Information Should Know as an International Student Starting University in UK in 2021
Starting study in the UK as an international student in the academic year 2021, might be a bit more overwhelming than it might have been before. This, only due to the current situation with COVID-19, and the issues that come with it. But, all in all, higher education has largely been continuing its course in the past few months, although through distance learning.
If you have been admitted to study in the UK, and are planning to begin your studies this upcoming academic year, there are some things you should know and keep in mind. Below, we will elaborate some of the most important things international students in the UK should keep in mind before starting their new journey, especially while COVID-19 is still present.
When Brexit reaches full effect, in 2021, students from the EU, other EEA, and Swiss nationals will not be eligible for home fee status in the UK, as they were before Brexit. Additionally, these students will not be eligible for undergraduate, postgraduate and advanced learning financial support from Student Finance England either.
This, however, will not be affecting the EU, other EEA, and Swiss nationals who commence study in the 2020/2021 academic year. If you begin your studies in 2020, you will be eligible for home fees, not only this academic year but other years as well. So, basically, you can be considered one of the lucky generation students, when it comes to home fee status.
Now that the whole world has adapted to what most people like to call “a new reality,” there are things that should be kept in mind in times like this. For one, the recommended safety measures such as frequent hand hygiene, respiratory hygiene, social distancing, and the use of masks. This is to protect yourself and your community from the possible spread of coronavirus infection.
This academic year might not be exactly what you thought it would be, but you will still get to enjoy it and receive your UK qualifications. You might have to be more cautious than the students before you when it comes to health safety, but this is something the whole world is going through at the moment.
If you are moving to the UK on a student visa, and you want to work during your studies in order to financially support yourself, you should know that your student visa only allows you to work for a specific number of hours. As a Tier 4 visa holder, you will have to abide by maximum weekly work hours in term time. For example, non-EU/EEA students are only allowed to work up to 20 hours per week while studying.
In case you work irregular hours, you will have to keep track of how many hours you are working in order not to exceed the limit. The limit depends on the type of Tier 4 sponsor you have. Typically, you can work full time during the period before your course begins as well as after finishing your course, including during the holidays. EU students are currently allowed to work as much as they want, something that might change when Brexit reaches full effect.