International students are sure to be looking with interest at the UK’s A Level exams results, just released as usual, in the third week of August. So too, will homestay accommodation hosts who have spent the summer holidays preparing the spare room for receiving their student guest at the start of the new academic year.
More than 416,000 applicants were accepted into higher education through UCAS, however, the figures are a mixed bag. While the number of students accepted on A level results day is the second highest recorded, it is down by 2 per cent on last year. The reduction has been caused by a fall in acceptances from older students and fewer students from the European Union, the latter appearing to reflect uncertainty surrounding Brexit.
Prior to the Brexit referendum, the number of international applicants increased by 2 per cent. It’s disappointing to hear that the new intake of EU students this autumn is 26,090, a fall of 3 per cent compared to 2016. However, on the plus side, the figure is still the second highest recorded. Significantly, the number of international students accepted has increased by 4 per cent to 30,350, in line with predictions up until 2020.
What does this mean for international students with equivalent qualifications still looking to find a place in UK higher education? There are sure to be many who have been waiting patiently for the UK results and the availability of places. As a result, it’s more than likely that the search for accommodation has been put on the backburner.
Places still available on a wide range of courses
Traditionally, course providers at UK universities and colleges will accept equivalent qualifications, such as High School Graduation instead of GCSE. However, only a small number of qualifications gained in another country tend to accepted as being fully equivalent to A levels. A further difficulty is the new A level grading system, which once again, may place students with qualifications from abroad at a greater disadvantage.
In addition, there can still be the requirement for international students to have an extra, UK-based qualification, as well as High School results. And if English is not the first language, then universities will want a recognised English language qualification too.
However, as a result of this year’s reduction in acceptances, a large number of universities and FE colleges report places still available on a wide range of courses, and will want to fill the shortfall. So now is the time for international students to apply for a place on a course of higher study in the UK. It’s also the time to secure accommodation in the area where the university or college is located.
Unlike private landlords and high street agents it’s never too late to find a sufficient level of quality accommodation. The flexibility of a hosted solution is nothing less than essential for a wide range of courses now being offered, many of which are of differing length. International students will, however, be required to comply with strict deadlines imposed by a college application system.
Room hunting “rush hour” is still very much on
In a recent survey it was found that nearly a third (30 per cent) of students actually found their accommodation in August and September, while almost half of new students secured their accommodation in the late summer. Postgraduate students are also more likely to find a place during this period, while 2nd and 3rd year students tend to find their accommodation earlier in the year. Clearly, many still leave their search for a place to stay to the last moment. So despite the slight drop in application numbers this years, the room hunting “rush hour” is still very much on at this precise moment!
Whatever the student numbers, there is still a continuing chronic shortage of decent, affordable accommodation in key university cities, such as London, Manchester, Bristol, Oxford and Brighton. Around 75 per cent of students ended up up in debt over their deposits, letting agency fees and other initial costs, simply to secure the most basic of one bedroom flats, according to a recent report by the National Union of Students (NUS).
By contrast, homestay accommodation is most definitely intended for students. Staying with a host family takes much of the unwanted uncertainty and stress out of trying to find a secure and comfortable place to live while studying in the UK. Especially if a young student is going to be living away from home for the first time and likes the idea of a stepping stone, i.e. evening meals and your laundry done for you!
It’s also pretty handy for those individual students applying at the last minute. Have they been waiting to see if they have a chance of securing a place with their own set of results?