Glasgow Caledonian University Pauses International Recruitment Amid Compliance Concerns
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Glasgow Caledonian University has temporarily suspended international student recruitment for several postgraduate programmes ahead of the September 2025 intake, citing concerns over compliance with the UK government’s proposed BCA (Basic Compliance Assessment) immigration metrics.
The university communicated the decision to its global network of recruitment partners, noting that the pause is a “proactive and strategic step” in response to stricter requirements outlined in the UK’s latest immigration white paper. The new BCA metrics are expected to raise the bar for institutions on key indicators including visa refusal, enrolment, and course completion rates.
Vice-Chancellor Professor Stephen Decent stated in a message seen by The PIE News: “We have identified a number of courses at risk of non-compliance… and we have made the decision to pause recruitment to these courses for September 2025.”
While the specific courses affected have not been named, the university confirmed that it is contacting all impacted students and partners directly and will refund deposits where applicable. It also signalled that the pause is short-term, with plans to reopen the programmes as early as Trimester B, once internal reviews are complete.
This move places Glasgow Caledonian among the first UK universities to take public action in anticipation of the new compliance thresholds, even though they are not yet formally in effect. The metrics are expected to be implemented without the need for legislative change, giving universities little time to adapt.
The university’s decision aligns with sector-wide concerns that many institutions may struggle to meet the tightened BCA benchmarks, particularly in light of uncertainty around how non-completion is defined, and how courses with high numbers of dependants, such as MRes programmes, may be scrutinised.
Glasgow Caledonian insists the pause is essential to ensure future compliance and to maintain its status as a responsible sponsor of international students. The move underscores growing tension across the UK’s higher education sector as universities navigate evolving immigration policy.
Source: THE PIE NEWS
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