After the first part, today we are going to start the next part of the blog- “What you need to know about studying in the UK in 2021/2022”.
3. Knowing Proper Information
Ongoing instructions regarding travel of international students to the UK– There are numerable current instructions given on the travel of international students to study in the UK. Some of the crucial ones which are necessary to know prior to traveling to the UK are listed below.
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Information on International Travel
The UK government and universities remain dedicated to the restart of physical teaching in classrooms as part of a mixed teaching model, due to the ongoing lockdown imposed in England, Wales, Northern Ireland, and Scotland. As a consequence, international students are directed not to travel and hold up their education journey to the UK. The core reason for the decision is to decrease the dissemination of the virus and prevent the spread of the latest variants. Decreasing the number of on-campus students and availing university services, targeted to assure the safety of students and staff. Border restrictions are also in position as a pre-plan to protect the well-being of international students.
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Information on Travel Restrictions
It is crucial to be aware of the current restrictions in position. The UK has come up with stringent ways for international arrivals in line with contemporary scientific suggestions. Currently, almost all travel passageways to the UK are halted for a certain time and everyone needs to follow the below travel measures before entering the country. These are:
- Undergo a PCR Covid-19 test just three days before travel and provide a report.
- Self-isolate and stay in quarantined hotels for ten days at your personal expense.
- The urgency to take two additional coronavirus tests on the 2nd and 8th day of your quarantine.
- Need to fill up a passenger locator form that involves booking a reference for your test package.
- Permission to leave your accommodation for urgent reasons when self-isolating, like for medical service or in emergency cases.
- Possibility to be freed early from quarantine by booking a Covid-19 test privately after five days of self-isolation under the name of the “Test to Release” scheme.
Important Note: All international students will be severely penalized by the UK government for providing false information about his/her health conditions and falsifying reports as well.
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Information on Travel from High-risk Signified Countries
The UK government has recently signified high-risk countries for which extra travel restrictions shall apply. Bangladesh is already put on the “Red List” then the following measures are mandatory to be taken before coming to study in the UK.
- Need to PCR coronavirus test three days before UK travel and exhibit the result
- Need to quarantine for a minimum of ten days in a hotel approved by the UK government, at your own personal expense of GBP 1,800.
- The urgency to take two additional coronavirus tests on the 2nd and 8th day of your quarantine
- The “Test to Release” scheme is not applicable to any individuals who have emigrated from a high-risk country.
- It is a must to follow all of the national lockdown regulations as imposed by the UK government.
4. Assistance from UK universities during Pandemic for International Students
UK campuses during COVID-19 are providing both online and offline services for students to study in the UK. The implemented measures by UK universities are:
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Online Classes
There has been a major change in the sole customary teaching procedure of attending physical lectures by students inside large hall rooms. International and local students can get access to a fusion of in-person and online teaching slots, which has changed from the traditional teaching process. Exchange of idea activities now is taken online which are: seminars, presentations, practicals, and supervisions. However, lectures take place by forming small teams if possible.
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On-Campus
Facemasks are mandatory in university building blocks; signs inside rooms and outside buildings in outdoor places to assure social distancing; a seat-finder application in the library; Perspex screens and barriers in study spaces and laboratories; increased cleaning facilities.
5. Connect yourself to Social Media Groups
One of the most convenient ways is to introduce yourself to people in your student accommodation is via WhatsApp group which can be deemed to be the safest. Such group is often set up by the university which is the more confidential method to chat as compared to groups created by students. Before coming to study at your designated university, get acquainted with the names and faces of your department classmates. However, remember that messenger group opened by university student representatives is not always representative. For accommodation and UK job vacancies, you can join some local Facebook groups where you can get befriended with people from Bangladeshi people living in the UK, Northern Ireland, Scotland, and Wales too.
6. Don’t forget to take all the crucial documents with you
Before you pack your luggage from your home country, don’t forget to take the following crucial documents (both original and photocopies) for both immigrations check and student enrolment purposes at the University. These are mainly listed below which are:
- Passport
- Visa confirmation
- Plane tickets
- Boarding pass
- Bank Account Details
- Health and Travel insurance
- Accommodation Contract
- Qualification Certificates
- CV
7. Download University Timetable ahead of the commencement of classes
Almost all of the UK universities give access to students downloading timetables at the mid/end of August. This will give international students a vivid idea of how many hours they need to be in lectures and how much leisure they will get to complete study. Most UK universities possess an online platform where you can upload personal information and find the timetable.
In this blog, we discussed the major things that you need to know about studying in the UK in 2022, but there are also some other things that you have to know as well for your better journey in the UK.
If you miss the first part of this blog, just have a look:
“What you need to know about studying in the UK in 2021/2022- Part 1”.
