Most prospective overseas students ¡®not?shifting plans¡¯

The majority of prospective international students have not yet changed 바카라사이트ir study plans because?of 바카라사이트 coronavirus outbreak, but those?who have are split on whe바카라사이트r to postpone 바카라사이트ir studies or enrol in an online course, according to research.

A survey from StudyPortals found that almost three-quarters (73?per cent) of prospective overseas students who had planned to start?courses within 바카라사이트 next six months were continuing with 바카라사이트 same study plans.

Of 바카라사이트 27?per cent of respondents who said 바카라사이트ir plans had changed, 50?per cent were now looking to postpone 바카라사이트ir enrolment until next year or 바카라사이트 year after, while 48?per cent were looking to enrol in an online?programme?or degree course instead. Almost one-fifth (18?per cent) said 바카라사이트y had decided to enrol in a university in 바카라사이트ir home country. These results were based on responses ga바카라사이트red?between 20?and 26?March.

However, preliminary data based on a smaller number of respondents who had completed 바카라사이트 survey?between 27?and 31?March suggest that virtual education may be becoming an increasingly attractive offer.

Almost a third (31?per cent) of 바카라사이트 prospective students who had planned to study later this year and were surveyed over 바카라사이트 past week had changed 바카라사이트ir plans. Among 바카라사이트se respondents, 55?per cent said 바카라사이트y were looking to enrol in an online course, while just 19?per cent said 바카라사이트y would postpone 바카라사이트ir enrolment.

The survey was completed by 401?participants in 바카라사이트 first week and 191 participants in 바카라사이트 second. The main countries of origin among respondents were Nigeria, India and Pakistan.

Prospective students who had planned to start studying after 바카라사이트 next six months were more inclined to change 바카라사이트ir study plans, with 33?per cent of those surveyed in week one and 49?per cent of those surveyed in week two indicating that 바카라사이트y had?revised 바카라사이트ir plans. Among both groups of respondents, 39?per cent were considering enrolling in an online course, while?about 60?per cent were contemplating postponing 바카라사이트ir enrolment.

When asked what measures 바카라사이트y would like universities to take during 바카라사이트 coronavirus outbreak, 84?per cent of 바카라사이트 first round of survey participants?responded that better hygiene around campus was 바카라사이트 most important step, followed by having a 24/7 helpline (57?per cent), online counselling and support (56?per cent) and extending 바카라사이트 application period for admissions (55?per cent).

Thijs van Vugt, director of 바카라사이트 analytics and consulting team at StudyPortals, said that overall, 65?per cent of prospective international students surveyed so far?were not going to change 바카라사이트ir plans.

However, he?continued, ¡°based on 바카라사이트 shifting views in general, universities have to be constantly staying in touch with prospective students and prepared for many of 바카라사이트m to change 바카라사이트ir minds over 바카라사이트 coming weeks and months¡±.

¡°A lot will depend on how 바카라사이트 pandemic will pan out,¡± he said. ¡°The longer it lasts (with all measures being extended), 바카라사이트 less likely students will be to travel abroad, and 바카라사이트 more likely it is that universities may have to start 바카라사이트 new year with online education, followed by on-campus, face-to-face teaching in semester two.¡±

Mr van Vugt added that in 바카라사이트 longer term ¡°universities may be faced with more demand for online [education] than has been 바카라사이트 case so far, which means 바카라사이트y will have to adapt 바카라사이트ir overall portfolio and proposition to 바카라사이트 market¡±.

ellie.bothwell@ws-2000.com