Buckinghamshire New University (BNU) has had its licence to sponsor international students suspended by the UK Home Office with immediate effect.
The university, which is based in High Wycombe, was removed from the UK government’s register of licensed student sponsors on Wednesday following a review of its international student recruitment activities.
BNU said many of the concerns raised by the Home Office relate to historic international student recruitment activities. The university has been given 20 working days to respond to the concerns and demonstrate why its licence should be reinstated.
If the university fails to satisfy the Home Office, its student sponsor licence could be revoked.
The Home Office has not publicly disclosed the specific reasons behind the suspension. However, students who are already sponsored by BNU can continue their studies during the suspension, provided their immigration permission remains valid.
The suspension does not affect domestic students or international students whose immigration status does not depend on BNU’s sponsorship. The university’s licences to sponsor workers and temporary workers also remain unaffected.
BNU said it had strengthened its governance, compliance and oversight systems since appointing a new vice-chancellor and executive team in 2025.
The university added that several improvements had been implemented before a UK Visas and Immigration audit conducted earlier this year.
The student sponsor licence is essential for UK universities that enrol international students who require visas to study in the country.
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