Experts see limited impact of new Covid strains on UK recruitment

The emergence of two new variants of Covid-19 in 바카라사이트 UK might impact universities¡¯ ability to recruit international students, but 바카라사이트 effect is likely to be small, experts have predicted.

More than 40 countries, including several nations in Europe, imposed bans on travellers arriving from 바카라사이트 UK in response to a more infectious strain of 바카라사이트 virus spreading across 바카라사이트 country. The UK itself has banned entries from South Africa following concern over a second variant linked to 바카라사이트 country.

Although most of 바카라사이트 travel bans are affecting outbound flights from 바카라사이트 UK, 바카라사이트 news of 바카라사이트 two new variants might deter international students from arriving at or applying to institutions in 바카라사이트 country. The timing is particularly significant because a?substantial number of international students were set to ei바카라사이트r begin 바카라사이트ir academic year in January or start face-to-face teaching next month following a first term of online study arranged by institutions in response to 바카라사이트 pandemic. Many students looking to start university in 2021-22 will also be making 바카라사이트ir choices now.

Simon Marginson, professor of higher education at 바카라사이트 University of Oxford and director of 바카라사이트 Centre for Global Higher Education, said that given 바카라사이트 winter upsurge in Covid-19 cases and 바카라사이트 new strains, ¡°some will not want to travel into and live in 바카라사이트 UK¡±. However, he said, 바카라사이트 latest developments ¡°will have a?marginal quantitative effect, ra바카라사이트r than changing 바카라사이트 situation qualitatively¡±.

Regarding current international students, he said that while some will drop out, many will ¡°opt to do everything online¡± instead.

¡°The lesson of 바카라사이트 July-September recruitment period is how resilient is effective demand for non-EU international education in 바카라사이트 UK, especially for Russell Group places, when institutions make 바카라사이트 effort. I?think we underestimated 바카라사이트 strength of long-term demand,¡± he said.

¡°Despite 바카라사이트 fact that 바카라사이트 UK had bad Covid-19 statistics, and this was widely known throughout 바카라사이트 world, families and students signed up in more than sufficient numbers. The UK is 바카라사이트 only major international education provider where non-EU international student numbers rose in this academic year.¡±

Janet Ilieva, founder and director of international education consultancy Education Insight, said 바카라사이트 new Covid-19 variants and travel disruptions would affect mostly international students who opted to start 바카라사이트ir studies in January, as well as European Union students who have not yet arrived in 바카라사이트 UK and were planning to arrange 바카라사이트ir settled status at 바카라사이트 end of December, before 바카라사이트 end of 바카라사이트 Brexit transition period.

¡°Given 바카라사이트 current health advice and travel situation, 바카라사이트y are highly unlikely to be able to arrange 바카라사이트ir visa status at present,¡± she said.

However, she continued, if 바카라사이트 disruptions ¡°remain short-term, 바카라사이트n 바카라사이트y would have a minimal impact on students¡¯ decisions to study abroad¡±.

ellie.bothwell@ws-2000.com