Story Highlight
– Gayathri’s visa canceled after university withdrew her enrollment.
– University confirms her engagement with studies, seeks reinstatement.
– She faces deportation without appeal rights by July 13.
– MP supports her case, urges university communication review.
– Gayathri’s treatment in the UK crucial for her health.
Full Story
Gayathri Manikandan, a second-year BSc student at the University of Hertfordshire, faces the daunting prospect of being forced to leave the UK after her student visa was cancelled by the Home Office. The cancellation follows the university withdrawing her from her course due to alleged non-attendance, a decision Gayathri claims was made in error given her prior arrangements with the institution.
The turmoil began when the university informed Gayathri of her withdrawal, which she insists was unexpected. In fact, senior staff from the institution have since corroborated her active engagement in studies, formally advocating for her reinstatement. Despite their support, the university has chosen not to reverse its decision, leaving Gayathri racing against the clock to secure the necessary documentation to remain in the country legally before her visa expires on July 13.
“I just want to be allowed to finish my degree,” Gayathri stated, expressing her frustration. “That is all I have ever asked for.”
Originally from India, Gayathri relocated to the UK with the intention of studying pharmaceutical science at the university’s Hatfield campus. She successfully completed her first year and even secured a placement with Ethypharm, a pharmaceutical company, although health complications prevented her from taking it up.
Gayathri struggles with non-epileptic seizures, a neurological condition she has managed for several years. These seizures intensified during her second academic year, resulting in a serious incident in October 2025. Following an emergency admission to Luton and Dunstable University Hospital, she opted to self-discharge after two days contrary to medical advice in order to keep up with her coursework.
Her determination to continue her studies was further demonstrated during a separate, month-long hospital stay in December 2025, when she submitted assignments from her hospital ward. “In December, for a whole month, I was in hospital. My partner had to take emergency leave. But even in hospital, I was studying,” she recounted.
To accommodate her health challenges, a formal Support to Study Action Plan was established by the university in March 2026, allowing her to participate in remote studies. Gayathri adhered to this plan meticulously, engaging in virtual sessions, submitting assignments, and taking examinations as required.
However, her situation took a drastic turn in April 2026 when she learned she had been withdrawn from the course. She has stated that she did not receive any prior notification about this decision; instead, she discovered her withdrawal unexpectedly through her student records portal.
“I didn’t get any warning,” Gayathri explained. “I just suddenly got withdrawn. I emailed them back but they just ignored it.” Efforts to restore her status proved too slow, as the university notified the Home Office of her withdrawal on May 7, leading to the cancellation of her student visa a week later without any option for appeal.
In addition to the severity of her educational predicament, Gayathri’s situation is worsened by the health care she currently receives in Worthing. “The treatment I’m now receiving is helping me a lot,” she noted, praising the consistent support from medical staff who are familiar with her condition. “If I go back to India, I need to start my treatment from the beginning,” she added, highlighting the potential consequences of her return.
The stakes are high for Gayathri, who fled an unsafe upbringing in southern India, devoid of a supportive family network. She has openly discussed her distressing childhood experiences, including trauma and expectations of an early arranged marriage, driving her to seek a better future through education abroad. “I didn’t want to get married. So I came here. I studied. I worked very hard,” she disclosed. In funding her studies, Gayathri has shown remarkable self-reliance, covering approximately £15,000 annually in tuition fees through personal business efforts and student loans, all while balancing work in a care home.
Tom Rutland, the Member of Parliament for East Worthing and Shoreham, has stepped in to support Gayathri, pressing the university for clarity on the situation. “My team and I have been supporting Ms Manikandan with her case,” Rutland stated. “This is clearly an urgent situation. We need clarity on why the decision to remove her from her course was taken in order for us to pursue all available options.”
The university has offered Gayathri the opportunity to repeat her second year starting in September 2026, yet a significant barrier persists: the necessary Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) document has not been issued. Without it, her ability to apply for a new visa from within the UK is compromised. If required to leave and reapply from India, she estimates that the associated costs could escalate to around £5,000, including flights and accommodation.
“I have worked so hard throughout this year despite being seriously unwell,” she lamented. “Now I am facing losing my visa, losing my degree, and being forced to leave the country—all because of an administrative mistake that was not my fault.”
While the university has declined to comment on her specific case, a spokesperson underscored the institution’s commitment to student welfare, stating, “The health, safety and wellbeing of our students is our highest priority… we are reviewing the matter carefully.”
With her future hanging in the balance, Gayathri continues to advocate for her right to education and proper support within her current environment.
Our Thoughts
The situation involving Gayathri Manikandan highlights several key safety and procedural failures that could have been mitigated through better adherence to UK health and safety regulations and institutional policies. The university failed to adequately communicate with Gayathri regarding her withdrawal, breaching the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, which mandates the responsibility of employers to ensure the safety and well-being of individuals, including provision of support for those with health conditions.
Additionally, the university should have implemented its Support to Study Action Plan effectively and monitored her engagement closely according to the Equality Act 2010, which requires reasonable adjustments for students with disabilities. Clearer communication channels, regular check-ins, and documentation of decisions regarding her status could have prevented the administrative errors that led to the withdrawal from her course.
To prevent similar incidents, institutions should ensure robust procedures for notifying students of any changes to their academic status, especially in cases involving health-related absence. Training staff on accommodating disabilities and enhancing communication with students can help create a more supportive environment.
