The announcement from Immigration Minister James Brokenshire on Tuesday 24 June 2014 to suspend the Highly Trusted Sponsor (HTS) status of 60 universities and colleges across the UK was only the beginning of an action which has affected over  tens of thousands of international students.

 Since the announcement the government had not taken sufficient and responsible measures to protect the many students who are completely innocent of issues related to the ETS (Educational Testing Service) and can do nothing to stop from being forced from their institutions and the UK with no degree and for many no refund of the fees and time they have already committed to their education.

 On 19th September, the Home Office confirmed they have revoked the licence to sponsor international students of 38 private colleges, a total figure since the initial announcement in June.

 While students affected have been given only 60 days to find, apply and be accepted by a new institution, as well as apply for a new visa at their own cost, little practical or financial support has been forthcoming. With the start of the new academic session about to begin, these students are left with very few choices and the stigma attached to them simply because of where they studied is making finding a new place to study near impossible.

The National Union of Students has made very reasonable requests on behalf of these students:

1. ·         They should not have to pay a new visa fee as they did nothing wrong to invalidate their initial visa
2. ·         They should have clear and consistent communication and support, regardless of where they study. There should not be a two tier system based on a privately or publically funded college
3. ·         They should receive the same financial support as students from London Metropolitan University  - where they are ensured they can continue their education at the same cost as they agreed when they arrived with no additional expenses for things out of their control.