Undergraduate degrees
Undergraduate degrees
Covid-19 updates
UK
Covid-19 and learning
If you are an international student interested in UK study and need advice and support throughout this unprecedented period, please read below for the latest information. The wellbeing of our staff and students has always been of utmost importance, and never more so than in situations like this.
The autumn intake is currently underway and UK universities are now processing applications for January and September 2021 entry as normal.
Uniserv is closely monitoring local conditions and government advice in the UK, as well as across all our global offices. If you need to speak to someone, get in touch with us here. Study UK and Coronavirus Updates
- January and September 2021 Entry
The next main student intakes are scheduled for January 2021 and September 2021 and UK universities are currently processing applications as normal.
- Autumn 2020 Entry
Autumn 2020 entry is currently underway and universities across the UK are welcoming international students onto their campuses.
- Blended Learning at UK Universities
Teaching has partially moved online for those studying from Autumn 2020 at some institutions, as universities across the UK look for innovative ways to make learning safe, interactive and engaging.
Campuses are open, but a form of hybrid learning will take place, with face-to-face tuition and digital lectures and seminars allowing social distancing guidelines to be followed.
New measures implemented by universities include buildings that have clearly marked entry and exit points; sanitiser stations, floor markings and social distancing measures. Please speak to one of ou counsellors for university specific measures.
- In-person Teaching
A poll conducted by Universities UK has found that the majority of higher education institutes in the UK will be providing in-person teaching and face-to-face social opportunities this Autumn.
97% of the universities surveyed said they will provide some in-person teaching to students at the start of term this year, whilst 87% are planning to provide in-person sporting, fitness and wellbeing activities.
- Student Visa Extensions
All international students whose visas were due to run out by July 31st were granted a one month 'grace period' extension by the UK government. This allowed students to arrange travel to their home country now travel restrictions have been lifted.
The extension originally applied to any student whose visa expired after January 24th and could not leave the UK because of travel restrictions or self-isolation. The one-month extension ended on August 31st. Students will no longer be able to extend their visa automatically on this basis and must either leave the country or apply to regularise their stay in the UK.
- Online Consultations
If you would like to discuss your current application with one of our consultants, or have any questions about COVID-19 and its implications for UK study we welcome one-to-one Skype/Zoom calls with our team who will be happy to help.
We are fully aware that we will not yet have answers to all of your questions, but do, please let our team know if there are specific concerns or issues you would like more information about.
AUSTRALIA
Covid-19 and the boarders
Supporting international students and graduates
Australia remains a high quality and welcoming destination for international students. The Government has announced a range of visa measures to support students. Some of these measures need legislation to be changed and students’ should check regularly for more information. The measures will be temporary and will continue for as long as necessary.
Offshore student visa grants
While Australia has continued to process applications, granting visas is only available for students who lodged a student visa application outside Australia where all the requirements are met.
While travel restrictions remain in place, you cannot travel to Australia. Australian institutions will continue offering classes virtually until when it is safe to be on-campus.
Return of international students to Australia
Arrangements for the return of international students to Australia will be implemented once it is safe to do so, and in a way which protects the Australian community.
Flexible timeframes for additional information – English tests, biometrics and health
We are allowing additional time for you to provide English language test results if you were unable to take a test because of COVID-19. Additional time will also be provided for biometrics collection and health checks where COVID-19 disrupted access to services.
Where you have made an appointment for one or more of these services, which is more than 28 days into the future, you may attach your booking confirmation in ImmiAccount.
Current Student visa conditions
We’re taking a flexible approach where COVID‑19 restrictions have prevented student visa conditions being met. You will not be in breach of your student visa conditions if you:
Have an approved course deferral
Are studying online.
USA
Covid-19 and learning
Visa Updates
The United States Embassy in Kenya remains unable to resume routine immigrant and nonimmigrant visa services at this time due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic in Kenya. We will resume routine visa services as soon as possible but are unable to provide a specific date. If you have already paid the MRV fee, it is valid and may be used to schedule an interview appointment in the country where it was purchased within one year of the date of payment. If you have an urgent need to travel immediately, please follow the guidance provided at https://ais.usvisa-info.com/en-ke/niv/information/niv to request an emergency appointment.
Please be advised that all entrants to the U.S. Embassy, including consular applicants, are subject to body temperature screening, and may be refused entry if displaying an elevated temperature.
International students
All classes for international students joining in Fall 2020 will continue to be offered virtually.
US government has issued criteria and preparedness guidelines for states to proceed with a phased reopening based on the advice of public health experts.
CANADA
Important IRCC and Study Permit Update
What you should know about the IRCC Approval-in-Principle (AIP)
On July 14, 2020 Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) announced a new interim process allowing international students to begin online programs in their home country September 2020. This process is available to students starting a program in the fall semester who submit a study permit application before September 15, 2020.
This measure will reassure students that they can enroll and begin their studies this fall online, even when they are not able to submit all study permit required documentation due to pandemic-related closures.
The temporary process will allow applicants to count the time spent studying online abroad towards their eligibility for a post-graduation work permit once they receive an approval-in-principle, as long as they are able to satisfy all requirements and receive the full approval of their study permit application at a later date, and if at least 50% of their program is completed in Canada.
As services begin to reopen, applicants will be required to submit remaining documents and receive an approved study permit before being allowed to travel to Canada.
Important considerations for the approval-in-principle
AIP (Approval-in-Principle) is only available to those with complete study permit application to ensure that permits are processed as quickly as possible
Required language assessments vary depending on countries. For India, students are required to submit in-person IELTS/TOEFL scores
AIP (Stage 1 approval) does not guarantee a full study permit approval (stage 2 approval)
No travel will be allowed until further notice unless students have study permit approval prior to March 18 AND the student’s program requires on-campus attendance for September 2020.
COVID-19 (Coronavirus) Update to Learners
While the world continues to grapple with the unknowns of the COVID-19 pandemic, Canadian institutions are ensuring students will have many opportunities to engage meaningfully with their peers and professors using different platforms and technology. On-campus learning will only occur for courses where it is safe and necessary to do so.