International students have been told by a High Court judge they can temporarily continue their studies at London Metropolitan University.

The announcement came as the higher education institution in North London was granted permission to pursue a judicial review into the UK Border Agency's (UKBA) decision. In August, London Met Uni's licence to recruit overseas students was revoked, meaning more than 2,600 overseas students faced being sent home.In another victory for the international students, the National Union of Students (NUS) was given the go ahead to launch an independent intervention on behalf of those studying at London Met Uni

Mr Justice Irwin granted interim relief to the students who are already enrolled and those who are due to start this September to allow them to continue their studies at the university, pending resolution of the case.

In his ruling, he said: "It seems to me that the balance of convenience in this case does not favour a restoration which may well be temporary as that will involve new populations of students being brought into the university and engaging in courses of study which may not then be able to be completed."

A final decision on whether the students will be able to finish their course will be made at 4pm on Friday.

Salima Mawji, director at Match Solicitors, a legal service specialising in education law, told The Huffington Post UK students may be able to pursue their own legal challenges, due to the way they had been treated.

"It is only right and proper that the court deals with this application swiftly and makes a decision based on legal argument as the impact on international students is immense.

"The real victims in the current scenario are students who have spent thousands of pounds seeking a British education, only to be told that the institution that they placed their trust and reliance on, has let them down."

She added: "Students know that the decision of the court will either make their degree or break it. Either way, it is clear that the disruption and uncertainty will also count for something for students and legal challenges may still be available as a result of the distress this situation has caused."