Looking to study abroad in 2021 during COVID pandemic

 The COVID pandemic has caused travel restrictions across the globe troubling students to study abroad. Students looking to commence their courses abroad in late-2020 or 2021 are have to face a lot of challenges in this situation. There is no answer to when will the pandemic end and there is neither news about the vaccine, the consequences on the higher education sector in the months to come is not yet clear and still unfolding.

 

How is the COVID pandemic affecting study abroad?

If you are planning to study abroad, it is important to follow new norms laid carefully, both in your home and your destination country. Here are some of the new rules and regulations brought up to ensure safety during the pandemic

 

·  Cancellation of face-to-face teaching or exams: To counter the wide spread of corona virus, most of the universities have suspended any on-campus activities and shifted their classes online. Exams  are postponed or held in different formats.

·  Restrictions on Travel: There are restrictions on travel at their borders of many countries. This is affecting foreign students in 2020 and is still unclear but you should follow new developments closely so you can plan ahead.

·  Admission procedures and application deadlines: The pandemic is affecting the administration and in turn eligibility of applicants, it is possible that universities will make changes to their admissions processes, and postpone application deadlines or semester start dates. 

Is it possible to study abroad in 2021?

Yes it is possible. If you’re looking to study abroad in 2021 or late-2020, then there are opportunities available for a fall 2020 or a 2021 start.

If COVID pandemic restricts you to physically attend campus or travel to the country due to travel restrictions, many universities are offering international students an option to start their degrees online, so they can shift to on-campus options as soon as borders are open and travel restrictions on international student are removed.

 Following are some of the latest updates on study abroad options in some popular countries. Hoping the current situation to get better in coming months having a proper knowledge of different scenarios in your preferred destination can help plan your study abroad

 United Kingdom 

The UK are looking to support international students in this COVID situation and not shut down their late-2020 and 2021 intake.

If you are considering to study in UK , it is advised to keep in touch with your university due to the changes made and new rules , you may even required to start your studies online.

The UK have extended post-study work visa to two years providing a great opportunity for international students in extending their stay in the country. Students starting online studies due to COVID-19 restrictions are considered as long as they arrive in the UK by April 2021.

Canada

Applications open for 2020/21 intake

Canada currently has restrictions international travel post COVID-19 pandemic, which means no international student with a study permit granted after 18 March 2020 can enter the country. While the Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada(IRCC) has announced a major study permit changes to offer new support for international students. The Canadian Government is allowing international students to start their study programs online while their study permit is under approval process, and travel restrictions lifted. International students starting online classes are eligible to apply for post-graduation work permit(PGWP) provided they apply for a study permit prior to 15 September 2020 and can prove 50% of the course was completed in Canada.

 Australia

Australia currently has active international travel restrictions due COVID-19 pandemic. However, universities are working very closely with government to plan for an early-2021 intake for international students. The Government will recommence granting student visas in all locations lodged outside Australia. This means when borders re-open, students will already have visas and be able to make arrangements to travel. Many universities have transitioned to online studies so international students can commence their studies online until travel restrictions are lifted.

 New Zealand

If you are applying to commence your study in a Semester 1 or Trimester 1 intake in early 2021, then applications open from mid-August onwards depending on the university’s intake dates.

New Zealand currently has very strict international travel bans to prevent the COVID-19 pandemic. However, universities are working very closely with government to plan for an early-2021 intake for international students. New Zealand’s Minister of Education announced a long-term recovery plan for the international education sector, it includes a $51.6 million investment from the COVID-19 recovery and response fund to help reset New Zealand’s international education sector. Many universities have transitioned to online studies so international students can commence their studies online until travel restrictions are lifted.

 United States (US)

The USA have limited travel restrictions compared to other popular study abroad destinations and are accepting international students, which means you are able to apply to study in the 2020/21 academic year. If an international student was enrolled in a full-time study course in the US on March 9, but subsequently left the country, then they are likely to remain eligible for a visa since March 2020 that permitted to take a full-time online course from inside the US or from abroad. International students in the US for their fall intake 2020 are allowed to switch to a fully online model from a hybrid program.