UCL International Students Left in Limbo Amid CAS Shortage and Deferred Start Dates
Hundreds of international students accepted to University College London (UCL) courses are facing uncertainty, unexpected costs, and even the risk of deportation after the university revealed it had exceeded its visa allocations just days before the academic year began.
Approximately 200 students from China alone have been affected. Many were initially informed that they would need to defer their studies until 2026, leaving them in limbo after already incurring significant expenses for travel, application fees, and accommodation in London.
CAS Shortage Sparks Crisis
The disruption stems from UCL running out of Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) numbers, an electronic document issued by the Home Office that is essential for student visa applications. Without a CAS, international students cannot secure a visa or begin their studies.
One student already in the UK warned she could face deportation without a valid student visa. UCL has reportedly informed affected students that a resolution may include remote learning until the issue is resolved.
Students Speak Out
A Chinese student, requesting anonymity, expressed frustration:
“Myself and countless others navigated the arduous application process with precision and care. We met every deadline, submitted every required document, and secured our unconditional offers well before the start of term. We are now paying the price for an institutional failure that we could neither foresee nor prevent.”
Several students have also reached out to China’s foreign ministry for assistance, highlighting the international concern generated by the issue.
UCL Response
A UCL spokesperson said:
“We’ve experienced significantly more applications and acceptances of offers than anticipated, and as a result, we have exceeded the number of CAS numbers allocated to us by the Home Office. Our planning is based on historical data and expected trends. We are urgently working with the Home Office to secure additional CAS numbers and are contacting affected students directly to explain the situation, offer our sincere apologies, and provide support, including the option to defer their place to next year.”
The university acknowledged that recent communications caused confusion and uncertainty and apologized to students affected by the shortage.
Background on CAS Allocations
Universities must apply annually to the Home Office for CAS allocations, forecasting the number of international students they expect to admit. UCL has roughly 52,000 students, with over half from overseas, including about 14,000 from mainland China.
The Home Office has declined to comment on UCL’s case. The situation underscores the challenges faced by UK universities in managing international student intake amid growing demand, as well as the potential human and financial costs for students caught in administrative shortfalls.
