How does COVID-19 Pandemic Affect Higher Education Abroad?

The COVID-19 pandemic has affected the higher education sector in many ways. If you are planning to do a student exchange or to enroll in a degree programme abroad, it is important that you follow developments closely - both in your home and your destination country. Here are some of the effects experts have already seen or expect to see in the coming weeks and months:

• No face-to-face teaching or exams: To reduce the spread of coronavirus, many universities have suspended any on-campus activities like lectures. Where possible, classes are being held online. Exams and thesis defences may be postponed or held in different formats, which may delay the award of degrees.
• Restrictions on immigration: Many countries are already restricting entry at their borders, and only nationals or permanent residents are allowed in unless there are important reasons. How this will affect foreign students in autumn 2020 is still unclear, but you should follow developments closely so you can plan ahead.
• Eligibility for admission: Actions taken against COVID-19 can impact education in a way that delays the award of high school diplomas or degrees. This in turn may mean that, when you apply for a study programme, you technically do not meet all requirements. It is possible that universities will adapt to this scenario because this will affect a large number of first-year students.
• Admission procedures and application deadlines: Because the pandemic is affecting not only teaching, but also administration and the eligibility of applicants, it is possible that universities will make changes to their admissions processes, and postpone application deadlines or semester start dates. Please check the website of your desired institution(s) regularly for any updates.

If you cannot meet eligibility criteria by the application deadline because of effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, please reach out to the admissions office of the university you want to apply to. It may be better to submit an incomplete application.

Impact of COVID-19 on higher education in Europe

To limit the spread of coronavirus, the EU has shut its external borders for entry by non-EU citizens, unless considered “essential travel”.

Austria

• Teaching and other activities at universities in Austria are conducted remotely as much as possible. (Details: studyinaustria.at)
• There has not been any announcement regarding application deadlines and entry examinations for the winter semester.

Denmark

• On March 13, Denmark imposed a country-wide lockdown that includes suspension of teaching at universities. The Ministry of Higher Education and Science plans that all higher education programmes should reopen for regular teaching in early June. (Details: ufm.dk)
• Land borders and airports have been closed until further notice.

Finland

• Many universities in Finland are moving teaching from classrooms to online solutions for the time being.

France

• The French government has placed the country under a restrictive lockdown. Starting 17 March, people are asked to not leave their house unless absolutely necessary. (Details: TheLocal.fr)
• Universities in France have been closed until further notice. (Details in French: etudiant.gouv.fr)
• No announcement has been made regarding university application deadlines for the autumn semester. Changes may be decided by universities themselves.

Germany

• Starting 16 March, the German government has imposed (and later tightened) restrictions affecting all non-essential activities. These have subsequently been loosened and are now being administered inpidually in each of the federal states.
• Universities in Germany postponed the start of teaching for the summer semester from 1 April to late April or early May, depending on which state they are located in.
• As of late May, some universities are in the process of resuming face-to-face activities on a small scale, while retaining online teaching to a large extent.
• Classes in the winter semester are to start later than usual, on 1 Nov 2020. Applications for Bachelors programmes are supposed to be moved in response to delayed final high school exams, but no specific announcement has been made for Masters programmes. (Details: KMK)

Ireland

• Ireland has initiated reduction of pandemic-related restrictions.
• Students who have lost their job as a result of the pandemic might be eligible for financial help in Ireland’s “Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment” scheme. (Details: ICOS)

Italy

• Universities in Italy suspended teaching already in early March.
• No announcement has been made regarding university application deadlines for the autumn semester.

Netherlands

• Universities in the Netherlands have been asked by the government to reduce face-to-face teaching and replace it with online solutions as much as possible. (Details: government.nl)
• No announcement has been made regarding university application deadlines for the autumn semester. Delays are expected for visa procedures for international students starting later this year. (Details: nuffic.nl)

Russia

• Russia has enacted lockdown measures to limit the spread of infection.
• No announcement has been made regarding application deadlines of universities in Russia for the autumn semester. Deadlines are usually not before July.

Spain

• On March 14, the Spanish government declared a state of emergency and placed the country in lockdown, currently at least until 11 April. Universities in Spain are currently closed.

Sweden

• Universities in Sweden have been asked to move teaching from classrooms to online solutions.
• Applications for autumn 2020 already closed in January. Admissions results are expected to be published along the usual timeline, on 3 April for Masters and 20 April for Bachelors. (Details: studyinsweden.se)
• There will not be any exceptions to application, document or fee deadlines. With questions about submitting their (potentially delayed) final transcripts & diplomas, tuition fee payments, autumn semester start date, accommodation and insurance, students are supposed to contact their university. (Details: universityadmissions.se)

Switzerland

• Initial lockdown measures at universities in Switzerland are being lifted in line with federal regulations. (Details: swissuniversities.ch)

United Kingdom

• Many universities across the United Kingdom have limited or completely suspended face-to-face teaching.
• The UK Council for International Student Affairs has compiled its guidance for international students in the UK: ukcisa.org.uk
• For international students currently in the UK and unable to return, the UK government has announced a visa extension. (Details: gov.uk)
• Some universities have decided to begin in autumn 2020 with online teaching. You should inquire with your university if this affects your study programme.
• British universities commonly accept applications for Masters programmes on a rolling basis without deadlines. Please check with your desired institutions directly to see if and how COVID-19 might affect application procedures.