The college has taught some of the biggest names in the arts

Most of the 10-piece group, Goth Opera, are former students of Dartington College of Arts and are opposed to its move from a Devon country estate.

The college's owners have said relocating may be the only way to secure its future.

A BBC spokesman said rules on who can enter the contest had not been decided.

She added that political songs were not allowed.

'National heritage'

There is limited student accommodation available at Dartington and the college said it was considering a merger to preserve its long-term future.

The move has raised concerns in the Totnes area, home of the college since 1961.

Objectors said the whole essence of the college came from its relationship with the Dartington Hall Trust that runs the 850-acre Dartington estate.

Leading artists such as Lord of the Flies film director Peter Brook have joined a campaign against the move.

The song says that nothing is impossible if you believe in the power of hope and love Goth Opera frontwoman Kathy Karpilov

Goth Opera frontwoman Kathy Karpilov, a student at the college 15 years ago, said: "We believe that Dartington represents the finest music and art in Devon and the country, if not the whole of Europe.

"It is a national heritage."

Ms Karpilov said their contemporary opera group wanted to enter a "song of hope" in the Eurovision contest once entry requirements were made public next week.

"The song says that nothing is impossible if you believe in the power of hope and love. We think that it is a loss of hope that has led to the prospective move at Dartington College."

The college was founded out of a social experiment in rural reconstruction has taught some of the biggest names in the arts, including Benjamin Britten, Ravi Shankar and John Cage.

The estate is now owned by the Dartington Hall Trust which leases buildings to the college, one of the smallest of its kind in the UK with 680 students.