In order to sponsor overseas students, any institution must qualify for the UK Border Agency's "Highly Trusted Status".

BBC: Bilston Community college loses foreign student licence

Of the 744 private colleges on the UK Border Agency Sponsor Register in January, only 131 had attained Highly Trusted Sponsor status.

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The UKBA based its decision to revoke the university's Tier 4 highly trusted sponsor status mainly on the examination of 101 sample cases.

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To qualify for "highly-trusted" status, a college has to ensure students attend classes regularly, its teaching is of sufficient quality, and it adheres to a range of other factors.

BBC: Bilston Community college loses foreign student licence

To qualify for "highly-trusted" status, an institution has to demonstrate its teaching is of a sufficient quality, its students regularly attend classes, and that it complies with a range of other factors.

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London Met had a special status as a "Highly Trusted Sponsor" (HTS).

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