London Met resumes recruitment from Bangladesh after policy pause
London Metropolitan University will restart recruiting students from Bangladesh, announced on 11 November 2026. The decision follows the introduction of tighter BCA rules that lower visa refusal thresholds and raise enrolment targets, affecting prospective Bangladeshi applicants.
In this story
At a glance
- What changes
- London Met will restart recruiting Bangladeshi students
- Timing
- Announced on 11 November 2026 with no set start date
- Who is affected
- Bangladeshi prospective students applying to London Met
The details
- Announced by
- London Metropolitan University
- Previous rule
- The university had paused recruitment from Bangladesh because the perceived risk was too high.
- New rule
- London Met now resumes recruitment, citing stronger admissions processes and compliance oversight that meet the new sponsor requirements.
Decision to resume recruitment
University spokesperson Gary Davies told The PIE News that data now supports restarting recruitment from Bangladesh. He said the institution has strengthened admissions, enhanced compliance oversight and kept a focus on student success, giving confidence to recruit responsibly while meeting UK sponsor requirements.
New BCA rules affecting universities
The Home Office introduced tightened BCA rules in June 2026. Universities must keep visa refusal rates below 5%, down from 10%, and maintain enrolment rates of at least 95%, up from 90%. The course completion threshold stays at 85% until June 2027, when it will rise to 90%.
Sector implications and UKVI expectations
Davies warned that shifting Home Office expectations are creating difficulty for the sector, describing the environment as “moving goal posts”. He expressed concern that UKVI actions could damage the UK brand and turn a compliant sector into one perceived as non‑compliant.
What this means for travellers
Trip planning
- Bangladeshi students can now submit new applications to London Met for upcoming academic years.
- Existing Bangladeshi applicants who paused their process can reactivate their applications without delay.
Cost and documents
- No new fees are mentioned in the announcement.
- Standard admission documents and visa requirements remain unchanged.
What you need to do
- Prospective Bangladeshi applicants should follow London Met’s normal application procedures.
- Applicants should monitor UKVI updates for any future changes to visa refusal thresholds.
Who this affects
-
Bangladeshi prospective students
London Met had paused recruitment from Bangladesh and is now reopening the market.
What to do Submit applications under the university’s regular admissions process.
-
London Met admissions team
They must implement the strengthened admissions and compliance measures described.
What to do Maintain the new sponsor‑compliant processes and monitor enrolment targets.
-
UK higher‑education sector
The tightened BCA rules affect all universities’ recruitment strategies.
What to do Review recruitment risk assessments and adjust market focus as needed.
Frequently asked questions
When will London Met start recruiting Bangladeshi students again?
London Met announced on 11 November 2026 that it will resume recruitment from Bangladesh, but no specific start date was provided.
What new BCA rules affect university recruitment?
The rules introduced in June 2026 require visa refusal rates below 5% and enrolment rates of at least 95%, with course completion staying at 85% until June 2027.
Do Bangladeshi applicants need to provide extra documents?
No additional documentation was mentioned; applicants should submit the standard materials required by London Met.
Will the change affect tuition fees for Bangladeshi students?
The announcement does not mention any change to tuition fees; existing fee structures remain in place.
How might UKVI’s actions impact other universities?
Davies warned that shifting Home Office expectations could create difficulty for the sector, potentially affecting sponsor status and recruitment strategies across UK universities.
