Masters student Kai Li, from China, was suspended from UCLan last month after student newspaper Pluto investigated his company, which he called Lancashire and Lancaster (L&L).

It is alleged he ran an essay writing firm selling reports to students across the country, making thousands of pounds.

The university says they suspended Li after receiving information which made them believe plagiarism was taking place.

Li, also known as Jimmy, had until December 4 to appeal the suspension but has not done so. He will be asked to attend a hearing in the new year.

If expelled he will lose his student visa and face going back to China.

A UCLan spokesman said: "We are conducting a thorough investigation into the matter.

"UCLan takes plagiarism, collusion or any other form of academic misconduct very seriously."

It is alleged Li set up a network of 35 skilled writers and charged students up to £1,000 to write their assignments.

Li, 25, has been at UCLan for nearly two years studying for an MSc in Marketing Management.

Student newspaper Pluto reported that he told them: "I take responsibility for what I've done and am sorry for any trouble I caused. I was doing this for the rent."

UCLan has around 1,500 international students.

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