UK sponsor licence suspensions and revocations in 2026
| Institution | Location | Action | Date | International students | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Buckinghamshire New University (Bucks New) | High Wycombe, England | Suspended; 20 working days to respond before possible revocation | 30 Sep 2026 | 1,530 sponsored in 2024/25 | GOV.UK, The PIE News |
| Bloomsbury Institute | London | Suspended, then revoked | 9 Jun 2026 / 5 Aug 2026 | About 800 of 1,035 students; 93% from Pakistan | GOV.UK, ICEF Monitor |
Buckinghamshire New University: licence suspended (30 September 2026)
On 30 September 2026 the Home Office suspended Buckinghamshire New University's licence to sponsor students on the Student visa route, with immediate effect. The government notice says the action “follows concerns about the university's compliance with its sponsor duties”. No further reasons have been made public.
- Current international students can continue their studies while their existing immigration permission remains valid.
- New international applicants cannot be sponsored while the suspension is in place.
- The university has 20 working days to respond. If it cannot show the licence should be reinstated, it may be revoked.
- Home and EU-settled students, and staff on work visas, are not affected.
This is the second time Bucks New's licence has been suspended; the first was in 2015, when its visa refusal rate exceeded the government limit. The university has also faced scrutiny over franchised (subcontracted) courses linked to a student loan fraud investigation.
Sources: GOV.UK, The PIE News, Times Higher Education
Bloomsbury Institute: licence revoked (5 August 2026)
The London-based Bloomsbury Institute had its licence suspended on 9 June 2026 and revoked on 5 August 2026. According to the Home Office, it failed the Basic Compliance Assessment on all three measures: visa refusal rate, course enrolment rate and course completion rate. It would also have failed under the stricter standards introduced on 1 June 2026.
The Home Office allowed Bloomsbury to keep teaching its current sponsored students for a short period, with support for a small number of students to transfer to other institutions if they cannot finish in time. Around 93% of its international students were from Pakistan, which is why this case has been closely followed by students and agents in South Asia.
Sources: GOV.UK, ICEF Monitor, Times Higher Education
Universities placed on UKVI “action plans”
An action plan is not a suspension. UKVI uses it when a sponsor has breached its duties in a way that is “short of a serious breach”. It usually lasts 3–6 months, and the university can keep recruiting, but further breaches could lead to suspension. Universities reported in the press as having been placed on action plans include:
| University | Reported | Status when reported |
|---|---|---|
| University of Hertfordshire | November 2025 | On action plan |
| University of Essex | Summer 2025 | On action plan |
| Glasgow Caledonian University | Summer 2025 | On action plan |
| University of Lancashire (formerly UCLan) | December 2024 | On action plan |
| De Montfort University | 2024–25 | Action plan later removed |
| Nottingham Trent University | 2024–25 | Action plan later removed |
| Study Group (pathway provider) | 2024–25 | Action plan removed after re-audit, March 2025 |
These statuses may have changed since they were reported. Universities often resolve action plans within a few months.
Sources: Times Higher Education (Nov 2025), Times Higher Education (Aug 2025), The PIE News
Suspension vs revocation: what's the difference?
| Suspended | Revoked | |
|---|---|---|
| Can recruit new international students? | No, not while suspended | No |
| Current students | Usually continue while their permission is valid | Visa permission may be shortened, normally giving time to find a new sponsor or leave, unless the Home Office allows a “teach-out” |
| Can it be reversed? | Yes, if the university satisfies the Home Office | Generally final; the institution must wait before reapplying |
What should students do?
If you are currently studying at an affected institution
- Don't panic and don't stop attending. Attendance still matters.
- Read every email from the university and UKVI carefully, and keep copies.
- Ask the university's international office in writing what happens to your course and visa.
- If your sponsor's licence is revoked, act quickly to find a new sponsor within the time you're given. Speak to a regulated immigration adviser about your own case.
If you have applied or hold an offer
- Don't pay further deposits or tuition until the situation is clear. Ask about refunds in writing.
- Consider applying to other universities now so you don't lose your intake.
- Check any university's status on the official Register of Student Sponsors (GOV.UK) before you pay.
Why is this happening now?
From 1 June 2026 UK universities must keep student visa refusals below 5%, enrolment at 95% or above, and completion at 85% or above (90% from June 2027), and from 2027 each university's red-amber-green rating will be public. The Home Office has said: “Student sponsors must meet the standards required to retain their licence.” This is also why many universities have paused recruitment from Bangladesh, Pakistan and other countries.
Sabbir Khan's view
Licence action affects real students who did nothing wrong, often far from home. My advice to students and families is simple: check a university's sponsor status and reputation before paying, choose institutions with strong completion records, and work only with agents the university officially appoints. For universities and partners, the message from 2026 is clear: compliance is no longer a back-office task; it is the foundation of every international strategy.
I'll update this page as new decisions are announced. See also the latest study abroad news.
Frequently asked questions
Which UK university had its sponsor licence suspended in 2026?
The Home Office suspended Buckinghamshire New University's student sponsor licence on 30 September 2026. Earlier, the London-based Bloomsbury Institute's licence was suspended on 9 June 2026 and revoked on 5 August 2026.
Why was Buckinghamshire New University's licence suspended?
The Home Office said the suspension followed concerns about the university's compliance with its sponsor duties. No detailed reasons have been published. The university has 20 working days to respond before the licence could be revoked.
What happens to international students at Bucks New University?
Current international students can continue their studies while their immigration permission remains valid. The university cannot sponsor new international students while the suspension is in place.
Why was Bloomsbury Institute's licence revoked?
The Home Office said Bloomsbury Institute failed the Basic Compliance Assessment on all three measures: visa refusal rate, course enrolment rate and course completion rate.
How can I check if a UK university can sponsor international students?
Search for the institution on the Register of Student Sponsors on GOV.UK. Only licensed sponsors can issue a CAS for a Student visa.
What is a UKVI action plan?
An action plan is issued when a sponsor has breached its duties in a way short of a serious breach. It usually lasts 3–6 months. The university can usually keep recruiting, but further breaches could lead to suspension.
Md Sabbir Khan is an International Partnerships Director based in London with 12+ years in international student recruitment across the UK, Canada, Australia, South Asia and MENA. More about Sabbir Khan · LinkedIn