chief executive of the university, said: "The university is fully committed to continuing its support for a more robust student visa system and in that regard is undertaking a number of changes to its London campus during the coming months, including a locational move." | Prof Michael Scott, vice-chancellor and chief executive of the university, said: "The university is fully committed to continuing its support for a more robust student visa system and in that regard is undertaking a number of changes to its London campus during the coming months, including a locational move." |
'Financial difficulties' | |
The National Union of Students (NUS) Wales said concerns remained about the situation. | |
"This decision may offer some relief," said Beth Button, president of NUS Wales. | |
"However, Glyndwr University continues to face serious financial difficulties. | |
"This threat to the institution's future concerns us, and it clearly concerns all the students studying on its campuses." | |
As part of the Home Office investigation, evidence of "serious concern" was uncovered at 57 UK college campuses, which led to sanctions. | As part of the Home Office investigation, evidence of "serious concern" was uncovered at 57 UK college campuses, which led to sanctions. |