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Glyndwr University ban on overseas students lifted

A suspension has been lifted, with conditions, on the recruitment of overseas students by Glyndwr University, following a scandal over English language tests.

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Glyndwr Uni: 'Very positive future' as licence reinstated

Glyndwr University has welcomed the Home Office's decision to allow it to recruit overseas students again, which it says means the institution has "a very positive future."

More than 2,000 of the university's 8,000 students are from outside the EU.

Glyndwr had its licence suspended after an investigation into alleged visa fraud, with concerns about how students obtained English language certificates.

University bosses say it will relinquish the lease on its London campus at Elephant and Castle in December, and move to new premises by July 2015.

It will only recruit students to its Wrexham campus initially, and plans to "develop security controls" before applying to recruit to London-based courses again in the future.

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.

The University will continue to work closely with the UKVI, which shared its concerns for students legitimately studying at Glyndwr University, in accordance with legal regulations.

The students are the University’s primary concern, and the majority are hard-working and dedicated. They have not infringed immigration or University rules and regulations and should not suffer because of the misdeeds of a few.

The lifting of the suspension and the new structure we have put in place this year point to a very positive future for Glyndwr University.

– Professor Michael Scott, Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive of Glyndwr University

Glyndwr University ban on overseas students lifted

Glyndwr University will once again be able to recruit non-EU students after its 'highly trusted' status was returned. Credit: ITV News

A suspension has been lifted, with conditions, on the recruitment of overseas students by Glyndwr University, following a scandal over English language tests.

UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) suspended the university's 'highly trusted' status - which enables it to sponsor the visas of non-European Union students - in June.

The decision by the Home Office now allows the University to resume the sponsorship of international students at its Wrexham campus, but not in London.

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Concerns over future of Glyndwr University

There are concerns about the future of Glyndwr University - and hundreds of jobs - if a home office ruling goes against it today.

The ruling could have a bearing on the future of the University. Credit: ITV Wales News

The University is due to find out whether the home office will lift a suspension on its ability to recruit non-EU students, following a scandal over fake visas.

In June UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) suspended the university's "highly trusted" status which enables it to sponsor the visas of non-European Union students.

Money provided by non EU students in 2012/13 was worth about £9.5m of the university's estimated £43m income, and the university is believed to be running with a £1.4m deficit since August.

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