Three UK universities face scrutiny over student visa sponsorship breaches

LONDON Nov 5: The UK Home Office has placed three universities—the University of Central Lancashire (Uclan), De Montfort University, and Nottingham Trent University — on “action plans” for breaching student visa sponsorship requirements, Times Higher Education reported.

These measures aim to help institutions improve their processes, avoid further violations, and protect their sponsorship licenses, which are crucial for enrolling international students.

Action plans are typically imposed on universities that commit breaches not considered serious offenses. While specific reasons for these plans remain undisclosed, assessments generally involve metrics such as visa refusal rates, student enrollment, and course completion rates. Institutions under action plans must pay a fee, with corrective measures lasting between three to six months.

This situation raises concerns for large universities, as the higher education sector becomes increasingly reliant on international student revenues. Among the hundreds of institutions listed on the Home Office’s student sponsor register, only one other institution, Oxford International College Brighton, is currently subject to an action plan.

Highlighting the growing dependence of UK universities on international student revenues amid financial challenges in the education sector, De Montfort University has expressed confidence in meeting UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) requirements. Nottingham Trent University described the action plan as part of a “routine cyclical audit” and refrained from further comment until the audit concludes. Uclan has yet to provide a statement.

A Home Office spokesperson emphasized the department’s commitment to maintaining high standards to prevent abuse of the immigration system. Historically, only two UK universities have had their licenses revoked: London Metropolitan University in 2012 and Birmingham Newman University in 2018, both of which have since been reinstated.

As UK universities grapple with increasing pressure to sustain their financial health, adhering to visa sponsorship requirements will remain a critical priority for institutions navigating this complex landscape.

The BBC last week uncovered a concerning trend in UK universities, where foreign students with poor English language skills are allegedly being enrolled in exchange for higher fees. This practice, reportedly an “open secret” within the education sector, raises questions about the integrity of the universities’ admissions processes and the potential implications for international students’ academic success.

Some critics argue that the financial pressures faced by universities, particularly due to the low income from domestic student teaching, have led to a rush to recruit high-fee-paying international students, even if their language skills are inadequate. However, Universities UK’s chief executive, Vivienne Stern, denies these claims, stating that universities carry out strict checks on those they enroll, including minimum language levels set by the UK government.

The BBC’s findings have sparked a wider debate on the need for a serious policy conversation about the challenges faced by universities and the importance of maintaining high standards in admissions processes, particularly when it comes to language proficiency.