How Covid-19 Pandemic has Impacted UK Universities:
The coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19) and the various measures taken to stop its spread have significantly affected the daily life and mental health of the population; however, many higher education students find themselves in a unique situation that may be related to Others who are. with those who are not familiar are isolated in a family. The COVID-19 pandemic is causing serious financial problems for UK universities.
Throughout 2020, the coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19) has affected everyone’s lives. As students return to University in the fall semester, the focus is on ensuring that they can continue their studies safely during the pandemic.
However, there are many questions about the impact of the pandemic on students. These questions include understanding the prevalence of COVID-19 among students, factors that increase the risk of transmission, and the impact of the pandemic on the well-being and mental health of students.
Will the overseas students come to the UK to study next academic year?
How severe is the impact of COVID-19 on the short- and long-term future of the UK higher education system? Should universities plan to start school in September or move their operations to the Internet? The truth of the matter is that we currently do not know the exact nature of the impact of COVID-19 on the needs of future students. Some universities are planning the worst-case scenario, which may result in the loss of up to 75% of foreign students and 20% of local students going to university in September this year, which may cause serious financial problems.
In the worst-case scenario, it has been suggested that all universities except Oxford and Cambridge may go bankrupt. A survey by the British Council (2020) shows that as many as 50% of graduate students who plan to come to the UK have postponed their plans, and about 20% may change their destinations as a result. The cause of the COVID-19 pandemic. If China, India, and many African countries prove to be flexible in their demand for UK university education, then these measures may not be necessary.
Obviously, many international students will choose not to come to the UK in September 2020. But does this mean they will never come? A large part of this lawsuit may continue to be effective in September 2021, and many students will only postpone it for one year. This logic may prove that the government regards the impending financial crisis of British higher education as a short-term liquidity crisis.
The number of overseas students will drop by-
As the next school year approaches, the disturbance caused by Covid-19 continues. What seems certain is that travel problems, social distancing and poor economic conditions will continue into September and may collectively lead to a reduction in tuition fees at UK Universities.
This effect is especially significant among foreign students. One particular attraction of UK institutions is their experiential value, but this will be hit hard by the pandemic. Because social distance limits face-to-face teaching, many courses are conducted online. In fact, some universities (including the University of Cambridge) have already signaled the suspension of face-to-face lectures throughout the year.
Therefore, foreign students may be particularly reluctant to pay hefty international fees to “study” at a British university in their dormitory. Even if face-to-face learning is possible, travel difficulties and fear of new outbreaks can limit the number of international students willing to travel to the UK. In fact, a recent survey of 11,000 students showed that nearly half of those planning to study abroad now plan to postpone it, and there is a fifth plan to change their destination or abandon their plan to go abroad.
Many Universities Rely on International Fees Only-
The decline in the number of foreign students is expected to have a serious financial impact on many higher education institutions.
In the last ten years, student fees have generally become a growing source of funding for institutions of higher education. In the final academic year, tuition fees and education contracts accounted for almost half of the university’s total revenue (£ 20bn).
At 6.5 billion pounds, tuition fees for foreign students account for more than a third of all tuition fees. Therefore, these students represent a large part (17%) of the total income. As Russell Group CEO Tim Bradshaw puts it, many institutions rely on international interest rates to “support important work that would otherwise not be able to obtain sufficient funds”.
Therefore, the sharp drop in foreign fees will put these universities at great risk, and according to the statistics of the Higher Education Bureau, London’s universities will be disproportionately affected.
In the short term, what measures can universities take?
The main problem University faces is avoiding short-term bankruptcy, and it plans to start school in September. But what if the university is not allowed to reopen in September? Or, if there is a second or subsequent pandemic wave, what will happen? Universities must develop contingency plans for these unexpected events. Those without reserves or endowments can only apply for special funding assistance from the central government.
But it has been pointed out that this will come at the cost of major structural reforms. Faced with these huge expected income losses, many British universities have implemented or planned to implement freezes on recruitment, layoffs, termination of short-term contracts, abandoning courses and even full degree courses and closing departments. There have been talks about the merger of adjacent universities, although the evidence on the efficiency that will be obtained is weak.
Some university executives have adopted voluntary pay cuts and recommended that faculty and staff do the same. These measures have had a huge adverse effect on employment in the university sector, with some estimates suggesting the loss of up to 300,000 jobs (London Economy 2020). The calculation of risk liability based on the financial status of different universities shows that 30 to 50 of them may be in direct danger of bankruptcy (London Economics 2020, Brackley 2020). Brackley (2020) calculated the university with the most financial bankruptcy risk, and its “risk score” took into account the university’s current debt and loan financial status and the risk of loss of fee income.
What can or should the Government do to help?
Can the government office consider allowing several universities to be closed? Politically, this may lead to quite high popularity. This is especially true if the university in question is mainly located in northern England, Scotland and Wales. The cost of merging and reorganizing a university with neighbours can be said to be expensive, and there is relatively little evidence supporting possible economies of scale. But this should not prevent universities from seriously considering this option in an attempt to streamline their offering and save costs.
Another related issue to consider is whether the government should force adjacent universities to merge. In response to the potential loss of tuition revenue from foreign students, UUK (2020) requires the government to increase short-term research funding of £ 2.2 billion. Rather, the government decided to increase research funding by just £ 100 million and allow undergraduate fee income from student loan companies to grow to £ 2.6 billion. This equates to providing approximately 10% of the fee income loan to the college.
Although this loan will become a short-term lifeline for some universities, it will only store future financing problems because these loans will increase future financial obligations. We currently do not know how this loan will be provided to universities, or whether it is directly proportional to the current level of potential shortfalls in each university. The last sentence of the British Treasury Department is that it may provide financial contributions to any institution in financial distress in exchange for restructuring reforms.
So will the UK Government intervene to bail out the Universities?
Despite announcing a series of measures, so far, they have rejected the ES department’s request for a £2 billion rescue plan. However, University Minister Michel Donneran admitted that “it’s not her fault that universities are continuing their administrative fees and expenditures during this time.”
Without government support, some universities are sure to be able to Overcoming difficulties, thanks to reduced cash reserves or relatively low enrolment. However, for others, there may be few options available, and drastic measures such as mergers may be the only way out.
Other sectors that have gone through the integration process in recent years, such as healthcare and higher education, can provide important lessons on how to manage successful institutional mergers.
Although it is clear that the government has many competing priorities, the importance of universities and the huge benefits they bring to the UK means that the government should take this case very seriously to provide emergency support.
How Covid-19 Pandemic has affected UK Universities and Students
As students returned to university in the autumn term, there was a focus on ensuring that they were able to continue with their studies safely during the pandemic. However, there are a number of questions about what impact the pandemic has had on students. These questions include understanding the prevalence of COVID-19 among students, factors that increase the risk of transmission and the impact of the pandemic on the well-being and mental health of students.
Since the pandemic situation emerged, students maintained the safety measures like keeping at least two-meter distance from people, avoid having guests or visitors, wishing hands and using sanitizers. During the winter break, some the students planned to return their home while others intended to stay at the university accommodation to stop spreading the virus. During the lockdown period university studies mainly involve desk based learning; for example, self-studying on online learning with a tutor or lecturer.
This situation affected students’ mental health after a certain time. They met with loneliness and soon after became despondent as the time passed. Students found online classes are rather exasperating and distracting. With all these effects, it has become very compulsory to re-open physical classes.
Study in UK and Coronavirus Updates from ACADEMIC EDUCATION
– UK Leading Way in Vaccine Rollout
The COVID-19 vaccine roll-out in the UK is amongst the best in the world. The UK is expected to be one of the first countries in the world to be fully vaccinated, meaning September 2021 entry will be safe for students and staff.
– International Student Vaccine Priority in the UK
International and EU students in the UK will be able to access the various vaccinations available as they are rolled out across the country, meaning you may receive the vaccine quicker in the UK than your home country and will be protected when returning home.
– UK Universities to Cover Quarantine Costs
For international students who need to complete a period of quarantine in managed hotel accommodation, a number of UK universities have announced they will reimburse the 10-day hotel quarantine and testing fees, up to the total value of £1,750. See below for further details or speak to an SI-UK London consultant to learn more.
– Traffic Light System for International Travel
The UK government has announced details of new Covid travel rules that allow safe travel from several countries to the UK.
Travelers from countries rated green will not need to isolate on arrival to the UK; they will simply need to take a Covid test before and after their trip. Arrivals from amber countries will need to quarantine on arrival to the UK, while the strictest rules apply to the red-list countries.
– Face-to-face Teaching
Face-to-face teaching has now resumed in the UK. University campus’ and residences are also currently open as normal as the UK continues to move out of its final lockdown.
– September 2021 Entry
The UK government published its Covid-19 roadmap in February 2021 and, ahead of the next main student intake in September 2021, UK universities are processing international UCAS applications as normal and traditional study and learning is expected to return.
