UK universities have been welcoming thousands of Chinese students on charter flights as they seek to overcome travel restrictions and bolster their income amid the pandemic.

COVID-19 restrictions are causing difficulties at universities in the UK and despite a rising number of students in self-isolation, a massive effort is under way to bring in students from China.

Officials at the Chinese Embassy in Manchester are helping by securing government permissions and permits, as well as liaising with airlines.

Consul Lyu Xiaomei at China's Manchester Embassy told CGTN the charter flights keep the students separated from the general traveling public, making them safer.

"We put the safety of the students first," she said. "As a government, we want to address the Chinese parents' concerns, to mitigate, to minimize, the risks in the best possible way.

"But we are happy to note, that when university vice-chancellors wrote to us, they kept reiterating that they would take even stricter pandemic controls, they would not just follow UK government guidelines, COVID-19 guidelines – and they have.   

"Each university, has taken, or they've pledged to take, very draconian measures to contain the spread on campus when students arrive."

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The determination of Chinese students to make the journey possibly underlines the enduring appeal of a British education. However, they are a little nervous.

They are arriving, suitcase in hand, for the start of an academic year like no other.

A survey by the UK's University of Bath revealed thousands struggled to make the journey.

"For us, it's all about ensuring our students could arrive safely and, obviously, particularly for our Chinese students," said Lilly Rumsey, director of international relations at the University of Bath.

"In June, we noticed that there were a limited number of commercial flights coming from China to the UK and not only was there a limited volume of commercial flights, the cost was becoming prohibitive for our students.

"So, we needed to ensure we could get students to arrive at the university as well as ensuring that there's provision for students who can't come to campus and charter flights proved to be the way."

But a concentration of people is a danger for the spread of the virus and at the University of Bath alone there are 18,000 undergraduates and postgraduates.

For Chinese students, just out of their teens and a long way from home, the excitement of a new adventure is tinged with nerves.

In Bath, 22-year-old student Yang Mingyu, said: "Yes, I am a bit nervous. This is my first time studying abroad. It's a new environment with new friends and COVID-19 makes me a little nervous … but I'm also very excited about studying here."

Once on site, the new students are quarantined before exploring what will be their home for the next three years.

The place is full of directions on how to avoid close contact. Even lectures will be a blend of online and face-to-face learning.

"I tell the students not to be nervous and enjoy the life here and enjoy the UK and its culture," said Lu Zhexuan, chair of the Bath Chinese Students Association.

"So, COVID-19 is not everything. It is not all your life, you have to be relaxed."

In a worrying development, thousands of students at universities around Britain are now being confined to their halls of residence after multiple outbreaks of the coronavirus.

At least 33 universities in the UK now have confirmed cases of COVID-19 and another one has suspected cases.

More than 717 coronavirus cases have been identified among students and staff since universities reopened, according to data collected by Britain's Sky News up to 27 September.

For those young people setting out on the next big adventure in their lives, it's a stark reminder of what could be in store.

Check out our new six-part podcast series Notes on a Pandemic as CGTN Europe finds out how business, science and people have risen to the challenge of COVID-19.