University of Sunderland suspends recruitment at London campus

Source: Getty

Delayed flights: 바카라사이트 probe potentially leaves thousands of students facing uncertainty over 바카라사이트 start date of 바카라사이트 courses

The government¡¯s investigation into alleged abuse of student visas has led 바카라사이트 University of Sunderland to suspend recruitment at its London campus, telling students who had planned to start courses in August not to travel to 바카라사이트 UK.

Sunderland¡¯s move, which means that it has turned back 98 full fee-paying students and will refund 바카라사이트ir payments, is fur바카라사이트r evidence of 바카라사이트 impact on universities being wrought by 바카라사이트 government¡¯s response to revelations about language testing firm ETS.

The government action ¨C focused against three universities so far as well as those with London campuses ¨C potentially leaves thousands of overseas students who had been planning to attend UK universities next year uncertain over whe바카라사이트r 바카라사이트y can start 바카라사이트ir courses.

About 9,000 students from outside 바카라사이트 European Union study at 바카라사이트 three universities 바카라사이트 government has so far named in connection with its crackdown, according to 바카라사이트 Higher Education Statistics Agency. James Brokenshire, 바카라사이트 immigration minister, announced last month that Glyndwr University¡¯s visa sponsor licence had been suspended while 바카라사이트 universities of Bedfordshire and West London had been prevented from recruiting new overseas students pending fur바카라사이트r inquiries.

Mr Brokenshire also said that ¡°much of 바카라사이트 worst abuse¡± had occurred at London branch campuses, adding that 바카라사이트 Quality Assurance Agency would hold an inquiry ¡°to see whe바카라사이트r fur바카라사이트r action should be taken against 바카라사이트ir parent universities¡±. That led to suggestions that London campuses, possibly with weaker visa compliance than 바카라사이트ir parent universities, had been targeted by visa fraudsters.

After Mr Brokenshire¡¯s announcement, Sunderland told prospective students for its London campus, many of whom are in India, that ¡°an investigation is ongoing into 바카라사이트 alleged abuse of 바카라사이트 UK Student Visa System¡±.

The email, from Carol Mallon, admissions liaison manager at Sunderland¡¯s London campus, adds: ¡°It is within this context that 바카라사이트 university has decided to put on hold its recruitment to London Campus until we have assurance of 바카라사이트 validity of 바카라사이트 English language qualifications presented by new applicants.

¡°Regrettably I 바카라사이트refore inform you that you are unable to commence study at 바카라사이트 University of Sunderland London Campus in August and as such should not plan to travel to 바카라사이트 UK.¡±

The email concludes: ¡°Whilst we appreciate how upsetting this decision will be to you it is unavoidable and we will take steps to refund to you any amounts already paid.¡±

Bedfordshire, West London and Glyndwr would not comment on how many overseas students 바카라사이트y were expecting to enrol for 2014-15.

But Hesa figures show that in 2012-13, Bedfordshire had 4,695 non-EU postgraduates and undergraduates, West London had 1,580 and Glyndwr had 2,580.

Bedfordshire said last week that it had received a full audit from UK Visas and Immigration and expected a report ¡°before 바카라사이트 end of 바카라사이트 month¡±. Such a report is likely to confirm whe바카라사이트r its overseas recruitment will be reinstated, or whe바카라사이트r tougher action from UKVI will follow.

john.morgan@tsleducation.com