The Tory government’s assault on international students has stepped up a gear this week, with moves to deport more than 2,600 students currently studying at London Met University.

London Met University’s licence to teach and recruit students from outside the EU has been revoked, meaning that over 2,600 international students will soon have only 60 days to find a place at another university or be forced to leave the country without completing their studies.

As Emmanuel Egwu is the International Students’ Officer at London Met University Students’ Union points out, getting a place at another university at this late stage is extremely difficult:

“What happens to students like me is that there is an option to transfer me to another university to finish the course or to go back to your country within 60 days. And this period is a very tense period – most universities have finished enrolling students. So how is it possible within 60 days to get a place at a university to complete a year?”

Aaron Kiely, NUS Black Students’ Officer has strongly condemned the government’s decision and has called for it to be reversed immediately, allowing the current students to complete their studies:

“This government’s move to deport thousands of international students studying at London Met University is totally disgraceful.  The Tories should not be allowed to throw international students out of the country at will - students who have spent years studying and have paid thousands of pounds may now be denied the chance to finish their education.

Let this government be warned that deporting international students will cause huge damage to Britain’s reputation across the world. We will rightly be seen as a country, which treats foreign students with disrespect and contempt – making Britain an extremely unattractive destination for future international students. 

The government should reverse its decision and let international students study, by allowing London Met University to teach and recruit students from outside the EU once more.”

*UPDATE*

Sign the NUS petition to call on the government Home Office to REVERSE its decision and let London Met international students stay and study! Please share widely!

http://www.gopetition.com/petitions/support-for-london-metropolitan-university-and-internat1.html