Thousands face deportation as London Metropolitan University visa licence revoked

London Metropolitan University has been plunged into chaos after it was stripped of the right to teach people from outside the European Union.

London Metropolitan University has been plunged into chaos after it was stripped of the right to teach people from outside the European Union.

Thousands of students now face deportation after the UK Border Agency (UKBA) revoked its “Highly Trusted Status”, which is required in order to sponsor international students and authorise visas.

It is believed nearly 3,000 foreign students will have to leave the country within 60 days if they do not enroll with another university.

The UKBA says London Met, based in Holloway Road, Holloway, is guilty of “serious and systemic failings” and that many of its students have no right to be there.

Malcolm Gillies, London Met’s vice chancellor, yesterday described the implications as “hugely significant and far-reaching”, adding: “The university has already started to deal with these.

“Our absolute priority is to our students, both current and prospective, and the university will meet all its obligations to them.”

The Highly Trusted Status had been suspended last month. Speaking on Sunday, before the final decision was announced, Mr Gillies said the UKBA’s actions had already created a “growing �10million-plus” hole in funding.

A spokesman for the UKBA said: “These are problems with one university, not the whole sector. British universities are among the best in the world – and Britain remains a top-class destination for top-class international students.

“We are doing everything possible to assist students that have been affected.”