In 2021, a record number of 3,200 Indian students were accepted into UK universities and higher education courses using the country’s centralised application system, up 19% from the previous year.
The acceptance figures from the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) were announced on the 10th of August’2021, only days after India was moved from the COVID-19 Red List to Amber.
This will have a significant impact on Indian students wishing to study in the United Kingdom, as they will no longer be required to quarantine in a government-run facility for 10 days at a significant additional cost. Instead, they can quarantine for the requisite 10 days at a specified location, which for many will be their university residence or the house of a friend or relative.
“We understand that India’s removal from the Red to Amber list will be a significant and welcome development for Indian students planning to visit the UK in the near future. To guarantee a smooth arrival, such students should stay in touch with their universities and be aware of the most recent protocol for amber list arrivals,” said Vivienne Stern, Director of Universities UK International, which represents over 140 universities.
“Universities in the United Kingdom are gearing up to welcome Indian students this autumn. Students have shown incredible patience and perseverance in sticking to their intentions to study abroad, and we look forward to welcoming them to our campuses and university communities, both new and old,” she said.
At 4 a.m. local time on the 8th of August’2021 India was removed from the Red List, and all vaccinated travellers must fill out a mandatory passenger locator form to indicate an address where they will be completing the 10-day self-isolation.
Before travelling, all Amber List arrivals must have a negative COVID-19 test, as well as take a COVID test on Day 2 and Day 8 of their quarantine. In England, students can pay for a test on Day 5 that, if negative, will allow them to finish their quarantine sooner.
“We are pleased to see that India has been moved from the UK’s Red to Amber List for one of our largest overseas markets,” said Kerry Law, Chief Marketing and Engagement Officer at the University of Leicester, which has a strong Indian student population.
“The Amber List move is wonderful news for our huge number of Indian students because it means they won’t have to quarantine and will be able to engage and adjust to life on campus without any delays,” she added.
“To guarantee that we welcome students and provide them with a positive experience, we have extended our welcome period by one week and provided online transition support for all new starters,” she continued.
The National Indian Students and Alumni Union (NISAU) UK has been raising awareness of the suffering of Indian students who are required to pay an additional 1,750 pounds in hotel quarantine fees as a result of the Red List.
Because Covishield – the India-made Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine – does not fall under the UK-approved vaccines scope for quarantine-free travel to the UK under the Amber List, Serum Institute of India CEO Adar Poonawalla set aside Rs 10 crores to aid Indian students who may face higher expenditures.
The UK’s new post-study or Graduate route visa, which went into effect in July, allows students to stay in the country for up to two years after finishing their degree programme to get work experience.
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