University of Birmingham has withdrawn sponsorship of an international student who arrived in the UK “early” for his masters degree program.
Rasikh Aziz from Pakistan arrived in the UK October 2022 for a Postgraduate program in Law which is scheduled to commence in January 2023. The University of Law had misadvised Rasikh to arrived earlier for his program.
According to The Guardian UK “the international student presented himself at the university’s Birmingham campus, where he had an induction, underwent an ID check and was issued with a student card. In January, he began attending classes without a problem”
After a month, the International admission team of the University informed him he had arrived too early for his postgraduate program.
” Consequently, Rasikh Aziz would need to return to Pakistan and apply to recommence his studies at a later date, or finish the course online.” This was according to the University.
“He was initially given one day to confirm his decision. In a subsequent email, he was told that, because he had arrived ahead of the January start date, he was “not considered a student under the student route” as he did not immediately have classes to attend”
The University said ” it had withdrawn its sponsorship and reported him to the Home Office”.
Rasikh has now been told he has until 22 May to leave at his own expense, or face being deported as reported by TheGuardian UK.
Rasikh was given admission for September 2022 but deferred his admission till January 2023 a decision which was approved by the University.
Rasikh 31 years old from Lahore unfortunately is now a victim of misinformation. He had left paid employment back home to purse advancement in his career, this also involves school fees of about £12k.
He is now being helped by charity and immigration experts.
We suspect sponsors of students in the UK now ensure strict adherence to the rules and guidelines bordering around students and compliance as mandated by the Home Office.
However, International students in the UK must be cautious and ensure all of their obligations to their sponsors (Universities) are fulfilled.
According to 2021/2022 statistics from the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA),
” there are currently 679,970 international students pursuing their degrees in the UK. “
“The total international student number has experienced an increase from the previous year’s statistics, which encompassed 605,130 international students”
International Students should also ensure advise and instructions from their sponsors are often cross checked with the quidelines of UK students visas as stated by the Home Office.
