With Brexit rumbling on, will our boarding schools still have their doors open to international students and have they considered the hurdles that they may need to get over?

As experts in British independent education since 1873, Gabbitas is at the forefront of helping families from overseas place their children into British Boarding Schools. We also interact with other agents in this market and with many overseas families evaluating the benefits of a choosing to educate their children in the UK. It is our view that whilst Brexit has clearly been a divisive issue and of concern to many businesses in the UK – British Education does not seem to have been largely affected by the result of the 2016 referendum…yet.

Schools familiar with non-EU student visas and processes

Over the past three years we have not seen any decisive evidence that the international appeal of British education has been affected by Brexit. Independent boarding schools are very experienced in dealing with international students and in handling all the necessary and complex administrative process involved in placing an overseas student in their schools. Traditionally students have been drawn from the EU and the Far East, but today, the majority of overseas students apply from Asia. As a result, schools are already familiar with the visa processes and responsibilities required to enable those students outside of the EU to study in the UK.

The result of a fall in exchange rates has worked to the advantage of overseas families with the costs for boarding becoming even more attractive. Currently, Independent Education is viewed as even better value for money! Some families have asked if they can pay five-years fees in advance to make the most of the currency rates.  This effect also makes British education more competitive against increasing competition from Canada, the US and Australasia who had been growing their international appeal in the run up to the referendum in 2016.

Change in student nationalities

Whilst the statistics show that the number of overseas students has remained steady, the mix of nationalities has changed. UKiset – the UK Independent Schools’ Entry Test has been monitoring changes in international applicants over the past five years. This standardised entry test, owned and operated by Gabbitas, assesses nearly 25% of all international applicants to UK schools and has unique insight into trends and market information on international students. UKiset noted the number of Russian speaking families sending their children to the UK has reduced as a direct result of the political climate at home and the Ukraine crisis. German families no longer have a year in which they can send their children overseas to study as their school system has changed so that it is now 12 and not 13 years- thus the UK opportunity is no longer viable.

The loss of the German and Russian business has more than been replaced by an increase in the number of students from Mainland China, Malaysia, Thailand and Hong Kong. This indicates that the market shift is towards the Far East with increasing numbers of families who can afford a British education in those burgeoning economies; suggesting these more global economic trends are more influential than the UK’s relationship with Europe.

Brexit and the University market are however more closely linked. The Independent Schools sector is a niche enough sector not to be affected by the wider sentiment of Britain leaving the EU. Recruiting university students is on a much wider scale and across a more diverse range of backgrounds and is far more susceptible to the changing environment in the UK. Brexit has made us appear to be far less welcoming to higher education students.

The evidence we have for the past three years shows that the numbers of international students has remained strong and steady. The threat from Brexit is not affecting UK boarding schools who are very well equipped to continue to welcome overseas students not just from Asia but also from the EU, regardless of their visa status.

 

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This article from Alistair Montgomery – Director for London-based education consultant, Gabbitas, first appeared in the Spring 2020 edition of School Report

As an international student starting at a UK University, we are sure that you are feeling a mixture of relief, excitement and anxiety at the moment.

Relief about your results and the fact that you have secured a place on a course at a University in the UK; excitement about the new adventure that lies ahead and a vague sense of anxiety about what you need to do before you go; how will you make your way there? What will it be like when you get there? Will you make friends and will you enjoy the experience?

Well – don’t worry about the last two. Yes, you will make friends and yes, you will enjoy the experience even if it feels a bit odd to begin with. As for the rest of the questions – we can help – here are the things that you need to think about before you head off.

Valid Passport

Make sure that you have a valid passport with more than 6 months to run and at least 2 clear pages. You will not be able to secure a visa or to travel without a valid passport.

 

CAS and Visa

As an international student you will require a Tier 4 Visa to study in the UK. Your University should have already been in touch with a ‘confirmation of acceptance for studies’ or CAS number. Once you have this number you can apply for your study visa at your nearest British Visa application centre. Print this letter so you have a hard copy to produce wherever you need too.

 

Bank Statements

To secure your visa you will also need to produce documentary evidence that you have enough money to pay the tuition fees and cover your living costs whilst you are in the UK, this normally requires you to produce bank statements showing where the money is.

 

Short Term Visa

Initially you will be granted a short term visa which lasts for 30 days, this allows you to enter the country and then collect your BRP.

 

Biometric Resident Permit (BRP)

This permit says what you are doing in the UK and how long you are allowed to stay there. It will be issued when your visa is approved. You will have to collect this permit before you short term visa expires once you are in the UK. Normally you can pick it up from a designated post office near your University or from your sponsor. Your BRP will have digital photo of your face and your fingerprints. You need this document to prove your identity and the fact you have the right to study in the UK.

 

Other Certificates

Check if you need an X Ray or vaccination certificates, sometimes these are required before entry to the UK.

 

Plane Ticket

Once you have all of the right documents in place then it is time to book your plane ticket – now you are really on your way! Don’t forget to check out regional airports which may be more convenient than landing in London and then having to travel to another part of the UK.

 

Contact Details

Make sure that you have all the contact details for your University printed off and safely stored. Your university should have sent this through to you so if you do not have this information now then go into the website, call them and ask them to a support phone number. Also make sure you have your CAS, and your letter of acceptance of study plus information about the course you will be studying. Why print it off? You will need this information when you land in the UK so now is not the time to rely on a phone or tablet that has just run out of battery….

 

Meet and Greet

Check if there is a meet and greet service from your University – if there is – book it! It will be a great relief to arrive and be greeted by a friendly face and not to have to worry about the onward journey.

 

Onward Journey

If there is no meet and greet – make sure you have planned your route to the University and booked train or bus tickets to get your there. You will be nervous enough as it is without having to worry about how you are going to get there.

University can be a fantastic experience but the more planning you do in advance to make sure things go smoothly the better.

 

Useful websites:

UK GOV – information about visa applications
UKICSA – information about immigration and fees