Data Digest: March 2020

Welcome to Luminate's monthly summary of the key data and developments in higher education, careers services, graduate recruitment and the labour market

Due to the rapid developments that have occurred since the outbreak of COVID-19 this month's Data Digest focuses on news and information on the coronavirus and its effect on higher education and graduate recruitment.

News in Summary

• Prospects services and COVID-19 - we want to reassure you that your usual Prospects team is here to support you and we want to let you know what we're doing to respond to this unprecedented situation. We will continue to connect employers and recruiters with high-quality candidates and use all of our experience and labour market insight to adapt and to ensure that your campaigns deliver what you need. We understand that flexibility is vital during challenging times, so don’t feel restricted by whatever you have planned with us, it's probably a good time to talk to us about our tailored packages. [Luminate]
• Keeping emotionally fit for the long term – starting now - in these unprecedented times where many people are being asked to commit to considerable changes in their ways of working and living, it is important that we take steps to ensure that our mental health and emotional wellbeing are taken care of. Assuming that we may be observing social isolation measures for longer than the few weeks that we are currently committed to, Fran Longstaff gives advice on how to build long-term resilience.  [Wonkhe]  
• Unis must stop unconditional offers in virus confusion - because of the uncertainty that has arisen from the cancellation of this year's end of year exams, some universities are suspected to have begun to alter admissions procedures. However, Nicola Dandridge, chief executive of the Office for Students warns against this suggesting that it could be damaging to students, causing them to commit to courses which may not be in their best interest. [BBC News]  
• Employers move their assessment centres and face-to-face interviews online – despite the COVID-19 outbreak, employers are looking to continue their graduate recruitment process with only 31% cancelling assessment centres and 23% face-to-face interviews. The latest Institute of Student employers (ISE) survey found that most are adapting their hiring strategy and are moving to online assessments and telephone interviews. [Luminate] 
• Coronavirus self-isolating students and UK Tier 4 visa issues - responding to a petition signed by 100 international students concerned about the status of their Tier 4 visas while in self-isolation. The Home Office has confirmed that international students will not have their Tier 4 study visas revoked should they self-isolate amid the coronavirus outbreak, stating that 'the Home Office will not take any compliance action against students who are unable to attend their studies due to the coronavirus outbreak.' [workpermit.com]

Global Outlook

• 'Five year recovery period' predicted for global student mobility - according to Simon Marginson, director of the Centre for Global Higher Education, as universities grapple with the challenges created by the current coronavirus pandemic the mobility of international students could be greatly impacted. It's suggested that levels of mobility could take up to five years to recover.  [The Pie News]
• Coronavirus crisis may spell the end of an era for international education - the UK accounts for 10% of internationally mobile students across OECD and partner countries, and similar to other western countries, the UK benefits greatly from this. However, with the current pandemic having a huge impact on international education – especially in the southern hemisphere – these numbers are expected to decrease substantially. In this article, Salvatore Babones addresses the possible effects of the current Covid-19 outbreak on international education. [Times Higher Education]

Written by

Micha-Shannon Smith

Assistant information analyst

Prospects