Promising news from the UK for international students

The world is slowly picking up pace, recovering from the pandemic. Some positive news from the UK is giving students hope as they gear up to conquer their dreams of studying abroad.

Roshna Mohan is a Digital Content Specialist at IDP Hotcourses – India, specialising in international education. With a master’s degree in Biotechnology and a deep passion for writing, she creates accurate, student-friendly content to guide Indian students in their study abroad journey. Her background in science equips her with strong research skills, helping her simplify complex topics like university admissions, scholarships, and student visas. In her free time, Roshna enjoys reading books and finds comfort in experimenting with new recipes.

Roshna Mohan

02 Mar 2021 356 Book icon

6 mins Share

02 Mar 2021 356 Book icon

6 mins Share

Did you know that the number of UK student visas granted to Indians in the year ending March 2020 almost doubled when compared to the previous year? The numbers have only increased year after year. The institutions in the UK offer world-class education, providing degrees that are accepted globally. It is no surprise that 90 UK universities made it onto the QS World University Rankings 2021 with eight of them placed in the top 50. Time and again, the UK government has expressed their support for international students and the current news from the UK is just a reaffirmation of this commitment.

Why is it relevant to know the news from the UK?

You must factor in the pandemic and all the inconveniences that come with it, while you work on your study abroad plans. If you plan to study in the UK soon, it is important that you keep yourself updated on the developments in that country and specifically how it affects international students. This includes UK student visa updates, PSW visa updates, information on the new point-based immigration system, face-to-face learning, COVID-secure measures and more. Having the necessary information will help you develop the best course of action for realizing your study abroad dreams. We have covered all these in this comprehensive article.

UK student visa updates

First things first: travel restrictions are still in place and so is the national lockdown. International students are advised not to travel or are requested to delay their journey to the UK. However, if your subject of study requires you to travel to the UK, make sure you follow the immigration rules and regulations.

The UK Visa Application Centres in India are currently open. These operational centres are in Chennai; Bengaluru; Hyderabad; Cochin; Goa; Ahmedabad; Jalandhar; Kolkata; Mumbai South; New Delhi; Pune; and Chandigarh. Please note that you need to have an appointment for visiting the Visa Application Centre.

Information on international arrivals to the UK

If travelling to the UK is unavoidable, please update yourself on the restrictions and requirements mandated by the UK government. The arrival procedures in the UK are based on advice from SAGE (Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies). Please note that the information given below is bound to change based on new developments and updates.

Some of the requirements and updates include:

PCR COVID-19 testing three days prior to departure from your home country (You are eligible to travel only once you submit a negative test result).
10 days quarantine and self-isolation at a government-approved and managed facility upon arrival (The traveller will have to bear the quarantine expenses. You shouldn’t venture out unless absolutely necessary. If you do, make sure you avoid public transport as much as possible.)
COVID-19 tests on the 2nd and 8th day of quarantine. (This test package should be booked ahead of your journey to the UK. It costs GBP 210).
Complete a passenger locator form with details of the test packages mentioned in the previous point.
If you are travelling to England, you have the option to reduce your quarantine days, provided you test negative after five full days of quarantine. This is called the ‘Test to Release’ scheme. This scheme does not apply if you have been in or travelled through any of the countries listed as high-risk.
No more testing is needed if you complete ten-day quarantine.

Providing false information or flouting the quarantine rules will cost you heavily. Additional travel restrictions are in place for travellers from countries identified as ‘high-risk’. You can relax as India is not one of the ‘high-risk’ countries.

News about the UK Immigration system and PSW visa

When most countries had border restrictions in place, several concessions were put into effect in the UK to support the UK visa holders already in the country. Some of these arrangements were implemented for the benefit of international students.

Students were given the option to continue their studies online or through the blended learning approach.
‘Exceptional assurance’ was granted to students who were forced to stay in the country even though their leave to remain had expired.
The UK also introduced the new UK Post Study Work (PSW) visa called the Graduate Route, which allows students to stay in the country for two years after graduation, to find permanent employment. PhD graduates can stay up to four years. Existing students who are continuing their studies online will also be eligible for the PSW visa, provided they are in the UK by 6 April 2021. If you are enrolled in a one-year master’s programme, you will remain eligible for the Graduate Route, but you have to be in the UK before 27 September 2021. (Make sure you check with your institution before leaving for the UK).
One of the recent UK student visa update was the introduction of the point-based system for student visas, in October 2020. This made the visa process smoother and more streamlined.

News from the UK on face-to-face learning

Student news updates from the UK give hope that face to face learning will be resumed soon.

As per the February 2021 guidance for higher education providers, the UK is committed to resuming face-to-face learning as soon as possible. Higher education providers are encouraged to work with each other to ensure that there is no sudden surge in the pressure on public transport facilities. Hence this will be a phased approach. Steps will be taken to allow students to return in phases to minimize interaction and crowding.

However, currently, the option of on-campus learning is available only for courses that need face-to-face delivery to ensure effective knowledge transfer. If your course can be done online, you are expected to stay put and continue attending classes online.

Some of the students who might be allowed to access the campus include:

Students enrolled in health-related courses
Students who need access to laboratories, studios, or other campus facilities
Postgraduate students
Final year students
Students under placements
Students enrolled in courses with practical elements (policing, social work etc)

The rules are more or less the same in all the countries in the UK. Students should get in touch with their higher education providers, make inquiries about face-to-face learning and quarantine measures and convey when they intend to arrive on campus. Higher Education institutions are committed to providing quality online classes with a constant drive to deliver quality teaching. Hence you shouldn’t worry about the standard of your online classes.

News on the COVID-secure measures and support offered by the UK government

The priority for the government is to provide a safe and healthy study experience for international students. Higher education institutions are given clear and extensive guidance on how to operate safely in the face of the pandemic. The measures extend to accommodation facilities too. Some of the arrangements that have been made in the UK include:

Asymptomatic testing for eligible students on returning to campus
Access to the COVID-19 vaccine for international students registered with a general practitioner.
Right to receive NHS Primary Care services
Institutions ensuring the well-being of students if they are expected to self-isolate while at the university. (Students must ensure that they adhere to the rules and regulations of social distancing, wearing masks etc.).
Universities acting on the government guidance checklist to support students who are self-isolating
The government and institutions together ensuring that you have access to food, medical and cleaning supplies.
Option to rely on support systems like the student support networks, mental health support and academic support for overall well-being. Student Space is one such mental health and well-being platform.
Access to hardship funds through universities, if needed.
Existence of the international buddy scheme that offers support to new and returning self-isolating students

In short, international students are valued and recognised by the government, universities and the student community who are working together to ensure that your life in the UK is as smooth as possible.

Where can you find more details?

Coronavirus updates are all over the place and information it is constantly changing. However, there are some official pages that you can rely on, for the latest information. Here are a few of them:

UK visa and immigration information

UK university teaching

COVID-19 health and scientific guidance

Keep yourself updated about the latest developments in the UK and plan your study abroad journey accordingly. If you need assistance at any stage of the process, you can reach out to our counsellors who can offer professional advice. Use our course matcher tool and look through the top universities in the UK to find the one that suits you best.