University's licence to sponsor students suspended

3 hours ago

Tony FisherBedfordshire, Hertfordshire and Buckinghamshire

News image — Buckinghamshire New University said it was engaging with the Home Office throughout the review process

Buckinghamshire New University A modern university campus courtyard framed by multi-storey buildings with extensive glass facades. Large freestanding blue letters spelling BNU dominate the foreground, surrounded by benches, planters and small trees. Several people are gathered around seating areas and beneath a branded canopy, while an enclosed glass walkway connects two buildings overhead. — Buckinghamshire New University said it was engaging with the Home Office throughout the review process

A university said it was working with the government after its permission to sponsor international students' visas was suspended.

Buckinghamshire New University's (BNU) student sponsor licence was suspended with immediate effect on Wednesday, and the university was removed from the sponsor register.

The High Wycombe-based institution said "many of the issues raised by the Home Office relate to historic international student recruitment activity".

The university has been given 20 working days to respond, and its licence will be revoked if it cannot show why it should be reinstated. The Home Office's published guidance does not explain why the suspension occurred.

Having the licence allows a university to sponsor international students who need a visa to study in the UK.

The Home Office said students currently sponsored by BNU can continue studying during the suspension, provided their permission to stay remains valid.

Domestic students and those whose immigration permission does not depend on sponsorship are unaffected, as are the university's worker and temporary worker licences.

A spokesperson for BNU said: "Since the appointment of a new vice chancellor and executive team in 2025, the university has strengthened its governance, compliance and oversight arrangements, with many improvements implemented before the UK Visas and Immigration audit took place this year."

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