King’s College London (KCL) will allow Egyptian student Usama Ghanem to resume his studies this autumn, nearly 18 months after he was indefinitely suspended following his involvement in pro-Palestinian demonstrations, CNN reported on Thursday.
Ghanem, 22, had also faced the withdrawal of the university’s visa sponsorship after KCL found him responsible for non-academic misconduct related to student-led protests.
In an email sent to Ghanem in late August, the university maintained its original misconduct finding but acknowledged that he had committed “no breaches” of the conditions imposed during his exclusion.
“The conditions set have been met and there is no reason for your suspension or exclusion to remain in place,” the university told him. “Accordingly, you will be invited to re-enrol for the 2026/27 academic year and will be permitted access to King’s College London.”
A separate communication in early September said KCL would also begin the process of restoring its sponsorship of Ghanem’s student visa.
Ghanem has rejected the misconduct allegations “unequivocally” and told CNN that the outcome of the review represented “a huge precedent.”
He said he intended to continue advocating for “Palestinian rights, and the fight for divestment from all weapons and from all complicit actors with the genocide in Gaza.”
His suspension had attracted criticism from some academics who argued that disciplinary measures at universities in the United States and United Kingdom over pro-Palestinian activism had disproportionately affected Muslim students and students of colour.
KCL, however, said the review was part of its established disciplinary process and had always been scheduled for one year after the suspension was imposed.
“Following that review, a panel determined that he had met the conditions agreed for suspension, and that re-enrolment was now the appropriate outcome,” a KCL spokesperson told CNN.
“We will always apply a fair approach to misconduct proceedings, and have a duty to act where behaviour breaches safeguarding and security regulations, or puts others at risk,” the spokesperson added.
The university also clarified that UK Visas & Immigration ultimately decides visa sponsorship matters, while KCL is legally required to report changes in a student’s status.
Ghanem’s return does not end his dispute with the university. A legal case he brought against KCL remains ongoing, alleging breaches of human rights as well as assault, personal injury, discrimination and harassment. The allegations have not been adjudicated.