Brexit change plans, pandemic and uncertainty: fewer young people choose abroad, Lithuania will feel the positive effect

The cost of studies is not for everyone

Until now, the choice of most young Lithuanians who wanted to study abroad was UK universities, but 2021 is the first year that foreigners no longer have the opportunity to receive a loan to study at UK universities. United.

According to Jeffimov, prices for a year of study at UK universities start at £ 9,250, depending on the program and the university, and can range from £ 13,000 to £ 15,000, some of which must be paid in advance.

“When a person submits an application form to the University of England and if they receive an admission letter, a deposit is required, which will generally be 50% tuition fees. Only after paying the deposit will they be able to apply for a visa from student and travel to England on a student visa. If you do not pay the deposit, you will not receive a visa. Also, upon arrival, you will have to pay for the second part of the first year of studies “, says A. Jefimovas about the challenges facing Lithuanians who wish to enter UK universities.

There is much less interest in studying in the UK.

The director of Kastu International points out that there are still a number of students who are not aware of the changes that have occurred since Brexit.

“Those who are now are basically those who have preset (preliminary resident – 15 minutes) status, that is, they had already lived in England for some time or their parents had lived in England, had visited them during the summer, had stayed for a while. And they have that preset status, which guarantees them the opportunity to receive a student loan, ”says A. Yefimov.

The drop is very significant and large, says Yefimov.

The main stage of admission to UK universities lasted until January 29 this year. – It’s over. Although the exact data on how many Lithuanians entered UK universities will be known in a few weeks, the trend is already being felt.

“The drop is very significant and large,” says Yefimov, “until January 29 this year.” we have 76 percent. fewer questionnaires wishing to enter the UK compared to 2019 ”. However, it emphasizes that Kastu International does not specialize in the UK market, so its information reflects general sentiment, but the statistics provided by UCAS may be slightly different.

However, the decline in the number of people wanting to study in the UK is already partly reflected in the statistics. Those wishing to study medicine in the UK, as well as Oxford and Cambridge Universities, must submit questionnaires by 15 October. According to UCAS, 60 questionnaires have been sent to the aforementioned universities and medical studies starting in 2021. From 2012 to 2020, that number ranged between 110 and 130.

The paths open to the best institutions

According to Yefimov, those who are nevertheless willing to pay money to study in the UK now have a much wider selection of universities and study programs.

“The fact is that the number of students throughout the European Union will drop very sharply. And if it was more difficult to apply, get into the best universities in England, there was a lot of competition for a place, now almost all English universities will feel that decline.

Therefore, a person with a slightly lower degree has already attended and entered the best universities and there is a high probability that he will be accepted, because there simply will not be that many new entrants, ”says A. Jefimov.

The fact is that the number of students throughout the European Union will be drastically reduced, – says Yefimov.

The gaze turns to other countries

According to A. Jeffimov, when studies in the UK become unpopular for the most part, the part of the young goes to other European countries: Denmark and the Netherlands. According to the head of Kastu International, the organization’s consultants note a greater interest in studying in these countries.

It also has the support of the president of LMS S.Aškinytė. “Many graduates are now thinking of other alternatives, European countries, where the studies are free, but also of relatively high quality. We can assume that graduates will choose not only the UK, as was customary in the past, but also another country, maybe a Scandinavian country, maybe the Netherlands, ”he says.

Lithuanian universities will also be affected

Already in 2020, a higher number of people wishing to study in Lithuania was observed. According to data from LAMA BPO, last year the agreement with Lithuanian universities was concluded for 11.7 thousand. people. In 2019, this number was one thousand less – 10.6 thousand, similarly to 2018 – 10.8 thousand.

Both A.Jefimovas and S.Aškinytė agree that such an increase in the number of students in Lithuania is related to the pandemic.

According to the director of Kastu International, foreign universities have also been negatively affected by the pandemic.

“Last year, as much as we interacted with universities, the vast majority said they felt a drop in the number of international students, but it was about 10 percent, about 12 percent, about 8 percent. Drop in compared to last year. Some joined, they had to come, but they didn’t come, “says Yefimov.

Both A. Jefimovas and S. Aškinytė believe that this year there will be more students in Lithuanian universities again than usual, and the influence of Brexit will also contribute to this.

“I do not rule out the possibility that Lithuanian universities will also feel a positive impact, because people who planned to study in England cannot afford it now, it will benefit Lithuanian universities, there will be more students who want to study here,” “says A. Jefimov.

“Those graduates who have planned to study in the UK are more likely to consider studying at Lithuanian universities and not going anywhere. We are really seeing this trend,” says the LMS President.

The future is shrouded in uncertainty

According to S. Aškinytė, President of LMS, both the pandemic and Brexit brought a lot of uncertainty into the lives of graduates. According to her, some graduates are reviewing their opportunities to study abroad. According to S.Aškinytė, some graduates are considering not stopping this year and choosing a year off, to observe how the global situation will change.

“You can really assume that so far there is a lot of discussion about the year off and during that time setting priorities, seeing where you are better and rethinking all decisions,” says the president of LMS.

According to S.Aškinytė, graduates are also intimidated by the fact that even after entering a foreign university, they can study remotely. According to her, it is still not the same experience that graduates who want to study abroad seek.

Uncertainty about how those sciences will be carried out, in what way and how, financing problems, Brexit, a pandemic, well, all this causes a lot of confusion and anxiety, says S.Aškinytė.

“Very often, when they join abroad, they also seek to become culturally familiar with another country, its traditions. If science were remote, not all expectations would be met.

That is why the uncertainty about how these sciences will develop, in what ways and how, financing issues, Brexit, the pandemic, all this causes a lot of confusion and anxiety, and that is why a large number of graduates think about studying. in Lithuania. This year, we believe that there will definitely be a higher proportion of those who will stay here in Lithuania and study at Lithuanian universities, ”says S.Aškinytė.

Hope is vaccination

According to Jefimov, although some young people fear the current situation and this may affect their willingness to submit membership forms, this year’s participants with the pandemic are already “alive”.

“Anyway, young people are much more daring than older ones. Students are less afraid of everything and do not attach much importance to these things,” says the director of Kastu International.

According to him, the situation should also improve due to the vaccination that has started in the world.

“We have received a letter from Denmark that they have until June 30. They plan to vaccinate the entire Danish population over 16 years of age. This is positive news and we can assume that from September the studies will be carried out normally and all students will receive training at universities ”, says A. Jefimov.