Many students dream of studying abroad at the undergraduate or postgraduate level to gain a competitive edge over their peers. And the most common rather popular countries on every student’s wish list are the UK and the USA.
In the last two years of the Covid-19 pandemic, the worst sufferers were those students who had enrolled to study in the UK universities, like De Montfort University (DMU), as everything came to a standstill, putting students and their parents in a dilemma.
While the situation is new to all, there are still study abroad counsellors and UK student visa consultants in Ahmedabad who help the students in every possible way. The consultants are on their toes to make students aware of the changing rules, regulations, protocols, and even help with DMU student accommodation in the UK.
Despite the pandemic impact, the desire to study in the UK has not changed. As per the study abroad counsellors, it’s the quality of education and better opportunities that students get after graduating from foreign universities, making them a popular choice.
According to the UK Home Office data, more than 90,000 students from India were issued visas in the 12 months period ending September 2021. This is around a 102 per cent increase compared to September 2020.
LET US LOOK AT SOME OF THE MOST FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS READING STUDYING IN THE UK POST COVID-19.
Are students from red list countries with student visas eligible to travel to the UK?
Yes, the students with UK student visas from red list countries can travel to the UK. According to the UK government guidance on student travel, students entering the UK should strictly follow the entry norms set by the government.
Students from Gujarat can check with the UK student visa consultants in Ahmedabad, who can provide firsthand information.
What kind of support do international students get in the UK?
Besides the university student union, support for international students coming to the UK can be sought from the British Council, Study UK, The UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA), and the preferred university’s international office.
Notably, the UK universities offer numerous support services related to Covid-19, like food packages, technical support for online learning, support required during the self-isolation period, and many other services.
What happens if any student is unable to complete his/her course due to Covid-19?
If any international student in the UK is unable to complete their study course due to the Covid-19 pandemic, they are allowed to extend their Student/Tier 4 Visa in the UK. The student shall be exempted from the rules & regulations related to standard academic progression.
Will a student lose their Tier 4/Student visa if they depart from the UK during the pandemic and are unable to return within 60 days?
The UK government won’t consider a breach of sponsor duties if a student decides to return to their country during the pandemic but wishes to continue their study course in the UK through distance learning. In such a case, a student is allowed to retain their Tier4/Student Visa in the UK.
On the contrary, if a student does not pursue their study through distance learning for over 30 days, even if they are in the UK, the sponsorships will be withdrawn, which would affect their Tier4/Student Visa.
What are the vaccination rules for students travelling to the UK?
If a student is fully vaccinated, they should:
- Take a Covid-19 test on or before the second day of their arrival in the UK
- Complete a passenger locator form within 48 hours of their arrival
If a student is not fully vaccinated, they should:
- Take a pre-departure Covid-19 test three days before arriving in the UK
- Take a Covid-19 test on day 2 and day 8 after they arrive in the UK
- Complete a passenger locator form within 48 hours of their arrival
The approved vaccines for Indian students include Covaxin and Covishield. All the fully vaccinated students must submit their vaccination certificate as proof of vaccination status on the UK passenger locator form.
If you are based in Gujarat, you can connect with the best UK student visa consultants in Ahmedabad, who can guide and help you at every step, from visa requirements to pre-departure orientation. The students of the De Montfort University can also seek assistance for DMU student accommodation. For more information, contact us today.
