United Kingdom Open for Students

Britain’s world-class education system is a major attraction for prospective investment migrants who are interested in relocating to the United Kingdom. As the world continues to recover from the Covid-19 crisis, what awaits international students seeking to access the UK education system?

After weeks in lockdown, Britain is now moving onto a new phase as it deals with the Covid-19 pandemic and is feeling more optimistic. The news concerning the country's universities and independent schools is now generally more positive too. For Chinese, Indian and other international students, Britain is very much open for study. Post-study work visas (Graduate route) are being restored and the government has introduced an international education strategy that signals a greater welcome for international students.

Practical help is on hand for international students who wish to travel to the UK.

the UK Council for International Student Affairs, for example, provides up to date advice on technical questions around visas and student finance.

The coronavirus pandemic has caused a lot of uncertainty for universities in Britain where one in five students is from overseas. Most of the UK's leading universities are planning for a "hybrid" form of online and face-to-face teaching next year. Many expect campuses to be open come the autumn but have already moved online or are planning for a "blended" approach mixing online and face-to-face tuition next year.

Cambridge University is moving all lectures online until summer 2021. Others are putting restrictions on class sizes and moving to a blend of campus and online teaching.

The good news, according to data gathered by QS Quacquarelli Symonds, the higher education think-tank which compiles the QS World University Rankings, is 72 percent of prospective international students remain open to starting their studies in the United Kingdom this academic year, even if it means beginning their course online.0 The report was published as part of QS's ongoing research into the impact of the coronavirus on global higher education. It surveyed more than 30,000 prospective international students from across the world, more than 8,800 of whom were interested in studying in the UK.

“While (COVID-19) is going to cause short-term disruption and uncertainty, our data shows there are reasons to be optimistic for the higher education sector," QS said.

To find out more about options for moving to the UK, please be sure to visit our UK programs page!