UK: New Routes for the Best International Students to Open on Oct. 5

As of October 5, 2020, the United Kingdom’s points-based system will include Student route and Child Student route, two additional routes which will be open for the brightest international students worldwide. 

According to a press release issued by the UK government, the role of international students in the government’s agenda is considered crucial to showing the UK’s potential after leaving the European Union, as they (international students) make a major contribution economically and academically, Erudera reports.

“We recognize that as a result of coronavirus, some overseas students are choosing to defer their entry onto courses in the UK until the spring semester of 2021. Introducing these new routes now means that students will be able to benefit from the new streamlined process whilst still giving sponsors time to adapt after their autumn intake,” the press release reads.

Once the applications are open, these two routes will guarantee equal treatment to all students, including international students and those coming from the EU to study after the end of the transition period, by being able to use the same and simple route.

Regarding these changes, the Minister for Future Borders and Immigration, Kevin Foster, said that the UK is now able to show its potential and start implementing the changes which could lead to re-establishing trust in the immigration system as well as to attract bright minds which could push the country’s economy forward.

“Launching the Student route early sends a clear message to the world we want the best and brightest to come to the UK to study at our globally renowned education institutions.”

Whereas, the Chief Executive of the Russell Group, Tim Bradshaw, said that the new immigration rules are welcomed as that will help the UK remain an attractive country for the high-potential students. He added that along with the government, they will assure flexibility in the visa system as well as respond to situations that could arise as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Moreover, the Cardiff University’s Vice-Chancellor, Professor Colin Riordan, said that it is essential for the UK to be a welcoming country and hold the status of the global leader in research, innovation and higher education in general.

“The new Student route improves on the previous Tier 4 route by making it more streamlined for sponsoring institutions and their students, creating clearer pathways for students, and ensuring the UK remains competitive in a changing global education market.”

With the new routes, students who finished a degree at any of the UK’s higher educational institutions are allowed to stay in the UK for two years, PhD graduates for three years, as well as to work at any job suitable for them.

While the number of international students who can study in the UK is not limited, it could lead to 600,000 international students who will choose UK’s education institutions by 2030, based on the International Education Strategy published in March 2019,

To help the future leaders grow academically, the UK has recently opened the Applications for Chevening Scholarships to study in the United Kingdom. 1,500 is the number of scholarships that will be granted globally for the academic year 2021/2022.