The global pandemic has undoubtedly reshaped the entire mechanism of the international education system. From the mode of lessons to college placements, the usual procedure of international admission has also been disrupted. The escalation of positive Covid-19 cases worldwide eventually led schools and colleges to shut down from March 2020. Since then, delays, bans, and shutting down various important centers have left the international students in a dilemma. Having witnessed such tribulations, the education sector of the foreign countries has been trying to introduce ways and means to ease out the way applications are processed. Here are some of the changes that universities have brought to support international student admission.
Intake selection
Colleges and Universities have slowly started to open up for offline or hybrid learning irrespective of their Covid-19 transmission rates. At the moment, India has been blacklisted by many countries in the world for the next one month. It solely depends on the recovery rate of the country whether India will be able to step out of this Black List. September is the most preferred intake amongst Indian students. Therefore, before you start applying for education abroad, take note of the offered learning model to be on the safer side. It is always better to opt for offline classes than to pay the total fees for the online class. Your intake selection should support the current situation of the country.
Intake Deferral
Most international colleges and universities provide three admission intakes to the students: the Fall, Spring and Winter intake. If you are a student who has already paid the tuition fee and cannot make it to the country before the classes begin, then you should contact the institution for possible intake deferrals to the next intake. However, many students have already availed for this option which may or may not leave you a seat in the next semester. You can also ask the college for allowing you to attend online classes from India. If both do not work, then the only option open for you is to ask for a tuition fee refund. Many colleges in Canada and Australia have opened this gateway for students struggling due to travel bans. You must not hurry to take this step. Even a slight drop in the current Covid cases can open up international doors for you.
Covid-19 Vaccine for International Students
Several countries have reached the consensus to allow vaccinated travellers, including visitors and students, to their country. Many countries have not mandated Covid-19 vaccination for international students. However, countries like Georgia and the United States are pressing over the matter. You must check with your respective institutions to know whether or not you need to be vaccinated. However, for your safety, it is best to get vaccinated as soon as possible.
New Quarantine Rules
Last year, many countries instructed a set of laws where the student will have to show a negative report of Covid-19 on arrival. For instance, international students travelling to the UK should test negative for variants of COVID-19 two days before travel. Further, every student must arrange for his or her quarantine schedule before arrival. For example, in Canada, the student must quarantine in their accommodation for 14 days after arriving from overseas. Every country has imposed a different quarantine rule for international immigrants. To make sure you are well prepared, you must regularly keep a check over the government protocols.
English Proficiency Test Requirements
Before, all international students were supposed to sit in person for the exam. However, the pandemic has now led to the shutting down of all examination centres. Though some centres are slowly opening up, the English-speaking universities also accept other alternative language proficiency tests. For instance, the Duolingo English Test is one of the fastest and cheapest online exams that you can opt for. Apart from this, the IELTS (International English Language Testing System) has introduced a new IELTS Indicator test to assess the student’s listening, reading, writing and speaking skills online. The TOEFL iBT Home Edition is another safe and convenient option for students to take their English proficiency test at home. You can always check the official website of your colleges or personally contact them to know whether they are accepting any one of these.
Secondary Exam Certificate Requirements
With little respite in the daily coronavirus cases in India, many secondary examination boards have postponed the final exam for the students of class 12. However, foreign universities are being supportive in terms of extending deadlines for students whose final exams have been postponed. For instance, Canadian universities provide the student with unconditional letters so that the students can already apply for the visa. In cases where the school board has cancelled final exams, the universities have agreed to evaluate based on the final grades offered by the school. Many are ready to adjust their usual grading practices. According to them, their holistic admissions procedures also include marks of classes 9-12, essays, and other activities, which allows them to eliminate class 12 scores.
Like the changes mentioned above, many countries have come up with more ways to regulate international admissions. To stay updated, you must regularly follow up on university and their respective countries. Every week comes with a new set of travel rules for the students and other travellers. However, as far as the procedures are concerned, the GetSet team will always be there to help you stay ahead!