Is it a bit risky for English students to apply for Scottish unis in Covid times(as regards travel)?

3asyp33l3r · 2021-11-07T12:33:16+00:00

Just wondering if ds could be at risk from not being able to attend new terms as stats go up abd down. How did it pan out for English students studying there during the pandemic?

AChickenCalledDaal · 07/11/2021 12:41

DD is an English student studying at St Andrews - now second year. They spent the second half of their first year studying from home. The Scottish travel restrictions did allow travel for education, and for moving house, at that time. But the university told students to study at home, so that's what they did.

My impression is that students at English universities were able to return more easily, but that might be partly because DD is highly rule orientated and didn't return even when others did. They might well have done the same if they'd been at university in England.

Bratnews · 07/11/2021 13:08

I don’t think travel restrictions will be reintroduced. Worth looking at the amount of in person teaching for subjects being applied for, it varies significantly by university and by subject.

ClerkMaxwell · 07/11/2021 13:19

I doubt Scottish unis will go back to asking students to stay at home again like they did last December. Edinburgh have very much being giving the message that they want students on campus. DD saying they plan to allow lectures up to 100 students next term if covid rates remain stable.

MarchingFrogs · 07/11/2021 16:12

Surely not really any more risky than applying to Cardiff / Swansea / Bangor etc, or QUB / Ulster? Each of the 4 nations sets its own rules and Wales at least seems to be getting interested in 'strengthening' NPIs again (presumably on the grounds that if they're not working, just do them more).

ecceromani · 07/11/2021 18:36

Education was always a permitted reason to travel.
However be aware the Scot Gov instructed all universities and colleges to operate on 1m social distancing which effectively puts many classes online.
It depends very much on the subject but if it's a "large lecture heavy" subject then they may find it's as much as 75% online.
I know 2 kids doing college courses which are still 100% online this year.
There is no indication of when Scot Gov likely to lift this instruction.

Darbs76 · 07/11/2021 22:04

My son has applied for 2 Scottish Uni’s - St Andrews and Edinburgh. I think travel for education has always been allowed once uni’s went back.

AChickenCalledDaal · 08/11/2021 08:03

Just be aware that although it's true that education has always been a permitted reason for travel, that becomes more difficult to argue if your specific university has told you not to come back and to study online. That was the position DD was in, which kept her at home for half of last year.

But I do agree that it seems very unlikely that we'll get back into that sort of position. St Andrews has been one of the most cautious institutions and they have just told students that they are planning further increases in face to face teaching - including some larger lectures - after Christmas.

TizerorFizz · 08/11/2021 08:47

USA would be more risky!

Lottie4 · 08/11/2021 15:18

DD at Edinburgh.

The students could stay on during lockdown in first year uni accommodation, but she and many others decided they wanted to get home to their family. DD ordered boxes, got her stuff into storage and booked on a train home within 24 hours. Everything went online immediately.

She went back in the September 2020, but her accommodation wasn't working out, so came back home just on 31 Oct(just before restrictions came back in). The army were actually at Edinburgh station asking some people about their movements as they were ahead of us with their restrictions, she told them she was going back to her family home and they let her go through and get the train. Two of her flat mates followed her as they had the same issues, but all her other friends stayed.

All her friends went back in September, many are international and had no problem. She's actually doing her year abroad- easier to get into that country than coming home who require a negative test.

LIZS · 08/11/2021 15:23

Dd had an extended stay here last Christmas but returned end January having consulted her tutor even though everything for her course was still virtual. This semester has been much better for contact and socialising , although some restrictions n numbers and distance still apply. Many of her friends are international and some had to quarantine on arrival in September but most not.

CardiffMom · 08/11/2021 15:32

DD studies in Cardiff. It wasn't at all easy for students last year as although they were allowed to stay in uni accom, they weren't allowed (under Welsh Gov rules) to travel backwards and forwards between Wales and England - and yes, people did get challenged at stations etc. This meant for some very long gaps when we couldn't see her, however homesick she was and even when our much loved family dog died.

Hopefully the travel restrictions won't return but it is something to consider; could add another layer of complexity to an already difficult situation of being away from home for the first time in a pandemic.

Aurea · 08/11/2021 16:52

I live in Scotland have a DC at an English university. Virtually all of my DC's friends are studying at Scottish unis (as they are Scottish).

Edinburgh and St As have very strictly followed Covid guidance and most students were studying at home online for most of the year (even when my DC went back to his English uni). Other Scottish unis appeared to be a little more flexible. I have heard negative things about how Edinburgh and St As students were very restricted in what they could do both academically and socially and many of them left to go home or else stayed and went stir crazy.

The Scottish government has take a much stricter view towards covid restrictions and I would be surprised if this didn't continue. All secondary schools have been wearing masks full time for well over a year with no respite. Masks are still required in all shops and cinemas. Check out how the restrictions differ between Scotland and England and you will get my drift........

ZZTopGuitarSolo · 09/11/2021 03:59

@TizerorFizz

USA would be more risky!

The USA started allowing students from the UK to come in on student visas back in August 2020. I think actually what was tough for them was that their families couldn't come and visit them - until the borders reopened today.

TizerorFizz · 09/11/2021 07:40

@ZZTopGuitarSolo
Well yes. It was a flippant remark but if DC wasn’t well it would have been tough! Much more difficult than Scotland.,

Gardenia22 · 09/11/2021 11:54

My dd is also at Edinburgh and as others have said, travel for education purposes was always allowed. I agree that the Scottish Unis seem a little stricter regarding covid measures eg still lots of online lectures.

@Lottie4 where is your dd doing her year abroad? My dd is looking at the options for going abroad next year.

ZZTopGuitarSolo · 09/11/2021 12:37

[quote TizerorFizz]@ZZTopGuitarSolo
Well yes. It was a flippant remark but if DC wasn’t well it would have been tough! Much more difficult than Scotland.,[/quote]
Oh yes, I agree. I am in the US and saw this happen in reverse too - several friends have kids at uni in the UK and really struggled when their kids got sick so far away. You just want to be there with them don’t you?

Lottie4 · 09/11/2021 14:53

Gardenia22 - She actually in Germany. She loves it out there and says the standard of teaching is far better than Edinburgh(!) and also her Sixth Form school (she ended up at a private school on a scholarship). Any questions, please PM me. A visa isn't required for Germany, so that makes it easier. However, you need to be vaccinated and have a Ghic to apply for a Residence Permit (which is done after arrival).

Gardenia22 · 09/11/2021 19:57

Lottie4, it's great to hear that your dd is enjoying her time in Germany and that the teaching is good! I might try to PM you as my dd is also considering Germany (Mannheim) as part of her subject specific exchange. I'll need to work out how though - can you pm via the app?

Newgirls · 12/11/2021 12:55

@Aurea

I live in Scotland have a DC at an English university. Virtually all of my DC's friends are studying at Scottish unis (as they are Scottish).

Edinburgh and St As have very strictly followed Covid guidance and most students were studying at home online for most of the year (even when my DC went back to his English uni). Other Scottish unis appeared to be a little more flexible. I have heard negative things about how Edinburgh and St As students were very restricted in what they could do both academically and socially and many of them left to go home or else stayed and went stir crazy.

The Scottish government has take a much stricter view towards covid restrictions and I would be surprised if this didn't continue. All secondary schools have been wearing masks full time for well over a year with no respite. Masks are still required in all shops and cinemas. Check out how the restrictions differ between Scotland and England and you will get my drift........

I echo all of this

St A and Edin were very strict. And heavily unionised which I think has been a real factor in decisions around face to face teaching.

Having said that surely Sept will be very different?