Updated guidance for new international students and students returning from overseas in New Year

By A Staff Reporter

LONDON Dec 19: UK government has updated its website providing guidance to international students and those students who are returning from overseas in the New Year.

“UK has left its borders open for both returning and new international students wishing to study in the UK, and the Higher Education providers are looking forward to welcoming them to campuses in the new year”, said the introduction.

In a guidance which was update on 14th December 2020 the government stated as below:

Students should:

Check with their HE provider in advance to confirm when face-to-face teaching begins

Check with their HE provider when they intend to arrive on campus so that they can be appropriately supported

Inform their provider if they have already booked travel for dates outside of their specified cohort date

The government has asked Higher Education providers to be as flexible as possible with international students travelling to the UK from overseas, especially if they have already booked travel before this guidance was issued.

Students will need to:

Complete a passenger locator form on arrival in the UK

Self-isolate in their accommodation for 10 days if arriving from a country which is not on the exemption (travel corridor) list

If self-isolating, students will need to:

Only use public transport if they have no other option

Follow safer travel guidance for passengers

Only leave their accommodation in limited circumstances and should follow guidance on how to self-isolate they travel to the UK (England only).

The government is working with the higher education sector to ensure that all students are welcomed to the UK and are supported on arrival by their chosen university. Universities UK has developed a checklist for providers to support students who are required to self-isolate to use as a guide in developing that support. This will be updated following the January return measures.

Further guidance is available on entering the UK.

Visas

International students considering study in the UK should be aware that visa concessions allow for the ongoing provision of online learning for the duration of the academic year 2020 to 2021. Many Higher Education providers are starting courses online.

Students will not be penalised for being unable to collect their Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) while coronavirus (COVID-19) measures are in place.

CLICK TO READ FULL GUIDANCE TO STUDENTS IN UK