The United Kingdom (UK) is home to some of the world’s oldest universities and colleges having their roots in the 12th and 13th centuries. Coming from such strong legacy, education in the UK has become a benchmark for other countries.
The UK offers international students an academic experience that is hard to beat. British -educated students are proven to be among the most employable in the world, offering confident analytical thinking and excellent communication skills developed in the home of the English language. With world-class schools and universities performing at the top of their game – including those operating internationally – Britain delivers excellence in every field.
The British Government’s International Education Strategy, delivered through the Great Britain campaign, promotes the breadth and diversity of the British educational offering and commits to providing a welcoming environment.
If you are an international student interested in UK study and need advice and support throughout this unprecedented period, please read below for the latest information. The wellbeing of our staff and students has always been of utmost importance, and never more so than in situations like this.
Epsilon are closely monitoring local conditions and government advice in the UK, as well as across all our global offices. If you need to speak to someone, please reach out to our team.
The Covid-19 vaccine roll-out in the UK is far ahead of the rest of Europe and amongst the best in the world. The UK is expected to be one of the first countries in the world to be fully vaccinated, likely by summer 2021, meaning September 2021 entry will be safe for students and staff.
International and EU students in the UK will be able to access the various vaccinations available as they are rolled out across the country, meaning they may receive the vaccine quicker in the UK than their home country and will be protected when returning home.
The UK government published its Covid-19 roadmap in February 2021 and, ahead of the next student intake in September 2021, UK universities are processing international UCAS applications as normal and traditional study and learning is expected to return.
Teaching has partially moved online for those currently studying at a UK university. Campuses are open, but a form of hybrid learning is currently taking place, with face-to-face tuition and digital lectures and seminars allowing social distancing guidelines to be followed.
Measures implemented by universities include buildings that have clearly marked entry and exit points; sanitizer stations, floor markings and social distancing measures. Please speak to an Epsilon International UK consultant for university specific measures.
If you would like to discuss your current application with one of our consultants, or have any questions about COVID-19 and its implications for UK study, you can call us on + 44(0)203 793 3445 .We are fully aware that we will not yet have answers to all of your questions, but do, please let our team know if there are specific concerns or issues you would like more information about.
The below list of questions and answers will be updated when new information is released from the UK government and UK universities.
Students that have been issued a visa and decide not to travel, must inform the institution they are due to attend so their visa status can be updated. Should students wish to defer their studies, they would need to apply for a new visa as their current visa would not cover the full period of study for the next course.
UK universities and SI-UK are accepting applications as normal in preparation for the September 2021 intake.
There will be no changes to how scholarships are allocated and many UK universities are currently finalizing revised scholarship plans for 2021 entry.
International students see the UK as an ideal place to study, earn a marvelous study experience, and enhance their personal and professional skills. For decades, the UK has been one of the top study choices for international students, providing them with the necessary qualifications to be successful in the global job market and offering them plenty of opportunities to work towards their dream careers.
UK universities are ranked among the top world universities and they are highly competitive, not only among domestic students but also international ones. Even when Brexit reaches full effect, UK universities will still maintain their academic excellence and high worldwide ranking and standards.
So, it is safe to say that a post-Brexit UK study destination still the same, academically-wise, and worthy of your consideration.
You are likely to succeed! So many notable and successful figures have gained the first steps of their careers in UK universities. The country is known to produce some of the greatest scientists, authors, composers, and many of them even Nobel Prize laureates, both British and international. For example, the University of Cambridge has 18 international alumni who have gone on to win the Nobel Prize, while the University of Oxford has a total of 11 international alumni with such credentials.
UK universities provide their international students with the care and support necessary to succeed. These once international students have gone to become professionals in their fields of study, some in their home countries, and others in the UK. The higher education system in the UK is unmatched and constantly improving for the better. Once the UK leaves the EU, the higher education system in the UK will still proceed with improvement and innovation, while also providing international students with just the career opportunities they need.
The post-study work visa also known as the new Graduate Route, is available now. This is actually one of the top reasons why the UK will still be a worthy destination to pursue your degree even when Brexit takes full effect. If you have not heard of the post-study work visa yet, this route will allow international students to stay in the UK and find employment up to two years after they finish their studies.
The UK is introducing this new Graduate Route because they want to continue attracting the best and the brightest students from all over the world. The graduate route is perfect for those who are interested in working in the UK even after graduation, and even settle in the country eventually. In addition, even international students who begin their studies in the 2021 academic year will be eligible for the visa and can apply for it when the time comes.
It is a good sign when a large majority of students is in employment after finishing their studies. A total of 81% of graduates in a survey conducted by the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) are in full-time employment or unpaid work approximately 15 months after graduation in the UK. Additionally, 76% of respondents in the survey, working in the UK, were employed in highly-skilled occupations.
Out of 48,852 respondents from non-EU countries of domicile who took part in the survey, 34,795 were in employment. The number of graduates in employment coming from other EU countries, who responded to the survey by HESA, stands at 18,425 out of 24,495 respondents. Essentially, this means that UK graduates tend to handle the global market quite successfully after graduating from universities in the UK
Not every country in the world has a solid health care system. Very few have National Health Service (NHS) like the UK. Legal residents in the UK have access to free healthcare.
International students can access the NHS upon payment of the International Health Surcharge (IHS). More details are available from the Health Advice and Services for International Students section of this guide.
