What distinguishes the UK from other countries such as New Zealand, Canada, and Australia in terms of study abroad destination?
UK’s perception about open and welcoming study abroad destination 2021.
For students looking to start their education around the world in the 2020-21 academic year, the current situation is a source of some uncertainty. When we talk about the UK, there are high expectations that it will attract international students. Will open its arms, and welcome the applicant. UK’s world-class universities continue to recruit international students for the 2020 academic year and beyond.
People who are applying for a UK visa, and those who already have one, are naturally concerned about various issues arising from the coronavirus (COVID-19) epidemic. Everyone is anxious to know about the government’s visa applications, appointments, and other aspects of the UK’s immigration and nationality system. A positive change in perceptions of the UK could reflect the steps taken by the UK government to control the virus and the growing freedoms of the public over the summer.
New Immigration Rules are in effect: The immigration rules changes are in effect from 9 am 1 December 2020. The statement of changes in immigration rules HC813 was announced by the UKBA on 22 October 2020. Having a job offer from an approved employer, English knowledge, and certain salary requirements make it now easier for those willing to qualify for the new work visa. people having better qualifications will be having an edge over others.
In a recent survey of “Navitas Insights” (September 2020), the UK and the rest of the developed world can be viewed in two ways, depending on the classification of agents:
- Safe and stable
- Open and welcoming
While the UK lags behind New Zealand, Canada, and Australia in the ‘safe and stable’ initiative. But it is significantly better than others in terms of ‘openness and reception’.
In the survey, 71% of agents agree that the UK has improved its reputation by being open and welcoming to global students. That compares to Canada at 57%, 2nd solely to Australia and New Zealand, where much less than 1/2 of surveyed agents agree. In Australia in particular, an excessive percentage of agents disagrees with the sentiment (24%)
It is the result of expectations around the ability of international students. Taking two responses simultaneously for ‘safe and secure’ and ‘open and welcoming’. The UK, relatively weak score on “safe and stable” but far ahead in ‘open and welcoming’ theory This shows that for agents, a country’s reputation for being ‘open and welcome’ is far more important than its reputation when it comes to its focus as a place of study.
Student visas and graduates under TIER 4 new Rules
Points based system will remain intact for international students too. Having an approved education provider, English knowledge, and financial means will be key to get it done. There will be no limit on the number of international students who can come to the UK to study. The new student visa application system allows them to apply six months before they are due to start a course if they are applying from outside the UK. International students will also get an immigration route if they pass their education program in 2021 by having work permission for two years (even for looking for work) and for those having Ph.D. graduates 3 years. A new Short-term Study route is being introduced for students who wish to come to the UK to study English language courses for between 6 and 11 months, replacing the current route. The study must be at an accredited institution. Furthermore, study permission is available of up to six months under the standard visit route. All study must be undertaken at an accredited institution, except recreational courses are undertaken for leisure that lasts no longer than 30 days
The government wants to achieve the target of almost six hundred thousand international students who come to the UK for studies in the next 10 years. According to the latest statistics, British universities hosted 4,60,000 non-EU international students.
The UK leads the way in expectations for students being able to travel in the first six months of 2021
The UK is currently the most accessible destination for education, with almost half of respondents believing that students will be able to travel to the UK in the first half of 2021. The United Kingdom is followed by Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and the United States.
The UK is performing better than the study areas in the two areas that are currently having the most impact on student selection, the perceptions of open and welcoming international students at the moment, and student traveling ability to reach these destinations. As epidemics persist, perceptions of study sites are changing.
Agents’ remarks on the opportunity of students being in a position to travel to the UK can be characterized as confident optimism, while Canada, Australia, and New Zealand might be characterized as hopeful optimism. Determining the perception of being ‘open and welcoming’ can only make travel worthwhile.
UK Student Visa Cost
UK student visa can cost you for application £348 from outside the UK and £475 to extend or switch to a Student visa from inside the UK. You will have to pay an extra healthcare surcharge too to maintain your health issues. More information about calculation can be found here.
What you cannot do on a student visa in the UK?
Though there are many benefits to study in the UK however, the following cannot be done while you are on a student visa in the UK:
- be self-employed
- study at an academy or a local authority-funded school (also known as a maintained school)
- claim public funds (benefits) and pensions
- work in certain jobs, for example as a professional sportsperson or sports coach
Documents you are required to apply for a student visa of the UK
- a current passport
- your tuberculosis test results
- a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) from your course provider (the so-called electronic admission letter from a UK licensed institution)
- proof you have enough money to support yourself and pay for your course – this will vary depending on your circumstances. You’ll need either: £1,334 per month (for up to 9 months) for courses in London or £1,023 per month (for up to 9 months) for courses outside London. You will also have to pay the first year’s course fees.
- A Secure English Language Test showing results: CEFR level B2for Degree level or above or CEFR level B1 for below degree level
- written consent for your application from your financial sponsor if you’ve received sponsorship for your course fees and living costs in the last 12 months
- a valid ATAS certificate if your course and nationality require it
- proof of your relationship to your parent or guardian if you’re under 18
- proof of parental or other legal guardian consent if you’re under 18
Read more here about:
Chevening Scholarships in the UK
All Scholarship Programs in the UK