UK varsity stripped of visa licence

Aug 31, 2012 - SARJU KAUL/ L. VENKAT RAM REDDY |

Hyderabad

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Britain’s Border Agency has revoked London Metropolitan University’s right to grant study visas to foreign students over “serious deficiencies”. This will affect about 360 students from India, including nearly 200 from Andhra Pradesh, who have 60 days to find a new course or face deportation. In all, the decision affects over 2,000 non-European Union students of the university, which has been stripped of its “highly-trusted status” for sponsoring international students.

The Border Agency revoked the licence on Thursday after the university failed to address “serious and systemic failings” identified six months ago. The licence had been suspended on July 16. The university has set up a helpline +44 (0)20 7133 4141 to support and advise students. In India, the LMU has offices in New Delhi and Chennai and is one of the major destinations for AP students going to the UK, especially to pursue management in aviation, MBA, M.Sc (finance) and MA (marketing). The varsity charges up to Rs 15 lakh per annum for these courses. Seeing the huge demand for its courses, LMU had ventured into the AP market directly and had engaged educational consultants at major cities to make admissions by offering “attractive commissions” up to 25 per cent.

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