How International Students Studying in the UK are Dealing with the Crisis

With the UK now in another national lockdown, how are current international students adapting to the coronavirus crisis? 

Around a third of current international students studying at a UK university are studying remotely from their home country (29%), according to the latest QS coronavirus survey analysis. 

Of these respondents who are studying remotely from their home country, the majority expect to be able to travel to the UK in January 2021 (39%), while 13% predict November of this year, another 13% predict December, and 10% predict August 2021 or later. 

For those respondents who are currently studying within the UK (66%), 60% of these respondents are being asked to limit the number of visitors at their place of residence and avoid contact with people outside their social bubble 

These findings are sourced from the latest QS white paper, UK Higher Education During COVID-19: How International Students are Weathering the Crisiswhich examines the coronavirus survey insights with a focus on current international students studying at a UK university and prospective international students who are interested in studying in the UK.  

For current international students studying at a UK institution, 46% are being taught entirely online and 40% are being taught mostly online with some face-to-face learning.  

When compared to worldwide results, 50% are being taught all online while only 26% were being taught mostly online with some face-to-face teaching, suggesting that this option is more popular within UK universities than their global counterparts. 

Additionally, current UK international students state that 72% of UK universities are making all classes available online so isolating students don’t miss anything, compared to 66% in the worldwide results. 

There is also a significant gap with making face coverings essential in communal areas (71% in the UK results, compared to 55% worldwide). 

To discover more insights, download a free copy of the latest QS white paper: UK Higher Education During COVID-19: How International Students are Weathering the Crisis

More QS Insights

Sign up for industry insights

Receive the latest insights, expertise and commentary on the topics which matter most in higher education, straight to your inbox.

Sign up