While the pandemic and travel restrictions affected thousands of Indian students planning to study in the UK and other countries from the summer of 2020; This year the situation is slowly returning to normal. “Students and education systems around the world faced several pandemic-led challenges during the early months; And while the travel restrictions bar students from traveling abroad, it was really encouraging that the students did not put off their study plans to join the institutions of their dreams. There was considerable uncertainty at least until the vaccination campaign began, however, the number of Indian students enrolling in UK institutions to continue with their study plans remained unaffected. Vivienne SternDirector, Universities UK International (UUKI), a forum for UK universities internationally, explained times of India, According to the UK’s Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA), during 2020-21, over 82,000 Indians studied in UK institutions.
“Health and travel restrictions in the UK have now been lifted, and with teaching and social activities facing off, campuses have largely returned to normal. However, universities learned a lot from different ways of teaching during the pandemic, and are trying to keep some of the beneficial aspects of online provision where students find them helpful. Students have also been able to complete work placements and travel abroad as part of their studies,” says Rowan KennedyDeputy Director, India, British Council, said.
Among other benefits, international students are provided with the UK’s National Health Service (NHS) as part of the student visa application through which they can obtain necessary or urgent treatment without any upfront cost.
“We are excited to see the phenomenal growth in the response and applications from Indian students over the past few years. While the UK has always been a popular overseas study destination for Indian students and a healthy number of students have made their way to the country, the current rise in popularity can be attributed to the new efforts of the two countries to help each other. enable it. Strong centers of higher education,” Stern said.
The introduction of the Graduate Pathway in July 2021, which allows international graduates to work visas after two years of study at UK universities, has expanded opportunities for talented Indian students to pursue successful careers in the UK. To apply for the graduation route, Indian students do not need a job offer, there is no salary requirement and no limit on the number. It enables international graduates in the UK to work flexibly, move between job opportunities and develop their careers.
According to official figures, since the start of the graduation route in July 2021, more than 12,000 Indian students have been able to gain further skills and experience after completing their degrees in the UK. “Indian, Nigerian and Chinese nationals made more than half (58%) visa grants this route. Foreign graduates also continue to have highly successful careers in the UK, with graduate outcomes data showing that the average earnings of non-EU graduates employed in the UK five years after graduation is higher (19.7%) than UK domiciled graduates ,” said Stern.
“The UK is committed to supporting thousands of Indian students to pursue world-class UK education and post-study employment opportunities, enabling students to gain prestigious international work experience,” he said. According to official figures, Indian citizens are the second largest international student community in the UK.
A recent higher education delegation from the UK to India, led by the British Council, UUKI, the Department for International Trade (DIT UK) and the Department for Education (DFE UK) earlier this month, included representatives from 22 UK higher education institutions and be focused. On the mutual recognition of international opportunities between the two countries. “Our two countries are aligned to realize the mutual vision agreed between our Prime Ministers through the India-UK Roadmap 2030. Departments of Education in both countries to achieve a Framework for Mutual Recognition of Academic Qualifications (MRQs) Working together, the MRQ will pave the way for deeper collaboration between India and the UK, allowing for greater exchange of knowledge and ideas between institutions and student mobility between the two countries,” Kennedy said.
He said that during the British Prime Minister boris johnsonOn a visit to India in April, the two Prime Ministers appreciated progress on the agreement for the MRQ, which would encourage mobility of students from both countries by facilitating continued academic studies and partnerships between higher education institutions in India and the UK .