Student FAQs

Email from the Vice Chancellor to all students - 5 January 2021

Remember to check the FAQ section below for the most up-to-date information.

Dear student

Yesterday evening HM Government announced an immediate national ‘lockdown’ in England in response to the continuing sharp rise in Covid-19 cases, hospitalisations and deaths nationally. The accompanying guidance includes a key section for universities, which reads:

‘Higher Education provision will remain online until mid-February for all except future critical worker courses.’

‘Future critical workers’ are defined by the government as students who are studying a course that leads to a professional qualification in health, education or social work. At Worcester, the following courses are included:

• Midwifery
• Nursing
• Occupational Therapy
• Paramedic Science
• Physician Associate
• Physiotherapy
• Postgraduate Certificate in Education (Primary and Secondary)
• Primary Initial Teacher Education
• Social Work (Undergraduate and Postgraduate)

If you are studying on one of these courses, then you should continue with your mix of online and in-person learning. Placements are also expected to continue and we are working with our education and health partners to review the arrangements.

If your course is not listed above, then you should do your best to remain wherever you are at the moment and continue your studies online. The new guidance means that the previously planned period of online learning will continue for a few further weeks, until at least the middle of February.

Supporting you on campus and online

The University campus and the vast majority of buildings will remain open to support students in residence and the many thousands of students who are following the courses listed above. The Covid-secure measures that are already in place, which are fully in line with the government guidance, will continue to provide a positive, secure learning environment for students and staff.

Whatever course you are studying, and whether you are online or in-person, the University is here to support you. If you are struggling in any way, please get in touch with us at firstpoint@worc.ac.uk Firstpoint can refer you to a range of resources or help you make an appointment with a member of the Counselling and Mental Health Team. We also offer TALKWORC, a 24 hour text line for confidential help and support in a crisis. Text 'TALKWORC’ to 85258 at any time to access this service.

If you are currently away from the campus, but wish to return because of vulnerability in any way, whether arising from hardship, difficult personal circumstances or because studying is problematic due to your current practical situation, you always are welcome to return, regardless of the course that you are studying. The Peirson Study and Guidance Centre and the Hive Library will be open to all students who need them.

Covid-19 testing for students returning to campus

Rapid ‘lateral flow’ Covid-testing is now available and encouraged for all students who are returning to campus. These tests are designed for people without symptoms and will help identify and isolate most positive cases early, which will help minimise the transmission of the virus. You can find out more and book your free test on our website. 

All-student meeting on Friday

I know that there will be many practical questions in the days and weeks ahead.  This is a rapidly changing situation and we will write to you with further information over the next few days. Please continue to check your emails and refer to the Coronavirus FAQ pages, where we will always publish the latest updates.

Senior Pro Vice Chancellor Ross Renton will also give an update at a virtual all-student meeting this Friday (8 January) at 12 noon.  Ross will discuss the latest guidance and what it means for students at the University. There will also be an opportunity to submit your own questions during the meeting. The meeting will be broadcast live via a special YouTube link, which will be shared in an email tomorrow.

All of us at the University want to do what we can to Save Lives and Protect the NHS. We are very aware of the pressures on hospitals in the region and across the country and the tragic increase in deaths.

Last term, students and staff at the University were so highly responsible that we had one of the very highest in-person teaching rates nationally at 58% with one of the very lowest Covid-19 infection rates – just 5% of the student average and 1/3^rd of the national average for all citizens. This is a real credit to everyone involved!

The new vaccines are highly effective and are starting to protect hundreds of thousands more people every day. This makes it even more essential than ever that we all continue to follow the guidance, practice social distancing, take care of ourselves and each other and work together to defeat the virus.

With all best wishes,

Professor David Green CBE
Vice Chancellor and Chief Executive
University of Worcester

Which courses are currently continuing with in-person teaching? (UPDATED - 15 JANUARY)

The current guidance from HM Government includes a key section for universities, which reads:

‘Higher Education provision will remain online until mid-February for all except future critical worker courses.’

‘Future critical workers’ are defined by the government as students who are studying a course that leads to a professional qualification in health, education or social work. The list also includes courses which require Professional, Statutory and Regulatory Body (PSRB) assessments and/or mandatory activity.

At Worcester, the following courses are included:

All pathways, levels and cohorts

• Health and Social Care
• Midwifery
• Nursing
• Occupational Therapy
• Paramedic Science
• Physician Associate
• Physiotherapy
• Postgraduate Certificate in Education (Primary and Secondary)
• Primary Initial Teacher Education
• Social Work (Undergraduate and Postgraduate)
• Sports Therapy

For selected modules only (BIOS1400, BIOS3401,BIOS3002)

• Biomedical Science
• Human Biology
• Human Nutrition

If you are studying on one of these courses, then you should continue with your mix of online and in-person learning. Placements are also expected to continue and we are working with our education and health partners to review the arrangements.

The University campus and the majority of buildings will remain open to support students who are studying in-person. The Covid-secure measures that are already in place, which are fully in line with the government guidance, will continue to provide a positive, secure learning environment for students and staff.

Who can I contact for support?

As always, your first point of contact for support should be the Firstpoint team.

The health and wellbeing of our students and staff is our top priority. We recognise that many students may face additional mental health challenges over the coming period.

If you are struggling with your mental health at this time, you can access support through specialist support services: https://www2.worc.ac.uk/counselling/ . To arrange an initial STAR (Support, Triage, Advise, Referral) appointment with a member of the Counselling and Mental Health Team contact firstpoint.  We also offer TALKWORC, a 24 hour text line - text TALKWORC to 85258 for confidential help and support in a crisis

You can also access support via the NHS and online resources from Public Health England, along with support from mental health charity Mind. The Student Space platform bridges gaps in support for students arising from this unprecedented situation and is designed to work alongside these existing services. Further sources of information and support are Every Mind Matters for adults, and Young Minds for young people.

My course is one of those which will continue face-to-face teaching during lockdown. Do I have to take a Covid-19 test before I can return to campus?

In a similar way to the end of last term, all students will be able to book a Covid-19 ‘lateral flow test’, which will help you know if you have the virus, even if you do not have symptoms.  We have partnered with Public Health Worcester to offer a ‘rapid testing’ facility, located in the Riverside Building at the Severn Campus. The test centre will be available on a voluntary basis if you're a University of Worcester student with no Covid-19 symptoms. Visit our Testing pages to find out more and book your test.

I am returning to my student house in Worcester, but there is already someone self-isolating in the property. What should I do? (NEW - 6 JANUARY)

You should avoiding returning to your student house if a housemate is already self-isolating in the property due to a positive Covid-19 test. If you do wish to return before your housemate completes their 10 day self-isolation, you will be required to self-isolate for 10 days from when you come into contact with them. If you are a student on a course that requires placements, you should contact your Personal Academic Tutor or placement for guidance. 

How do I access IT support for online learning?

You may wish to refer to this helpful IT guide, which reminds you of the available online learning tools.

Is there any financial support available if I need to buy additional IT equipment for online learning?

The University’s Access to Learning Fund has continued to support eligible students in need of extra financial support throughout the pandemic, including those needing help with the cost of IT equipment for remote working.

Now, to make it even easier for you to apply for this support, extra funds have been made available. Under this new initiative within the Access to Learning Fund, applications for help with these IT costs will be fast-tracked and take the form of credit to your Reach account. Please see https://www2.worc.ac.uk/moneyadvice/815.htm for details and the shortened application form for the Access to Learning Fund Technology Awards. A flyer of additional information is also available.

Will assessments be online?

As previously outlined, all scheduled exams will be held online during the week beginning 11 January. You will be notified of your exam timetable in the usual way through your SOLE Page.

If you have difficulties accessing the internet at home, please contact your Course Leader as soon as possible, to see if we can assist. Exceptionally, we may be able to arrange for you to complete your online exam on campus. 

I am a research student, how does the new lockdown impact on me? (NEW - 15 JANUARY)

We expect most research students will continue their research from home. You will continue to have remote access to library and other resources and details of how you access these resources remotely are set out here:  https://www2.worc.ac.uk/it/documents/studying-at-home.pdf. You should also check Library Service FAQs for more information on this: https://libraryfaqs.worc.ac.uk/faq/240825.

We know a small number of students will need access to specialist facilities or equipment on campus, such as labs. You will continue to have access to these facilities subject to an appropriate risk assessment based on your activity but also on your health – we need to take account of any health conditions you may have in the risk assessment. You should liaise with your Director of Studies in the first instance if you need access to specialist facilities or equipment. We will always ensure that your working environment is Covid-secure.

Where you are unable to work from home due to issues with your IT at home or any other factors (such as your mental health), you will still be able to access workspace (and associated IT) on campus (including the Hive) in a Covid-secure way. You can find details of how to book a PC here: Book a PC - Information & Communication Technology - University of Worcester. Currently, the Research Student Space in Jenny Lind, which you do not need to book, remains open but unsupervised; we will communicate if this changes.

We expect all supervision to be “virtual” and not face-to-face. You can find guidance on virtual supervision in the Covid-19 tab of our Research Degree Programmes Blackboard pages.

All taught elements of research degree programmes and all researcher development workshops will continue to be offered online.

How will the move to online learning affect my assessments?

Over the past year, we have adapted the curriculum to ensure that we give you the best possible learning experience. This means that we have designed our teaching and assessments to recognise that you are working remotely, or might not have access to normal facilities, or won’t be able to sit in physical examination halls.

When designing our teaching, learning and assessment for Academic Year 2020-21, we anticipated that there might be national ‘lockdown’ and this has meant students and staff are well prepared for the current situation. Every subject area and every course have been reviewed. Staff have re-reviewed their course assessment strategy and worked extremely hard to ensure that, where necessary, alternative adapted assessments are in place to test the learning outcomes, reflecting any changes to teaching and learning and/or the need for assessments to be conducted online.  This has meant, for example, some unseen examinations have been changed to open book examinations, or group presentations have been changed to individual presentations. We will do the same for Semester 2 assessments.   

What arrangements are there for examinations?

Examinations in January were held online through Blackboard, with an additional 30 minutes allowed for downloading and submitting your work. Students who did not have reliable internet access, limited access to a computer or didn’t have suitable space in which to sit an examination, were able to use a computer on campus, in a Covid-secure environment. We are reviewing the situation and will be able to apply this successful approach to examinations in May and July if needed. We will let you know more about this in the next few weeks.

I am worried about resources and data collection for my final year/postgraduate dissertation or project. What should I do?

Most dissertations or research projects will be unaffected by the move to online teaching. However, if you have any concerns about access to facilities or data collection, please contact your supervisor and Course Leader straightaway, so that they can discuss options with you. You may, for example, be able to revise your topic to a more desk-based study, or ask for an extension to the submission date.

The Hive and Peirson Building have remained open for students who do not have access to study space and the University has a very extensive online resource of journals and e-books, which are available remotely. The Library staff will be happy to help you with accessing these resources, if you need help: https://library.worc.ac.uk/

Can I request an extension for my dissertation?

You may request a short extension for the submission of your dissertation/project, using the new online process through SOLE.  This is available for any student who has experienced unforeseen significant difficulties, including for matters related to Covid-19.

If you are unable to access facilities or collect data for your final year dissertation or project, you must contact your supervisor as quickly as possible. Your supervisor will be able to discuss possible options with you, which may include a later submission date, in exceptional circumstances.  

What happens if I am ill with Covid-19 and have to submit an assessment?

Covid-19 might affect your studies in a number of different ways – you might be ill yourself, you might need to self-isolate, you might find that your mental health is being affected by lockdown restrictions, or you might have significant caring responsibilities.

If this is having a significant impact on your ability to study or complete assessments, you can apply for Mitigating Circumstances, in the usual way. Our Mitigating Circumstances processes are designed to support you through events that are sudden, highly disruptive and beyond your control.  

Are there particular arrangements in place to support parents and guardians?

If you are a parent or guardian, you may have been particularly impacted by additional caring/home-schooling responsibilities during the latest national lockdown. If this has caused significant difficulties with your assessments since 4 January, you can submit a claim for mitigating circumstances. You’ll need to support your claim with evidence such as an email from your child’s school notifying you of a closure.

Do I need to provide a GP’s note for mitigating circumstances?

As always, students are expected to provide evidence. If you have had to self-isolate, you will simply need to present a Covid-19 test result or a notification to self-isolate and will not need to request additional certification from a GP. If you have had mental health issues, which have significantly impacted your assessments, you can provide evidence from the University’s Counselling Service, or your own counsellor or GP.

You will still need to request a note for illnesses that are not related to Covid-19.

Can I submit a mitigating circumstances claim for assessments which I have taken since 4th January 2021?

Yes, exceptionally we will allow you to submit a mitigating circumstances claim for any assessment submitted since 4^th January 2021. This includes examinations. However, you must submit your claim by Wednesday 27 January 2021. Any claims received after that date relating to retrospective assessments will not be accepted.

Will my grade be capped if I fail an assignment and have to re-submit?

Exceptionally, this academic year, if you submit an assessment by the due date and achieve a fail grade at your first attempt, you will automatically be granted a reassessment opportunity and the grade will not be capped in the normal way.

This will apply retrospectively for the whole academic year. 

Is there a no detriment policy at Worcester?

In addition to the exceptional measures put in place this academic year, our approach to degree classification already builds in a safety net, which helps protect you from underperforming in any one year. 

We do not include your first-year module marks in your final degree classification. In addition, for the majority of students, we use two different methods to work out overall marks, and calculate which of these two methods would give the best possible degree classification. You can find out more about degree classifications in this helpful guide produced by the Students’ Union.

Our ongoing, fair and genuinely inclusive means of calculating a degree classification means that, even before this crisis, we have sought to ensure that students do not suffer from unexpectedly underperforming at either level 5 or level 6. Many other universities do not routinely adopt this approach, or are using this approach as the basis of their ‘no-detriment’ policy.

I have further questions. Who should I ask?

If your questions are related to your studies, you should speak to your course leader, dissertation supervisor or personal academic tutor.

If you need help accessing well-being support, or are concerned about financial problems, please get in touch with firstpoint@worc.ac.uk  

Can I continue to live in halls of residence?

Yes.

We would like to reassure you that our accommodation will remain open throughout the lockdown. If you are already on campus and are living in University-managed accommodation, you can continue to do so.

Takeaway food is available from the canteen on the St John’s campus and the Campus Shop is open. You can access study facilities in the Peirson Building and in the Hive Library, which is open specifically for students.

Our team, including Accommodation Services, Student Services and Security are all here on campus to support you. If you have an urgent matter, please get in touch with our Security Team 24/7 on 01905 855000 or email security@worc.ac.uk.

If you are in any immediate financial difficulties please get in touch with us at firstpoint@worc.ac.uk, as we may be able to support you through the University’s Covid-19 Emergency fund.

If you haven’t already done so, please email us at accommodation@worc.ac.uk to let us know you are on campus.

I am currently at home. Can I move back to my University accommodation?

The Government's national lockdown restrictions mean that you should not return to your term-time accommodation unless special circumstances apply.

The main special circumstances are:

Your course is a ‘critical worker course’ leading to qualification as a health or teaching professional or a very small number of other courses.  

And/or

Your mental health or safety is being negatively affected by your current residence and you believe that it would help your situation to move back to your accommodation in Worcester.

You are able to make one journey to return to the University if your course currently requires in-person teaching or a placement, but you should not travel back and forth between two households during the lockdown.

If your course is not listed under ‘What courses are currently continuing with in-person teaching’ above, then you should do your best to remain wherever you are at the moment and continue your studies online. The new guidance means that the previously planned period of online learning will continue for a further period, until at least the middle of February.

If you are currently away from the campus, but wish to return because of vulnerability in any way, whether arising from hardship, difficult personal circumstances or because studying is problematic due to your current practical situation, you are always welcome to return, regardless of the course that you are studying.  If this applies to you, please get in touch with us at accommodation@worc.ac.uk to let us know that you are planning to return. 

I am at home at the moment. Can I return to collect some things from my University accommodation?

Under the latest Government restrictions, travelling to Worcester or the University to collect your belongings is not advisable. This could put yourself and others at risk. Please contact the Accommodation team if there is an essential reason you need to travel to collect your belongings (to retrieve medical equipment, for example).

You can leave your belongings in your accommodation and collect them once the current restrictions have been lifted and you will not be charged to do this. Any perishable food items (i.e. things likely to spoil, decay or become unsafe to consume before the lockdown review date in mid-February) will either be donated to a local food bank or disposed of in the appropriate way. If, in the unlikely situation that your room is urgently needed for another purpose, we will discuss this with you in advance and arrange for your belongings to be safely stored elsewhere.

I live in University owned or University-managed accommodation, but cannot live there at the moment due to the national lockdown. Can I have a refund?

If you live in Halls on campus or in University-managed accommodation off campus and are not able to live in your university-managed/owned accommodation due to the latest national lockdown, you will be able to apply for a full, 100% rental charge reduction for your residential accommodation fee during this ‘lockdown’ period. The reduction will cover the period from when it began on 5 January, until the lockdown ends assuming that you have not been in residence for any part of the period. It will be credited to you by the University at the time when your next rental payment would normally be due by adjusting your Direct Debit, recurring card payment or other payment method.

We will email all students living in University-managed accommodation with details of how to apply for the reduction shortly.

In the meantime, it is important that you do not cancel your payment plan or direct debit – any future instalments will be adjusted accordingly.

I didn’t know that there would be a reduction, so I cancelled my Direct Debit / recurring card payment or my contract. Can I change my mind?

Yes.

If you have already cancelled your contract or Direct Debit / recurring card payment, but now wish to apply for the rent reduction instead so that you have the option returning to your accommodation if lockdown eases, please get in touch with the accommodation team as soon as possible at so that we make all the necessary arrangements with you. 

I continue to live in University accommodation but can’t afford my rent. What should I do?

If you are struggling financially please contact firstpoint@worc.ac.uk straight away as we may be able to help you through the University’s Covid-18 Emergency Fund. Do not cancel your direct debit / recurring card payment. 

I normally live in private rented accommodation but am not living there at present due to Covid-19. Do I have to pay the rent?

Contact your landlord as soon as possible. The published government advice states that as part of the national effort to respond to the Covid-19 outbreak, it is important that landlords offer support and understanding to tenants whose circumstances may have changed.

An early conversation can help both you and your landlord to agree a plan. This can include reaching a temporary agreement to accept a lower level of rent, or agree a plan to pay off arrears at a later date. If a plan is agreed, then it is important that both you and the landlord stick to this plan.

If you are in immediate financial difficulties please get in touch with us at  firstpoint@worc.ac.uk, as we may be able to support you through the University’s Covid-19 Emergency fund.

What are the symptoms of Covid-19?

The latest advice from the Government includes the following symptoms for Covid-19:

• a high temperature
• a new cough where you keep on coughing. This means coughing a lot for more than an hour or three or more episodes of coughing in a day
• Losing or there being a change to your sense of smell or taste

I don’t have a thermometer. How do I know if I have a temperature?

The most common symptoms associated with a fever are feeling hot or flushed, chills, body aches, sweating, dehydration, and weakness. If you're experiencing one or more of these symptoms, and you feel warm to the touch, it's likely that you have a fever.

If you are a resident in University accommodation, Security will be able to provide you with a thermometer, please email Security@worc.ac.uk or call on 01905 855000.

What should I do if I have symptoms, or someone in my household has symptoms?

If you have any coronavirus symptoms, even if you feel well, you must return to your current place of residence and stay there for 10 days or until you have received a negative test result. You should report your absence as soon as possible via your SOLE page.

You should not attempt to return to your family home unless that is where you are currently residing.  If you are residing in student accommodation that is where you must remain for your isolation period.

You should also not:

• Go to lectures
• Visit friends or family
• Go to work
• Mix with others in any social setting or at home
• Go shopping

Do not go to a GP surgery, pharmacy or hospital unless it is an emergency. 

In an emergency dial 999

Book a test as soon as possible. To do this visit the NHS website or call 119.

Students living in the same flat or house as you will also need to self-isolate, just as any household would, until you have the results of your test. If you test positive you will all need to continue to isolate in line with the guidance you receive from Public Health or from the University.

If you test negative, and you feel well, you can return to your studies and student life.

Find out more about when to self-isolate and what to do on the NHS website.

Please don’t be tempted to carry on as normal if you have a symptom or have been told to isolate.

How does testing work?

You can get a free NHS test today to check if you have coronavirus. 

You can have a test (swab test) to check if you have coronavirus (Covid-19) now. You can choose to take the test:

• at a test site near you today and get your result tomorrow
• with a home test kit

Who do I need to tell if I have symptoms, if I test positive for Covid-19, or if I am told to self isolate by NHS Test and Trace?

It’s really important that you let us know at the University if you think you may have Covid-19 or have tested positive for Covid-19, so that we can support you and help you manage your studies.

It’s equally important that you let us know if you have been told to self-isolate because you have been in contact with someone who has tested positive, even if you don’t have any symptoms.

Get in touch with us as soon as possible by logging on to your SOLE page. You’ll find a link at the left of the screen, called 'Report Absence'. This link will take you through to a simple form, which will collect some important information. If your situation changes you will need to return to this link and ensure that it is updated.

If you live in on-campus Halls or University managed accommodation your details will be sent to the Accommodation and Security teams. These teams will check in to see whether you need help getting supplies or other practical support and advice. Students living with you in the same flat or house will also need to self-isolate, just as any household would, and should also report this on their SOLE page.

If you test positive for Covid-19, the NHS Test and Trace service will contact you. This service helps trace close recent contacts of anyone who tests positive for coronavirus and, if necessary, notifies them that they must self-isolate at home to help stop the spread of the virus. They will work with you, and with Student Services, to help identify any contacts who need to be notified.

What happens when I report an absence that is Covid-19 related?

By reporting a Covid-19 related absence through your SOLE page your Personal Academic Tutor and Course Leader will be informed that you will be unable to attend face to face teaching or placements while you are self-isolation, and they will record this as an authorised absence.  If you feel well, you should continue to attend online lectures and seminars, and complete any assignments that are due.

If you are informing us of a positive test for Covid-19 we are required to share that information with Public Health. You will then be contacted by Public Health and Student Services who are working together to ensure you and any close contacts are given the correct advice to isolate promptly, to keep you, them and our community safe.

If you are living in University Managed Accommodation the Accommodation and Security teams will be informed that you are self-isolating. They will be able to assist if you need help with the practicalities of self-isolation like receiving deliveries.

I am an international student who is expecting to start a taught course in January. Should I still come to the UK?

UK government advice is that you should not travel at present.  You should still register as a student with University of Worcester and you must start your course online with the rest of the cohort.  It is very important that you do engage with your course and attend all online sessions; your attendance and engagement will be monitored. If you appear to be disengaging, and don’t respond to attempts to contact you, we will withdraw you from the course and inform the UKVI that you are no longer a student with University of Worcester.

Your mandatory induction will start online on Thursday 21^st January and teaching begins on Monday 25^th January.

I'm a University of Worcester student. Can I go back to my home country and study online until the return of blended learning? (UPDATED - 8 JANUARY)

The UK government advice is against all unnecessary travel and some travel bans are currently in place to and from the United Kingdom.  If you did return home during the lockdown, you would still be expected to return to the University of Worcester once blended teaching resumes.  You must consider carefully a number of factors including:

• The risk of taking the virus home with you
• The possibility of being stranded in your home country if restrictions change and prevent your journey back to the University of Worcester
• You may need to be tested on departure and arrival at your own expense
• You may need to self-isolate twice

Please read carefully the government guidelines on international travel in this link:

National lockdown: Stay at Home - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

I’ve been told that I need to self-isolate. Do I need to inform the University? (NEW - 8 JANUARY)

It’s important that you let us know if you have been told to self-isolate because you have recently arrived in the UK, or for any other reason.

Get in touch with us as soon as possible by logging on to your SOLE page. You’ll find a link at the left of the screen, called 'Report Absence'. This link will take you through to a simple form, which will collect some important information. If your situation changes you will need to return to this link and ensure that it is updated.

If you live in on-campus Halls or University managed accommodation your details will be sent to the Accommodation and Security teams. These teams will check in to see whether you need help getting supplies or other practical support and advice. Students living with you in the same flat or house will also need to self-isolate, just as any household would, and should also report this on their SOLE page.

If you test positive for Covid-19, the NHS Test and Trace service will contact you. This service helps trace close recent contacts of anyone who tests positive for coronavirus and, if necessary, notifies them that they must self-isolate at home to help stop the spread of the virus. They will work with you, and with Student Services, to help identify any contacts who need to be notified.

I went home for the Christmas break. My course is resuming face-to-face teaching but I cannot currently book a flight. Can I study online? - (UPDATED - 15 JANUARY)

If you are studying Health and Social Care, Midwifery, Nursing, Occupational Therapy, Paramedic Science, Physician Associate, Physiotherapy, Postgraduate Certificate in Education (Primary and Secondary), Primary Initial Teacher Education, Social Work (Undergraduate and Postgraduate), Sports Therapy or (for modules BIOS1400, BIOS3401, BIOS3002 only) Biomedical Science, Human Biology or Human Nutrition and you are unable to return to the University of Worcester, you should contact your Personal Academic Tutor or Course Leader at once and tell them about your situation. They may be able to help you keep up with online materials or postpone the practical elements of your course.

Students in all other subject areas will be taught online throughout the national lockdown.

Please keep monitoring your emails as the University will be in touch with you when more information and updates are available.

I am an exchange student. I have already booked my flight to arrive in January. Should I still come?

UK government advice is that you should not travel at present. If you are already on your way, you may continue your journey but please be aware that you will need to go into self-isolation for 10 days on arrival and that you will only be studying online until mid-February at the earliest.  You should consider postponing your flight and either:

• Studying online from home OR
• Deferring until September or next January – if your home institution will allow it

My internet connection in my home country is poor. How can I study effectively online from home?

If you are a registered student with the University of Worcester you may be able to go to a co-operating university, library or other hotspot anywhere in the world and access EDUROAM https://www.eduroam.org/

The internet connection and working conditions in my private accommodation are not always adequate for successful study. Can I to travel to the University to use the Hive and other facilities? (UPDATED - 15 JANUARY)

All classes will be online unless you are studying Health and Social Care, Midwifery, Nursing, Occupational Therapy, Paramedic Science, Physician Associate, Physiotherapy, Postgraduate Certificate in Education (Primary and Secondary), Primary Initial Teacher Education, Social Work (Undergraduate and Postgraduate), Sports Therapy or (for modules BIOS1400, BIOS3401, BIOS3002 only) Biomedical Science, Human Biology or Human Nutrition.

If you are not on one of those courses, you should study online from home. If this is not possible for a valid reason, you may be allowed to travel in to use University facilities but only when it is absolutely necessary. Travelling should be kept to a minimum.

The university Coronavirus Hardship Fund may be able to help you if you do not have adequate equipment to access your online courses.  Please contact Firstpoint (firstpoint@worc.ac.uk) to find out how to apply.

The Peirson Study and Guidance Centre and the Hive Library will be open to all students who need them.

I am an EU/EEA student and returned home for the Christmas Break. My course will be online, but I haven’t applied for pre-settled status. Will that cause a problem when I return?

The deadline to submit an application for pre-settled status is the 30^th June 2021 and you can apply from within the UK or from abroad. You will need to provide at least one document dated within the last 6 months to prove your residence in the UK so providing you have this you will still be able to make an application if you haven’t already done so.

I am a current international student living in private rented accommodation. I have lost my part time job because of lockdown and I will struggle to pay my rent. Is the University able to help me? (NEW - 8 JANUARY)

For any students who are struggling to meet their living costs, we would encourage them to apply for the Corona Virus Hardship Fund. You can access this fund by contacting Firstpoint (firstpoint@worc.ac.uk ) who will show you how you can apply.

For those students who are in University managed accommodation, please refer to the answer above.

I am a current international student living alone as my flatmates didn’t come back to the UK after the Christmas break. Am I allowed to form a support bubble if I struggle with loneliness? (NEW - 8 JANUARY)

Please contact the Accommodation Office on accommodation@worc.ac.uk or visit the Accommodation Hub on St John’s campus.  You may be able to move to a different flat temporarily so that you have company.  You can also join a support bubble with another household, you can find the guidance here: Making a support bubble with another household - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

If you feel you are struggling with your wellbeing, please get in touch with Firstpoint (firstpoint@worc.ac.uk) and they will be able to direct you to the appropriate service.

I am an international student and I am currently in my home country studying online. Will I need to get a negative test to enter the UK once the lockdown is lifted? (NEW - 8 JANUARY)

The UK government has announced that all travellers to England will need to test negative for Coronavirus before they are allowed to enter the country by air, rail or sea.  We have not yet received official notification of when this will start or how long it will last.

you should refer to the latest guidance and ask your travel agent to advise.

I am confused about whether or not I should use the Test and Release scheme by booking a PCR test before I fly to UK. If I don’t, will I still need to take a test when I finish my self-isolation period? (NEW - 8 JANUARY)

The Test and Release scheme allows you to shorten your 10 day self- isolation period by taking a PCR test five days after your arrival.  You should be aware that this can be expensive (£120 +) and that the results may not reach you for up to 3 days. This means that even if you take the test and the results are negative, you will be in self isolation for up to 8 days.  If you choose not to opt for the Test and Release scheme you will self-isolate for 10 days.  At the end of that period, the guidance states that you do not need to take a further LFT test (Lateral Flow Test) in order to return to campus.

 

I was expecting to start my course / exchange semester in January but I have been strongly advised not to come to the UK until the University returns to blended learning. I had booked university managed accommodation and paid a deposit - can you tell me if I will be charged for rent from the start of the semester? (NEW - 8 JANUARY)

Please do not worry.  The Accommodation Office is aware that you have been advised not to come.  You have a choice:  you can ask for your deposit to be returned and then re book accommodation once you know your return date OR you can leave your deposit with Accommodation Office and your original booking will be held for you.  Either way, you can be sure that you will have accommodation with us and you will only be charged from the date on which you enter your room.

I am an international student with a Student Visa to enter the UK. I have been strongly advised not to travel to the UK until blended learning resumes and restrictions are lifted but I am concerned about my BRP (Biometric Residence Permit). Will I lose it if I don’t pick it up from the Collection Point within 10 days as it says in my letter from UKVI? (NEW - 8 JANUARY)

When you receive your visa, your entry vignette should be valid for 90 days. If your BRP collection point is the University, then we will keep your BRP until you have arrived in the UK and have been able to collect it. If your BRP collection point is a Post Office, then they will keep your BRP for 90 days. Once you arrive in the UK you will need to complete any mandatory self-isolation before collecting your BRP whether it is from the Post Office or the University. Due to Covid-19, you are not currently required to collect your BRP within 10 working days of arriving in the UK, so you will not be penalised if it takes you longer than expected to collect your BRP.

What if my 90-day vignette expires before I can travel to the UK? (NEW - 8 JANUARY)

Replacement vignettes were previously being issued free of charge up until the 31^st December 2020. Unfortunately, this service is no longer available and UKVI have indicated that they do not intend to renew it. Anyone who cannot travel before their vignette expires will need to apply for a replacement using the online form and will need to pay a fee of £154. For anyone whose vignette will expire before they can travel, it is strongly advised that you do not apply for a replacement unless you are confident you can travel to the UK. We will continue to check for updates in the meantime and will update this section should any advice change.

I am a current international student and I am about to return to the UK as my flight is already booked and I am unable to change or cancel it. What should I do on my return to the University of Worcester? (NEW - 8 JANUARY)

You should come directly to the university by the most direct means possible, observing all the usual precautions (face mask, social distancing, hand sanitising).  Once you have arrived you will need to start your 10-day self-isolation period. 

Plese get in touch with us as soon as possible by logging on to your SOLE page. You’ll find a link at the left of the screen, called 'Report Absence'. This link will take you through to a simple form, which will collect some important information. If your situation changes you will need to return to this link and ensure that it is updated.

If you live in on-campus Halls or University managed accommodation your details will be sent to the Accommodation and Security teams. These teams will check in to see whether you need help getting supplies or other practical support and advice. Students living with you in the same flat or house will also need to self-isolate, just as any household would, and should also report this on their SOLE page.

If you test positive for Covid-19, the NHS Test and Trace service will contact you. This service helps trace close recent contacts of anyone who tests positive for coronavirus and, if necessary, notifies them that they must self-isolate at home to help stop the spread of the virus. They will work with you, and with Student Services, to help identify any contacts who need to be notified.