Imagine working for years to get into your dream university, finally arriving, settling in and starting your classes, only to be told you have to leave because of an immigration record issue that you didn't create or know about, before the investigation into that issue has even finished.

This is what is happening to our friend and flatmate, who earned her place on the University of St Andrews’ Gateway to Medicine programme after years of hard work, completing her Scottish Highers and Advanced Highers to pursue her dream of becoming a doctor.

Her place is now at risk because of a problem with her historical immigration records. She and her family believe there has been an error, and they have been doing everything they can to resolve it. The University also contacted UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) for further information. Yet the University made its decision before receiving a response to its own enquiry.

She has now been told that she cannot continue her studies this year and must leave, with no change to the decision despite the outstanding enquiry. She has been given until Monday, 12 October, to move out and will lose the chance to continue her degree this academic year.

What makes this even harder to accept is that she has been here for a month. She has attended her classes, contacted lecturers, tried to keep up with her work and done everything she could despite not having normal access to the University's systems. She has made friends, settled into university life and started building the future she worked so hard for. Her family has also been cooperative and has repeatedly tried to contact the University to get this resolved, but they have struggled to receive replies.

Why was this not dealt with sooner, rather than after she had arrived, settled in and begun her studies? Why was she given so little time to deal with a situation that depends on information from UKVI? And why was the decision made before the University's own enquiry had been answered?

We understand that universities have rules and legal responsibilities. But surely there should also be fairness, communication and consideration for the student affected. Our friend has tried to cooperate at every stage, yet she is the one facing the consequences of a record issue that was not her fault.

The University speaks about student wellbeing, inclusion and supporting its community. However, throughout this process, our friend has been left dealing with huge uncertainty and stress about her education and future. Being told to leave after a month, having already attended classes and started settling into university life, is devastating. She now faces the prospect of losing an entire academic year, with no clear way to recover the time and opportunities she has lost.

What is particularly upsetting is that the University has been unwilling to change its decision, even while the outstanding information is still awaited. We are not asking the University to ignore its responsibilities. We are asking why more time could not have been given, why the situation was not dealt with earlier, and why a student who has tried so hard to do everything right has been left in this position.

By Monday, she will have to leave, and we know that signing a petition may not be enough to change the University's decision. But that does not mean we should stay silent. This is about standing up for a fellow student and speaking out when we believe someone has been treated unfairly.

Please sign and share this petition to stand with our friend. Show her that she is not alone, that the effort she has put into getting here matters, and that students deserve to be treated fairly and with care, especially when they are facing circumstances beyond their control.

The University of St Andrew's has recently been recognised as the top University in the UK. We would like to see the University's actions reflect this recent description and live up to it's reputation. 

We, the students, stand together in support of our fellow student. Please sign this petition to show your solidarity and to support justice and fair treatment for everyone in our university community.