fbpx
Market intelligence for international student recruitment from ICEF
16th Sep 2020

UK announces early opening of new international student immigration route

Short on time? Here are the highlights:
  • With many international students deferring study abroad until the spring of 2021, the UK government has opened a new immigration route for students ahead of plan – it will open in October 2020 instead of January 2021
  • Both EU and non-EU students will apply for visas using the Student Route and Child Student Route

The UK government has announced that an immigration route for international students that was planned to open in January 2021 will now open on 5 October 2020. The Student Route and Child Student Route is a streamlined visa application process that is part of the UK’s new points-based immigration system. “The new Student route improves on the previous Tier 4 route by making it more streamlined for sponsoring institutions and their students, [and] creating clearer pathways for students,” explains a Home Office statement.

The route was opened early in part because of the many students who, because of COVID-19, have deferred their study plans until spring 2021. The move comes on the heels of significant efforts by the UK government to open up borders as much as possible to international students this summer.

To be granted a visa under the new immigration route, international students must achieve 70 points, earned through receiving an offer from a UK school or university, being able to speak English, and being prepared to support themselves financially during their studies in the UK. “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,” said Minister for Future Borders and Immigration Kevin Foster.

Both non-EU and EU students will be able to use the Student route, and with no limit on the number of visas available. This is in line with the government’s 2019 International Education Strategy and its goal of enrolling 600,000 international students in UK higher education by 2030.

Chief Executive of the Russell Group Dr Tim Bradshaw said of the new route:

“We welcome these changes to the immigration rules, which will help to ensure the UK remains an internationally attractive place for the best and brightest students to study. We will continue to work with the government to ensure our visa system remains flexible and responsive to developing issues, such as those emerging from the coronavirus pandemic."

And Cardiff University’s Vice-Chancellor Professor Colin Riordan said:

“The new arrangements will send a clear message that we have the support of our government to welcome talented students from across the world to come and study with us.”

For additional background, please see:

Most Recent

  • US signals new scrutiny of student visas amid reports of softening demand from foreign students Read More
  • Taiwan is close to reaching its pre-pandemic benchmark for international enrolment Read More
  • UK ELT reports a decline in student weeks for 2024 Read More

Most Popular

  • Which countries will contribute the most to global student mobility in 2030? Read More
  • Research shows link between study abroad and poverty alleviation  Read More
  • Beyond the Big Four: How demand for study abroad is shifting to destinations in Asia and Europe Read More

Because you found this article interesting

US signals new scrutiny of student visas amid reports of softening demand from foreign students Student surveys conducted earlier this quarter highlight an overall positive disposition among international students towards studying in the...
Read more
Taiwan is close to reaching its pre-pandemic benchmark for international enrolment Taiwan is steadily increasing the number of international students it hosts in its colleges and universities. In 2024,...
Read more
UK ELT reports a decline in student weeks for 2024 English UK, the peak body for English-language teaching (ELT) in the UK, has released full-year data for 2024...
Read more
What is happening with Indian enrolments abroad this year? Just a couple of years ago, Indian students were flocking to a number of attractive study abroad destinations,...
Read more
ICEF Podcast: How are schools and agents adapting to rising visa rejection rates? Listen in as ICEF’s Craig Riggs and Martijn van de Veen recap some recent industry developments, including a...
Read more
Full-year data highlights decline in foreign enrolment in UK universities in 2023/24 For the first time in ten years, the total number of students enrolled in UK universities fell in...
Read more
Analysis shows impact of immigration settings on international tuition fees at Australian universities Keri Ramirez, managing director of sector data specialist Studymove, hosted a fascinating webinar recently that looked at the...
Read more
US: Trump administration actions creating an uncertain outlook for international students So far this year, research indicates that international students still have a mainly positive view of study in...
Read more
What are you looking for?
Quick Links