Traveling To The Uk: A Guide For Indian Students

Indian students have long been attracted to the UK's top-ranking universities and cutting-edge research opportunities. However, the COVID-19 pandemic and the UK's frequently changing travel rules have made it challenging for Indian students to pursue their educational goals in the country. In this paragraph, we will explore the impact of the pandemic on Indian students' travel plans and the ease of restrictions that have made the UK an ideal destination once again.

Quarantine rules for Indian students travelling to the UK

As of August 2021, Indian students travelling to the UK were required to quarantine on arrival, regardless of their vaccination status. This was due to India's 'red-listed' status in terms of the COVID-19 pandemic. Students were also required to book their hotel stay and two coronavirus tests for after their arrival.

However, as of January 2022, the UK has eased some travel restrictions for fully vaccinated passengers and those under 18, removing the need for a pre-departure test and self-isolation on arrival. This means that fully vaccinated students no longer have to self-isolate while waiting for their results.

From 9 January 2022, eligible fully vaccinated travellers aged 5 and over are able to take a lateral flow test (LFT) instead of a PCR on or before day two of their arrival in England. Students who test positive will have to self-isolate and take an additional NHS PCR test to confirm the result. Those with a positive PCR test will need to self-isolate for 10 days. The day of receiving a positive result would be counted as Day 0. The NHS states that travellers can stop self-isolating if they do an LFT on the sixth and seventh days of their quarantine period and receive two negative results, taken at least 24 hours apart, and do not have a high temperature.

Unvaccinated Indian students are still permitted to travel to the UK but must self-isolate for a full period of 10 days, regardless of whether their COVID-19 test is negative. They must show proof of a negative pre-departure LFT or PCR test, taken two days before leaving for the UK, and take a PCR test on or before day two of their arrival, which must be booked with a government-approved provider before travelling. They must also self-isolate while waiting for their arrival test results and abide by the UK's home quarantine rules for 10 full days. Indian travellers will also have to take an additional PCR test on Day 8 of their home quarantine and self-isolate for a further 10 days if this test is positive.

Upon entering the UK, travellers must provide an address where they will be staying on the passenger locator form. This could be a rented term-time address, with friends or family, or in a standard hotel or other temporary accommodation. The UK government notes that travellers should go straight to the place they are staying to quarantine upon arrival and avoid using public transport unless necessary.

UK student visa rules for Indian students

Indian students need a student visa to travel to the UK for their education. Here are the rules and requirements for obtaining a UK student visa for Indian students.

Types of Student Visas

The type of student visa you need depends on your age and the length of your course. The three main types of UK student visas are:

• Short-term Study Visa: For students enrolling in courses up to six months long or English language courses up to 11 months long.
• Student Visa (formerly Tier 4): For students aged 16 and above, coming to the UK for higher education.
• Child Student Visa: For children aged 4-17 who wish to study at an independent school in the UK.

Eligibility Requirements

To be eligible for a UK student visa, you must meet the following requirements:

• Have an unconditional offer and Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) from a licensed UK educational institution.
• Provide proof of English language proficiency through tests such as IELTS, TOEFL, or PTE.
• Demonstrate sufficient financial resources to support yourself during your studies. The amount varies depending on whether you are studying in London or outside London and whether you are applying as a child or adult.
• If you are aged 16 or 17, you need consent from your parents or guardians.

Application Process

The UK student visa application process can be completed online through the Gov.UK website. Here are the steps to apply:

• Obtain a confirmed place/offer from a UK educational institution and receive your CAS.
• Take the required English language proficiency test.
• Gather proof of financial resources to cover your course fees and living costs.
• Prepare your academic and supporting documents, such as exam mark sheets and passports.
• Fill out the online application form and book an appointment at the visa application centre.
• Pay the application fee, which is £363 for outside the UK and £490 to extend or switch from inside the UK.
• Provide your biometrics, including fingerprints and photographs.

Additional Information

• Processing Time: The processing time for a UK student visa can vary but it is recommended to apply at least three months in advance.
• Work Permission: Students are usually allowed to work part-time during their studies and full-time during scheduled breaks.
• Dependents: Postgraduate research students are not allowed to bring dependents or family members to the UK. For other courses, dependents can apply separately as 'dependent on a Points-Based System migrant'.
• Priority Services: Applicants can opt for priority visa services (within 5 working days) or super priority visa services (within 24 hours) for an additional fee.

The UK's red list and how it affects Indian students

The UK's Red List is a list of countries from which there are strict restrictions on travel to Britain. In April 2021, India was added to the list due to fears of a new COVID-19 variant spreading. This ban prohibited almost all travel from India, with only those who had residence rights being granted entry into the UK.

Impact on Indian Students

When India was on the Red List, Indian students enrolled in British universities were exempt from the travel ban and could still enter the country. However, they were required to quarantine for 10 days in a government-approved hotel, which caused financial worry among students due to the associated costs.

Current Situation

As of August 2021, India has been moved from the Red List to the Amber List. This change has made it easier for Indian students to travel to the UK as they no longer need to quarantine in a government-managed facility. Instead, they can choose their quarantine location, which is often their university accommodation or a friend or family home address.

Fully vaccinated travellers from the Amber List countries are required to fill in a passenger locator form and take COVID-19 tests before and after arrival. Unvaccinated travellers must show proof of a negative pre-departure test, take additional tests on arrival, and self-isolate while waiting for their results.

Future Prospects

The UK is planning to ease immigration restrictions for Indian nationals, making it more convenient for them to stay and work in the country after graduation. Recent reports indicate a significant increase in the number of Indian students choosing the UK as their educational destination.

COVID-19 testing requirements for Indian students entering the UK

As of January 2022, the UK has eased some travel restrictions for fully vaccinated passengers and those under 18, removing the need for a pre-departure test and self-isolation on arrival. However, there are still some COVID-19 testing requirements that Indian students must follow when entering the UK. Here are the key points to know:

For Fully Vaccinated Indian Students:

• Pre-departure tests are not required anymore. However, international travellers must conduct a test on arrival.
• Fully vaccinated passengers are required to fill in and submit an online Passenger Locator Form within 48 hours before their departing flight to the UK.
• On or before day two of arrival in the UK, students must take either a lateral flow test (LFT) or a PCR test.
• If you choose to take an LFT and receive a positive result, you must self-isolate and take an additional NHS PCR test to confirm the result.
• If the PCR test result is positive, you must self-isolate for 10 days from the day of the positive result (day 0).
• The NHS states that travellers can stop self-isolating before the recommended 10-day period if they do LFTs on the sixth and seventh days of their quarantine period, and both tests are negative, done at least 24 hours apart, and they don't have a high temperature.

For Unvaccinated Indian Students:

• Unvaccinated Indian students are still permitted to travel to the UK but with additional requirements.
• A negative pre-departure LFT or PCR test is required, to be taken two days before leaving for the UK.
• On or before day two of arrival in the UK, a PCR test must be taken, which must be booked with a government-approved provider before travelling.
• Unvaccinated travellers must self-isolate for 10 full days, regardless of whether their COVID-19 test result is negative.
• On day 8 of the home quarantine, another PCR test is required. If this test is positive, 10 more days of self-isolation are necessary.

General Guidelines for All Indian Students:

• Upon entering the UK, travellers must provide an address where they will be staying on the Passenger Locator Form. This can be a rented term-time address, with friends or family, or in a hotel or other temporary accommodation.
• Travellers should ensure they have food and other necessities delivered to them as they cannot change their location upon arriving at the declared address.
• The UK government advises travellers to go straight to their place of quarantine and avoid using public transport unless necessary.
• It is recommended to regularly monitor the UK government website for potential changes to travel rules.

The best UK universities for Indian students

Indian students have long been attracted to the UK's top-notch universities and state-of-the-art research facilities. The UK's reputation for providing a high-quality education at top-ranking universities, along with cutting-edge research opportunities, makes it a significant magnet for international students. The consistent rise in the number of Indian students choosing the UK as their study destination speaks volumes about the country's enduring appeal.

• Coventry University: Ranked 601-800 by Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2022, Coventry has a diverse student population, with 46% of its students from outside the UK. In the academic year 2020-2021, 2,580 Indian students joined this university. Popular courses include MBA Global Business, International Business Management, and Business Analytics.
• University of West London (UWL): UWL is home to a large number of international students, comprising 39% of its total student population. In the academic year 2020-2021, nearly 1000 Indian students enrolled. The university is known for its programmes in arts, computer science, business, hospitality, and advertising.
• University of Hertfordshire: Ranked 601-800 by Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2022, the University of Hertfordshire has over 17,700 students, 31% of whom are international. In the academic year 2020-2021, 4920 Indian students joined. It offers a wide range of courses, including business, engineering, law, and arts.
• De Montfort University: With more than 5,000 international students, De Montfort University is a popular choice for Indian students. In the academic year 2020-2021, 1,335 Indian students enrolled. The university offers programmes in health and life sciences, business and law, arts and design, and engineering and computers.
• London Business School, University of London: Affiliated with the University of London, London Business School is renowned for its MBA and business programmes. Its student community includes over 1500 international students, with nearly 200 from India in the academic year 2020-2021.
• Leeds Beckett University: With over 18,000 students, 12% of whom are international, Leeds Beckett University is another popular choice for Indian students. In the academic year 2020-2021, 985 Indian students enrolled. The university offers a wide range of programmes, including architecture, clinical sciences, engineering, music, language studies, and business. They also offer scholarships for Indian students at all levels.
• University of Bedfordshire: This university is known for its teaching excellence and high student satisfaction rates. With a total student population of around 10,500, nearly half are international students. Approximately 3000 Indian students enrolled in the academic year 2020-2021.
• University of Warwick: Ranked among the top 100 universities in the world by Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2022, the University of Warwick is one of the most international universities, with 43% international students. It has a diverse student body of over 22,000, with an equal female-to-male ratio. In the academic year 2020-2021, 795 Indian students enrolled.
• Nottingham Trent University (NTU): Ranked among the top 600 universities in the world, NTU is recognised for its academic performance. With over 27,000 students, 20% of whom are international, NTU offers a wide range of courses, including science, health, medicine, business, creative arts, and engineering. In the academic year 2020-2021, 1,065 Indian students enrolled.
• Edge Hill University: With 6% of its student population comprising international students, Edge Hill University offers a variety of undergraduate, postgraduate, and research programmes in areas such as business, arts, science, and education. It also offers fast-track degree programmes. According to HEPA data, 190 Indian students enrolled in the academic year 2020-2021.

When choosing a university, Indian students should consider various factors such as rankings, subject modules, fee structure, and entry requirements. The UK's recent easing of travel restrictions and planned immigration rule changes will also make it easier for Indian students to study and work in the country after graduation.

Frequently asked questions