GCC: London Metropolitan wins judicial review on decision to remove international status
Gulf students win reprieve in UK uni row
Hundreds of overseas students at London Metropolitan University, including many from the Gulf region, have been given permission to continue their studies for now after previously facing deportation.
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The High Court on Friday gave the university the green light to challenge a ban on its recruitment of overseas students.
The High Court also ruled that existing students with full immigration status should be allowed to continue their studies for now.
Last month the UK Border Agency took away the university’s right to sponsor students for UK visas. About 2,000 students are affected in total.
“London Met is delighted to announce that the outcome of the hearing is in favour of the university and it has received permission that the case be judicially reviewed,” a statement posted on its website said.
At the High Court in London, Richard Gordon, representing London Met, had said the issue “came down to fairness”.
He said there was a strong case that the UKBA’s decision was unlawful and a temporary injunction (suspension of the ban) should be granted.
Mr Justice Irwin refused that request but did give the university permission to mount a full legal challenge in the form of a judicial review and made temporary orders protecting some students.
London Met’s statement said: “This is indeed very good news for London Met students who are always the university’s primary concern.”
It added that an agreement has been reached between parties to enable existing and new international students about to start their course to do so “with the assurance that they will be able to complete their current academic year or their course, whichever is the sooner”.
