Latest information: UK lockdown | Apply with confidence | Study with confidence | Live with confidence
Last updated: 11 May 2021
We are here to help you stay on track and progress to your university degree as soon as possible, which is why we’ve answered some frequently asked questions for you.
On this page you can find:
On 22 February, the UK government announced its roadmap out of lockdown, which included plans for the re-opening of schools, colleges and universities. Most students at our UK colleges are continuing to study remotely online — from their accommodation or home country — for the time being, with the exception of those studying practical subjects, such as Art and Design or Pharmacy. Thanks to our digital learning offering — which has been used with great success throughout 2020 — students can continue their studies with confidence during this period, and prepare for their future university studies.
From 12 April, some lockdown restrictions have been eased in England, allowing shops to open, outdoor dining to restart and salons and barbers to open, among others. The easing of lockdown restrictions is planned to continue throughout the year. From 26 April, Scotland plans to re-enter its ‘tier’ system, allowing for slightly more classroom access for students.
From 17 May, England may see restrictions eased further, depending on the prevalence of the virus at the time. This will mean that some face-to-face teaching can resume for most students at a college in England. This will continue to be via blended learning, to enable colleges to follow social distancing and health and safety best practice.
See the lockdown rules for England on the gov.uk website, and for Scotland on the gov.scot website.
From the Autumn 2021 intake onwards, we plan to be offering in-person teaching at our UK colleges, with flexible blended learning and all necessary safety precautions in place if required.
We’re confident that you’ll be joining a rich and rewarding learning environment, with innovative, and now well-established, teaching methods in place to help you on your path to educational success.
We will of course be continuing to follow all UK government guidance as it progresses throughout the year. And, because we understand individuals still may face uncertainty in their own circumstances, we will continue to offer digital learning for part or all of your course, as needed.*
With flexible study options and robust learning and wellbeing solutions in place, Kaplan really does allow you to apply with confidence.
*Please note: this policy will be in place as long as it is permissible by UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI).
For our Spring and Summer intakes, we’ll continue to offer as much flexibility in our study options as possible. If you travel to the UK to study, you’ll receive all the support you need to live and study with confidence. During the national lockdown, your studies will take place online.
We’ll be following all appropriate guidance from the UK government, and working closely with our partner universities. By putting your wellbeing first, we’ll make sure you enjoy a rich and rewarding study experience in the UK.
For courses starting in June and July, we will be offering a face-to-face study option with blended learning at our colleges in England, assuming the UK government eases restrictions on 17 May in keeping with its roadmap out of lockdown.
If travel restrictions arising from the ongoing pandemic make it difficult for you to study with us in person in Spring or Summer, you’ll still be able to join us remotely from your home country. This ensures that nobody needs to miss out on a great education.
If you are due to come to the UK to start your course during the national lockdown, you can still do so if you wish and if your circumstances allow. We are organising socially distanced airport transfers to help you get directly to your UK accommodation safely and securely. Study will take place online for the duration of the lockdown, and will transition to blended learning once restrictions are lifted.
Since 18 January 2021, you need to present a negative coronavirus test result to enter the UK from abroad. The test must be taken no more than 72 hours before departure. You will also need to self-isolate for 10 days upon arrival.
You also need to take 2 coronavirus tests during your 10-day period of self-isolation.
If you are arriving in Scotland, your self-isolation period will need to be spent in a hotel booked by the Scottish government, and you will need to cover the cost of your stay.
Please note that some countries are on the UK government’s travel ban red list. If you have been in or through any of these countries in the previous 10 days before travelling, you will be refused entry to the UK. You can see the red list travel ban countries on the gov.uk website.
You can see the most up-to-date travel advice on the gov.uk website. If you’re travelling to Scotland, you should check the gov.scot website.
Alternatively, you can choose to start your course remotely from your home country with digital learning. Throughout 2020, digital learning was used with great success at all of our UK colleges, and our extensive experience delivering courses digitally means that you can study with confidence.
If you are due to travel to the UK to study later this year, you will be able to do so and join your studies with blended learning once lockdown restrictions have been lifted.
For our upcoming intakes, you can choose to start your course in person with blended learning, start remotely with digital learning, or even complete your course entirely online (subject to continued UKVI approval). Whichever option you choose, you’ll be able to keep your studies on track and feel fully ready to start your university degree.
These options will all continue to apply for the Autumn 2021 intake, and beyond.
Don’t put your dreams on hold. Apply to the UK with confidence, and we’ll help you shape your future.
Please note: completing your course remotely is subject to continued approval by UKVI.
Yes – you can still apply now and join us for a digital learning experience either in the UK or from your home country.
Currently, blended learning is not available if you are starting your studies during the UK’s national lockdown (with the exception of subjects such as Art and Design and Pharmacy from 8 March). As soon as restrictions are fully lifted, blended learning will be available again for more subjects.
You can start your course online and either transfer to face-to-face teaching in the UK when possible, or complete your course online if necessary.
Apply in the usual way using the online application form, and our expert staff, combined with our flexible admissions process, will help you on your path to university.
If you are already studying your pathway course, in most cases you should continue to study remotely online — from your accommodation or home country. However, if you are in the UK and studying a practical subject, such as Art and Design or Pharmacy, then you will be able to begin some face-to-face classes from mid-March, in accordance with the UK government’s guidelines.
Or, if your individual circumstances require you to come to the UK to study (travel restrictions permitting), our friendly advisers can support you.
From 26 April, Scotland plans to re-enter its ‘tier’ system, allowing for slightly more classroom access for students. From 17 May, England may see restrictions eased further, depending on the prevalence of the virus at the time. This will mean that some face-to-face teaching can resume for most students at a college in England. This will continue to be via blended learning, to enable colleges to follow social distancing and health and safety best practice.
Our academic and support services staff will continue to be available online, and since 8 March you are able to go into your College to access additional in-person support services if you are in the UK. We will continue to open up more face-to-face services and courses as the government’s plan progresses and in accordance with the guidance. See more about the plan to open up the UK at gov.uk
At the moment, our colleges are delivering teaching online (except for practical subjects such as Art and Design and Pharmacy, which have included face-to-face classes since 8 March). However, the UK government’s roadmap out of lockdown plans for the allowance of more face-to-face teaching in England from 17 May, depending on the prevalence of coronavirus in the UK at that time. The Scottish government plans to re-enter a ‘tier’ system from 26 April, which should allow for more classroom access for students
If this goes ahead, we will reinstate in-person learning for more students at our colleges when we are able, with blended learning and all suitable health and safety precautions in place. You can check the latest travel guidance on the gov.uk website. Of course, you can still study your course remotely with digital learning, and come to the UK at a later time.
You will continue to have all the support you need from the academic and student services staff at your college. A range of support services and activities will be held online, including for Welcome Week. During the national lockdown, students can contact staff at any time and they will make sure everyone is getting the support they need. More in-person support services have been made available for students in the UK since 8 March, and in-college support will continue to be expanded as lockdown restrictions are lifted.
Digital learning is a method of course delivery that takes place entirely online. It allows you to study your pathway course remotely from wherever you are in the world, using digital tools such as Zoom and Microsoft Teams. Find out more about digital learning.
Blended learning is a teaching method that incorporates elements of digital learning, such as remote, online studying, but also includes face-to-face classes that are delivered in person at our colleges in the UK. This mix, or blend, of digital and in-person learning allows you to experience studying abroad in the UK in as safe a way as possible, while improving your digital skills. Find out more about blended learning.
Please note: all teaching at our UK colleges is currently being delivered online due to UK national lockdown restrictions, except for practical subjects such as Art and Design or Pharmacy, which are offering face-to-face teaching.
If your education institution is closed, the good news is we can consider historical academic transcripts and other indicative documents from your school / university if you don’t have your latest full transcript for the current year. This does not currently apply to applicants to the Engineering and Physical Sciences Foundation Certificate at the University of Nottingham.
Just contact us if you have any questions, and we can advise you on what to send.
We recognise that it might not be possible to book a UKVI IELTS exam. We can therefore accept some alternative English language test scores for your UK pathway course.
You can take a look out our Accepted English Tests guide for further details of which English language tests are accepted for which courses.
Accepted English language tests may differ for some Pre-Sessional English courses. Please check the university websites for Pre-Sessional courses for the University of Essex and the University of York.
Contact our helpful advisers for more information, and we can guide you on your application.
We’re confident that blended learning will enable you to study in person safely and effectively. By coming to the UK, you can take advantage of interactive study in a carefully controlled environment, with the opportunity to meet teachers and other students in person. Though blended learning will involve remote study from your residence, face-to-face teaching will still be required for a certain number of hours to maximise the opportunities being in the UK provides.
New students starting a pathway course in Spring 2021 can find relevant enrolment periods outlined in the table below.
| College / course | Enrolment period for Spring 2021 |
|---|---|
| 2- term courses starting April 2021 | 19 April to 3 May |
| Other courses starting April 2021 | 19 April to 17 May |
Across many of our study centres, there are a number of undergraduate and postgraduate pathway courses available starting on 19 April, with enrolment open until early or mid-May.
If you cannot make the Spring 2021 intake, there are still course options for Summer 2021 that might be more suitable for you. Speak to an adviser for guidance on what you can study and when, to get the perfect study plan for you.
In many cases, thanks to flexible enrolment, it is possible to join a course later than its actual start date. If you do start your course later, the teaching and support staff at the college will help make sure you catch up, and don’t miss out on important lessons and course content.
For example, live classes are often recorded for you to access and review when it is convenient to do so. You’ll also have access to small group or individual catch ups with module tutors for your first few weeks as needed. Other measures may include making use of an Applied Learning Week, mock interview preparation and personalised time management sessions. This extra academic support will help you get up to speed.
Support for late-starting students is highly tailored to individual needs. If it is clear that you might need additional support in certain areas, for a longer period, or leading up to a particular exam or test, your tutors can arrange further sessions and other measures to help your academic development. Whenever you start your course, you can be confident that you’ll get the support you need.
The UK government implemented a national lockdown in January, which saw strict limitations on social activity and travel put in place. Earlier in the year, the government announced its roadmap out of lockdown, and is currently in the process of gradually easing lockdown restrictions. It is now possible to go to shops, eat and drink at outdoor venues, visit hairdressers and beauty salons and other establishments. Further restrictions will be lifted throughout the year, in line with the prevalence of the coronavirus in the UK.
You can see full details about the lockdown rules on the gov.uk website.
The UK has so far had one of the most successful vaccination programmes in the world. As of 1 May 2021, 34 million people in the country have received at least one vaccine dose. That’s more than half of the total UK population!
The UK government has a few different effective vaccines in supply, with the most common being the Pfizer or AstraZeneca vaccines. Social groups who are older or have a greater risk from the virus are being prioritised.
The strength of the vaccine rollout has already had a significant impact in the UK, with coronavirus cases and hospital admissions decreasing enormously since the start of 2021. This means that the government is currently on track to continue its roadmap out of lockdown, allowing the economy and society to gradually open back up.
It has been confirmed that international students in the UK will be included in the national vaccination programme. The vaccines are being delivered in a priority system, with the elderly and vulnerable being vaccinated first, and younger people and the least vulnerable last. The lower priority groups, which include most university students, will be able to receive a vaccine once the high priority groups have been vaccinated, and enough vaccines are available. You can find out more about the vaccine programme priority groups on the gov.uk website.
You can start your programme in the UK, however, due to the current national lockdown, you may need to begin your studies online. Once restrictions are lifted, blended learning, (a mixture of online and face-to-face learning) will resume.
Please note: our UK colleges are currently delivering all teaching online due to the UK national lockdown, but blended learning will resume after restrictions are lifted.
Blended learning is a mix of face-to-face teaching and online classes. It means that you’ll spend some time at the College for in-person lessons, and the rest of your learning will take place remotely using our digital learning solutions. Find out more about blended learning.
At our UK colleges, we’ll be implementing social distancing measures to ensure your safety. For example, we’ll reduce class sizes so that there are fewer students studying in person at a given time. We will also organise the timetable so that you are able to learn new concepts via engaging digital materials during your private study time, and then consolidate what you’ve learnt through valuable face-to-face support from tutors and classmates.
We can confirm that for the Autumn 2021 intake, the start date for issuing CAS for all our UK study centres is 4 May 2021.
The one exception is the University of Bristol International Foundation Programme, for which CAS for Autumn 2021 will start being issued from June 2021. The exact date will be confirmed soon.
In order to enrol at your chosen College in person, you’ll need to obtain a CAS. You will need all the usual required documentation. We will only issue you with a CAS if we are certain that the UK Visa Application Centres are open in your country, or will be within 2 weeks of you receiving your CAS. Once you have it, you can apply for your student visa.
You should apply for your Student visa as soon as you receive your CAS and it’s possible to do so in your country. You will not be penalised if you are delayed in travelling to the UK due to visa processing times.
If you have any general questions about the Student visa application process, please check our helpful visa advice page. You can also contact us and speak to one of our friendly, expert team members, or simply speak to your Kaplan representative. They’ll be happy to advise you and give you all the information you need.
If you’re due to start a course, you can book your accommodation now if you’re ready to. Alternatively, you can book later if that’s right for you; you don’t need to book accommodation until you’re sure you can join us in the UK.
We can advise you on your best course of action, and we will support you in finding suitable accommodation that’s safe and secure, wherever you’re studying. We’ll either walk you through our own accommodation options or, if this isn’t possible, we’ll refer you to trusted third party accommodation providers that we have worked with for many years.
We’ve introduced new flexible short-term accommodation contracts so you can decide when you want to arrive and how long you want to stay for (from a minimum of 6 full weeks), from April until the end of August 2021. Therefore, if you need to self-isolate you can build this into your stay.
Find out more about booking accommodation on our dedicated FAQs page.
We understand that circumstances may change depending on the situation in your home country. If you experience any difficulties obtaining your visa or travelling to the UK, please contact your Kaplan representative and we will advise on the best way for you to begin your course on time.
For courses taught by Kaplan, you can arrive up to 14 days before the start of your programme if you wish; however this is not compulsory. If you do need to self-isolate then you will be supported throughout this period. Please note that if you arrive in the UK during the national lockdown then you will need to study online until restrictions are lifted and colleges offer blended learning again.
If you’re studying a non-Kaplan taught course, you can navigate to relevant partner websites for more information here.
You can start your course digitally from your home country, and join us in-person as soon as our colleges are offering blended learning again – we’ll be ready to welcome you.
You won’t require a CAS in order to start your course online. Before you transfer from digital to blended learning during your pathway course, we’ll be in touch with you to help you prepare the documents you’ll need to get your CAS from us. This is a vital part of your UKVI Student visa application for coming to the UK to study in person.
You should apply for your Student visa as soon as you receive your CAS and it’s possible to do so in your country. You will not be penalised if you are delayed in travelling to the UK due to visa processing times.
If you have any general questions about the Student visa application process, please check our helpful visa advice page. You can also contact us and speak to one of our friendly, expert team members, or simply speak to your Kaplan representative. They’ll be happy to advise you and give you all the information you need.
Absolutely. If your circumstances allow, we would be delighted to welcome you to begin your course in the UK. Simply speak to your Kaplan representative and we give you all the information and guidance you need to prepare for your studies in the UK.
Please note that if you arrive in the UK during the national lockdown then you will need to study online until restrictions are lifted and colleges re-open.
You can transition to face-to-face teaching as soon as it is possible to apply for a visa in your country and travel to the UK. Contact your Kaplan representative and we will give you all the information and help you need to continue your studies in the UK.
Please note that if you arrive in the UK during the national lockdown then you will need to continue your studies online from your accommodation until restrictions are lifted and colleges re-open.
If you’re due to start a course online, you don’t need to book accommodation until you’re certain about when you can join us in the UK.
We can advise you on your best course of action, and we will support you in finding suitable accommodation that’s safe and secure, wherever you’re studying. We’ll either walk you through our own accommodation options or, if this isn’t possible, we’ll refer you to trusted third party accommodation providers that we have worked with for many years.
Find out more about booking accommodation on our dedicated FAQs page.
If you’re on a course taught by Kaplan, you can transfer from remote learning to blended learning in the UK at any time throughout your programme. We’ll help you make the transition, so that it’s easy and your studies aren’t affected.
Please note that if you arrive in the UK during the national lockdown then you will need to continue studying online from your accommodation until restrictions are lifted and colleges re-open.
If you’re studying a non-Kaplan taught course, you can navigate to relevant partner websites for more information here.
Yes, you’ll be given a reasonable amount of time off while you make arrangements. You can take part in asynchronous learning activities if your visa application and travel means missing classes. Remember to stay in touch with your college, especially if you’re going to be absent from classes.
If you’re studying a non-Kaplan taught course, you can navigate to relevant partner websites for more information here.
You can complete your entire pathway course online if that better suits your situation (subject to continued approval by UK Visas and Immigration).
Digital learning is method of course delivery that takes place entirely online. It allows you to study your pathway course remotely from wherever you are in the world, using digital tools such as Zoom and Microsoft Teams. Currently, digital learning is being used around the world so that students can continue with their education without having to travel. Find out more about digital learning.
You won’t require a CAS in order to start your course online; you’ll only need one if you decide to start online and transfer to face-to-face learning.
Whether you’re studying from your home country or from your room in the UK, you’ll have access to excellent support from your College Services team whenever you need it. You can contact them online and they’ll be happy to help you.
Currently, most learning at the University is taking place online, with some practical courses being taught in person, in keeping with the UK’s national lockdown restrictions. The International Foundation Programme will continue to be taught online for the remainder of this academic year, to help ensure the student community is kept safe and healthy.
The next available intake for the University of Bristol will be in Autumn 2021. For this intake, the University is planning to offer face-to-face teaching with blended learning, with all required health and safety precautions in place to ensure you can study in person with confidence. If, however, you are unable to travel to the UK at that time, online study options means that you can study your course remotely until you are able to travel.
Find the latest information on the University’s own website.
For students who started a course in September 2020, studies are now taking place online in keeping with the UK’s national lockdown restrictions.
For students who started their course in January 2021, studies are taking place online too. For all students, once national lockdown restrictions are eased, the University will evaluate when face-to-face teaching can resume.
Students’ engagement will be continuously monitored by their tutors. The University is confident that its considerable experience delivering digital learning will help ensure students continue to have a rich and rewarding experience.
Find out more on the University’s website.
Students already enrolled are continuing to study online for the time being. The University of York is expected to make a decision soon on whether it will reintroduce any face-to-face teaching this academic year for pathway courses.
The University of York International Pathway College has extensive experience providing students with an enriching and engaging digital learning experience, so you can be confident that you can succeed while studying online. Innovative ways for students to engage with one another, with their teachers and with recreational and extra-curricular activities are all in place, ensuring everyone can benefit from an enriching overall student experience.
For the September 2021 intake, the University of York International Pathway College is expecting to be delivering in-person teaching on campus with blended learning, adhering to all health and safety restrictions. If travel restrictions are still in place, or you are unable to join your course in person, digital learning options and study flexibility will be in place to ensure nobody misses out on their education. This includes the option to start and complete your pathway course entirely online, subject to continued UKVI approval.
For students who apply through Kaplan, the first intake for the University of Birmingham foundation pathways will be in September 2021. For the September intake, the University of Birmingham is preparing for different scenarios in light of the uncertainty caused by the pandemic. Safety of students and staff will be the University’s top priority.
The University is basing its September plans around flexibility, to ensure that all students can start and continue their studies, regardless of their individual situation. The semester will begin on the advertised dates, but with an extended welcome period for new students, to allow for any travel restrictions.
All teaching activity is planned to be on campus, as well as online as a back-up option. If you’re unable to arrive on campus straight away, you can start your course online. If travel disruption is still an ongoing issue, you can even continue to study online for as long as you need to. This flexibility means that you can apply for a foundation pathways programme with confidence.
You can monitor the latest advice on what learning will be like on the University of Birmingham’s website.
If you would like to take the 6- or 4- week UK University Ready programme, you should arrive in the UK in advance of the start of the programme to quarantine in a designated “quarantine” hotel, as required by government rules. You can then join the programme at the specified start date.
In this case, if you have arranged accommodation through Kaplan, the period of the accommodation charge will be reduced by the length of the quarantine duration up to a maximum of 10 days.
For example, if you wish to take a 6-week programme, and arrive early to complete the 10-day quarantine period in a hotel, you will be charged for 6 weeks of accommodation, minus the 10 days spent in quarantine. The same would apply for the 4-week course and the 2-week course.
You can see the UK government’s ‘red list’ of countries for international travel on the gov.uk website and the guidance to book your quarantine hotel package.
If you are arriving in England
You can arrive early at your accommodation (up to a maximum of 2 weeks early) so that you can complete the period of self-isolation before the start of your programme. You will not be charged for the period of time in self-isolation in Kaplan Accommodation before the commencement of the UK University Ready programme, but you should book this with Kaplan in advance of arrival.
If you have chosen to use a Supplementary Study option, allowed once you have your visa approved* to study the 2 week programme in Nottingham or Brighton, you can only arrive in the UK within 4 weeks of the start of your degree programme, so please check to make sure your arrival date, including the time you are on the UK University Ready programme, does not exceed this.
If you are arriving in England and have not been in a red list country in the last 10 days, you can see the latest UK government guidance on the gov.uk website.
If you are arriving in Scotland
You will need to quarantine in a designated “quarantine” hotel if you are travelling directly to Scotland; you can see the government’s guidance on the gov.scot website.
In this case, if you have arranged accommodation through Kaplan, the period of the accommodation charge will be reduced by the length of the quarantine duration, up to a maximum of 10 days.
If you do not need to self-isolate before starting your course, and you choose to arrive at your Kaplan-arranged accommodation in advance of the start of your course, you will be charged for the period from when you move into your accommodation to the beginning of the course.
*Supplementary Study can be taken in addition to your main course of study; you are allowed to undertake supplementary study (e.g.) short courses studied full-time during vacation periods. Supplementary study can be in any subject and does not have to relate to your main course of study. It may be taken at any time during the period of leave granted for your main course of study, including before, during or after the main course.
We hope you’ve found this information useful. If you are unsure of anything relating to your studies or your future plans with Kaplan Pathways, don’t hesitate to contact us or speak to your Kaplan representative. They’ll be happy to advise you and give you all the information you need.
