A vulnerable former Leeds University student faces eviction from campus halls next week as she fights to finish her PhD and remain in Britain.

Sanaz Raji has been ordered to get out of her accommodation by January 2 after a two-year dispute over the cancellation of her funding.

The US citizen is also racing against time to gain permission to stay in Britain when her study visa runs out on New Year's Eve.

Ms Raji told the Star yesterday: "I want to see my case through and I need to be here to advocate for myself.

"Universities don't care, international students are a convenient cash cow.

"The education system in this country is entirely corrupt, it's a broken system."

Ms Raji started her communications PhD in 2009 with a full scholarship to cover her tuition fees and maintenance costs.

But it was cut in August 2011 after the student raised concerns about the level of academic support she was receiving.

Unable to foot the £13,000 tuition bill, Ms Raji's student status was cancelled in November 2011.

She did not find out until January 2012 because she had become "very depressed."

"I couldn't get out of bed," she said.

"I had friends come over and bring me food because I did not want to see anyone.

"It was all done behind my back at a time when I was most vulnerable."

Ms Raji has since campaigned to overturn her expulsion but her study visa runs out in three days' time.

She managed to raise the £578 needed for a new visa through donations from supporters on December 22 and is now rushing to meet the deadline.

The US woman still faces eviction from her accommodation but insisted: "I'm not leaving because I have nowhere else to go.

"I may not even have the money to go back to America," she said.

"A friend gives me £20 a week to afford food. This is what I live on."

Ms Raji's case is being investigated by the Office of the Independent Adjudicator for higher education students.

Leeds University did not reply to a request for comment.