Final cohort of EU students entitled to home fees and student loans pushes applications to highest number in recent years
Students are choosing to attend university, rather than defer entry due to COVID-19
Birkbeck, University of London, has experienced its highest recorded number of applications from EU students in recent years, ahead of the end of the Brexit transition period on 31 December 2020. This is believed to be because it is the last year in which EU students pay the same fees as domestic students and can obtain loans to cover the cost of their course for its duration. There is also little indication that large percentages of students from the UK or abroad will defer their entry to university because of COVID-19.
In advance of A-level results day this Thursday, Birkbeck has received a higher number of applications from EU students than last year, which saw the recruitment of EU students bounce back following a dip in numbers immediately after the EU referendum. Applications from EU students are up 2% on last year. Indications are that applications from EU students will continue to increase over the coming weeks, as students receive their exam results and apply through the UCAS 'clearing' process.
The boost in EU student numbers this year has helped to push overall applications to the College to its highest level in recent years. Whilst there is still some uncertainty across the higher education sector about whether students will choose to enrol for their courses or defer for future years because of COVID-19, Birkbeck is expecting to enrol a higher than usual number of students by October.
Lynn Grimes, Director of Marketing and External Relations said, "We're really pleased that our applications overall are at a record level this year and we're expecting them to be boosted further on A-level results day through the UCAS clearing process. Some EU students do not realise that they can continue to apply for university through the clearing system, just like other students.
"We're not expecting many students to defer their entry to the College. EU students are unlikely to do so because they wouldn't then be eligible for home fee status and loans for the duration of their course and students travelling from further afield seem to want to take up their places with us this year also. Domestic students are unlikely to defer because the traditional gap year activities such as travel and gaining work experience are likely to be restricted for the time being although our courses are taught in the evening, so they allow students to work during the day anyway, if they want to do so."
Birkbeck has written to all of its students explaining that the majority of its teaching, learning and student support services will be virtual during the Autumn term because of COVID-19. It has invested in developing a blend of high quality virtual and interactive classes, alongside a range of online learning resources for students. The College has also provided a guarantee that students who want to study virtually will be able to do so for the duration of the academic year, should they choose to do so.
For BA Modern Languages student Alessandro Poleschi, a native of Italy, results day brings memories of his application to Birkbeck via clearing in 2018.
Poleschi recalls the decision to apply to study at Birkbeck: "I didn't think about Clearing. I just thought, I have a plan and I have to look at the university that brings me as close as possible. It happened by chance. I had an offer at another university. I wanted to study Languages but the course there wasn't exactly what I wanted. I then looked at UCAS and I found the course at Birkbeck. I made the decision to go ahead with Birkbeck and I have to say it's the best choice ever. Birkbeck is great for so many reasons. For convenience and its people...Evening lectures are a life-saver.
"There's so much variety on campus. You see the coffee guy who's working a hospitality job to pay the bills while studying and you also have working mums and also people who already have a career who want to take back the dream they had and have 2-3 hours a day to dedicate to study."
To his EU peers, Poleschi has a particular word of encouragement, "If you're as motivated as I was, you can still take advantage of the home status. But I understand some people may wait because it's a huge investment to decide to study for three years. To them, I would say, even if the time comes and you don't have the same opportunities you have now, don't let it go. Don't let anyone get in the way of your dreams, projects and the person you want to be in the future."
Lynn Grimes, reinforces the message to prospective students from the EU: "There's still time for all students to apply to university – domestic, EU and international, whether they're studying full time or part time for first or second degrees. We're expecting it to be a busy period over the next few months because there really hasn't been a better time to come to university."
Further Information
Learn more about Clearing and how to apply to Birkbeck