FAQs for Brighton students

As per Government advice, you should not be travelling. Only those students in one of the following subject areas, where face-to-face study is continuing, are permitted to travel:

• Clinical and health care
• Pharmacy
• Social work
• Initial Teacher Training

The government has advised that there are some circumstances, listed below, in which universities should arrange appropriate provision to support students in accessing facilities to support their online learning and to prevent isolation and mental health issues. However, students should not return to face-to-face teaching unless they study one of the practical courses identified above. These students should get tested as soon as they start accessing university facilities.

• International students who have remained in the UK and those who have arrived and do not have alternative accommodation
• Those who have remained in their university accommodation over the winter break
• Those who have returned to university accommodation in exceptional circumstances, for example because they are without access to appropriate study spaces or facilities in their vacation accommodation
• Those requiring additional support, including those with mental health and wellbeing issues
• Commuter students, on an exceptional basis where they are not in the first group of returners, who require access to university facilities to access online learning (for example because they do not have access to appropriate study spaces or facilities in their usual accommodation)
• Researchers and research students who require access to specialist facilities for their work. If research students can work from home, they are encouraged to do so.

University libraries  will be operating a click and collect service. Students who do not have appropriate study space at home will be able to access computer pool rooms, and we are seeking ways to ensure that study space in our libraries will also remain accessible. If you have concerns about access to suitable IT to support  your remote learning, please speak to your school. School specialist teaching facilities such as studios, laboratories and workshops will not be accessible unless advised otherwise by your school. A limited take-away food service with restricted opening hours will also be available on our campuses. 

Where placements are mandatory and cannot be rescheduled, these may continue. In these cases, the placement provider must have COVID-secure measures in place, be permitted to open based on the current national restrictions and be content for placements to continue.

Both Brighton and Hove and Eastbourne are currently included as part of a national lockdown in England. You can find further information on the restrictions on the gov.uk website. You should not travel to Brighton & Hove or Eastbourne unless you are on one of the courses or exemptions above. 

It is against the law to meet socially with family or friends unless they are part of your household or support bubble. You can only leave your home to exercise, and not for the purpose of recreation or leisure (e.g. a picnic or a social meeting). This should be limited to once per day, and you should not travel outside your local area. You can exercise with 1 person from another household.

Students with a university parking E-Permit who need to park on campus during the current period of lockdown can continue to do so for free. Those without an E-Permit can apply for free on-campus parking when needed during this period.

If you do not already have a valid E-Permit you will need to email centralparking@brighton.ac.uk in advance of your visit providing a car registration, date and time of visit and ensuring receipt of a confirmation mail before travelling to campus.

Parking at halls accommodation remains restricted to those with specific permission and arrangements at these locations will not change as a result of this announcement.

Please remember that you should only travel to campus if you have been advised to do so by the university and only where absolutely necessary in the course of your studies.

Terms and conditions remain in place for all car parks during this period.

Throughout this period, colleagues in our schools have worked hard to ensure that our students’ learning is not impacted by the pandemic, and they are continuing to do this now. Should you have particular concerns please speak to your course tutor. We will also be writing to you shortly about our approach to mitigating circumstances and would like to assure you that this has sufficient flexibility to consider specific circumstances in which you may feel that your academic outcomes have been impacted by COVID-19.

Please speak to your course leader to confirm the details relating to assessment.

All students received an email during the week commencing 14 December advising when their course would restart, and detailing the resumption of face-to-face teaching. Although face-to-face learning has subsequently changed, teaching dates remain valid.

There are two main types of test used to check if people currently have Coronavirus. Both types of test can be used on nose and throat swabs and saliva samples.

The first type looks for the virus’s genetic material, and this is the test currently deployed by the NHS through local testing sites, often known as a PCR test.

The second type looks for parts of the surface of the virus (antigen). This is a Lateral Flow Device test – or LFD. The test on offer to University of Brighton students is this type of test - also known as asymptomatic testing. This test is meant for people who do not show symptoms and who are not close contacts of confirmed cases.

LFD tests give results much more quickly. However, they are not as sensitive as tests offered through other channels (e.g. PCR tests).

All students who choose not to take the tests will be required to self-isolate immediately on arrival for the spring term. The exception to this is if you have already tested positive for COVID-19 in the previous 90 days, or if you have tested negative in your home town immediately prior to returning.

The Government has now confirmed, in a change to previous guidance, that all students who choose not to access testing on arrival at the university for the spring term will be required to self-isolate immediately for ten days upon arrival.

You can read more in our COVID-19 Self-isolation Guide (pdf).

Students are recommended to take two lateral flow tests with three clear days in between to pick up any case that was missed in the first round or newly developed cases. Sometime the viral load in non-symptomatic people takes a few days to show a positive result hence the suggested gap and two tests.

Two test centres will be available:

• Cockcroft
• Eastbourne campus

You can book your tests by clicking on one of the links above.

Please ensure you book your tests as close as possible to the date you intend to return to the university and in line with your course start date given to you by your school.

If you need to cancel, please do this through the online booking system and book again as though a brand-new booking.

No, please only use your own allocated slots. You will need to provide your student ID before going ahead with each test

Please ensure you’ve downloaded the NHS test and trace app. You will need to bring your student identification, along with a mask and be prepared to observe the usual safe practices around social distancing. Please also watch the video on our website to see what you will need to do to take the test.

No, all tests will need to be booked in advance. Please do not arrive without an appointment as you will be turned away.

The tests themselves, including registration, should take less than 15 minutes. After testing, you will be asked to leave the test centre and your results will be sent to you through the NHS app later that day.

Yes, you will need the NHS track and trace app to receive your results. Please download this in advance.

You can register for the service on a PC at the test site, and your result will be sent to you via email or SMS.

A two-hour, free parking window will be available at all test sites for those taking tests. Simply input your car registration details in the iPad available at the test centre when you sign in for your tests. Students who have a University Parking E-Permit will not need to take this action.

Our wellbeing services provide further details of the support available.

The university won’t see any personal information relating to your test registration or results. Further information can be found in the government’s coronavirus testing privacy information.

No, if you are tested regularly as part of your NHS placement there is no requirement for you to book asymptomatic tests with the university.

If you are an international student returning to Brighton from somewhere within the UK, yes you will need to book a university test in the same way.

If you are an international student returning from overseas you will not need to take a university test as per UK Government guidance, you will be required to self-isolate for 10 days on arrival in the UK. You may however, register for the Test to Release scheme. This allows for a test on the fifth day and release from the sixth day subject to a negative test.

Yes. All arrivals to the UK from overseas by plane, boat or train will need to self-isolate for ten days or sign up to the Test to Release scheme. The previous Travel Corridor scheme has been suspended so all students are now required to self-isolate.

You can sign up to the Test to Release scheme which you have to book before you travel. This allows you to pay for a private test from a government approved supplier where available. You will take the test 5 full days after you were last in a place that is not on the travel corridor list and if the result is negative you can release as soon as you receive the result. Note that the scheme uses the PCR test not the university lateral flow tests therefore the university tests are not recognised by the 'Test to Release' scheme.

If you opt to pay privately for a postal ‘Test to Release’ PCR test and receive a negative result you may shorten your ten-day period of isolation. The PCR test can only be taken after day 5 of isolation so we recommend you order a postal test to arrive at your university accommodation before you leave your home country as you will need to add the details to your Passenger Locator Form.

You can then use the test after day 5 of your self-isolation you will then need to post it back to the laboratory. The postal result can take a further few days to arrive back so may only give you a few days less in isolation. As Tier 5 Stay at Home restrictions are also in place for Brighton and Eastbourne we recommend you balance the benefit against the cost. Note the scheme uses the PCR test and not the lateral flow tests so the university tests will not be accepted by the scheme.

The UK Government announced that from 04:00 GMT on 18 January people arriving in England by plane, train or boat, including UK nationals, will have to take a test up to 72 hours before leaving the country they are in. If your pre-departure test is negative you will be permitted to travel. You must also still self-isolate for 10 days when you arrive. We expect more details to be announced clarifying which tests will be accepted.

You will also need to provide UK Border Force with your journey and contact details on a Passenger Locator form 48 hours or less before you arrive in the UK. You may be fined if you arrive at the border without having completed it. If you are registering for the Test to Release scheme you will need to provide the booking reference number of your test provider.

If you are travelling from Ireland, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man and you were there for 10 days or more you will not have to complete the form.

Once you have completed your 10-day period of isolation or received a negative Test to Release PCR test there is no need to take the university lateral flow test as you will have completed your self-isolation. If you have any face-to-face teaching sessions timetabled you must have completed your period of isolation before accessing any on campus services or teaching.

Even if you have tested positive for COVID-19 in the previous 90 days, or if you have tested negative in your home country immediately prior to returning you are still required to quarantine for a period of ten-days on arrival in the UK.

Please ensure that you have downloaded the NHS test and trace app before coming to the test centre. Once registered on site, an assistant will explain the process.

You will receive a test kit, a test card, and barcode. Scan the QR code on the test card and register.

You will go to an available booth, attach your barcode to the test, and self-administer the swab test.

Pass your completed swab test device to support staff for processing and leave the site with your copy of the barcode and test card. You will receive your result from the NHS via the app.

Please also watch the video on our website to see what you will need to do to take your tests.

Yes, support staff will be available to help throughout the process.

Yes, it’s important to wear a mask, regularly sanitise and socially distance. Please also follow the one-way systems that are in place.

No, due to the current safety restrictions. Please leave the test site as soon as possible after you have completed your test. You will receive your results from the NHS via text and email.

Lateral Flow Device tests or asymptomatic tests are highly specific, which means that only a small proportion of people who do not have coronavirus will receive a positive result (false positive).

Although they give a result much more quickly, LFD or asymptomatic tests are not as sensitive as tests offered through other channels (e.g. PCR tests available in other channels like Local Testing Sites). Sensitivity measures how likely a test will return a positive result when that person is infected. This is mitigated by testing people regularly, because the more times someone with the disease is tested, the more likely they are to be picked up by the test. This is why anyone taking the LTD or asymptomatic test are asked to take two tests.

You should receive your results a short time after taking each of your two tests. Please call the NHS Test and Trace Service on 119 if this is not the case. Your registration card which has your bar code and site ID on will allow the NHS to track your test data. If for any reason you are still not able to obtain your result you should rebook a new test via the university booking system.

If your first test is negative it is important that you still go ahead with your second test. It is important to abide by local restrictions around social gathering, and good practice guidelines during this time.

If you test positive you will need to book a confirmatory PCR test through the NHS test and trace app. Whilst waiting for that test you will need to self-isolate and if it is confirmed as positive you will need to remain isolating from the date of your positive notification for ten days.

If you receive a positive LFD test your housemates will need to isolate for ten days too, or until your PCR test comes back as negative. If your confirmatory PCR test is positive, they will need to continue isolating for a total of 10 days from this date.

If you have a positive PCR test please notify the university through the My Brighton app, so we can offer support during your isolation period.

If you test positive you should take a confirmatory PCR test which you will need to book via the NHS test and trace app. You will also have to self-isolate for 10 days or until you return a negative PCR test.

If you receive a positive LFD test your housemates will need to isolate immediately for ten days too, unless you return a negative PCR test.

If you have a positive test please notify the university through the My Brighton app, so we can offer support during your isolation period.

Yes, please refer to our self-isolation guide in the first instance, which shares links to our wellbeing resources.

Two negative test results mean you can go about your university life as normal, however, it is vital to continue following all government and local restrictions and guidance such as social distancing, wearing a mask where required and sanitising or washing your hands regularly.

If a member of your household tests positive for COVID-19 however, you will need to self-isolate for ten days.

The tests don’t guarantee that you would not catch the virus, but they do provide information to your status at the time of the test. So please do keep yourself and others that you care about safe by continuing to follow all of the COVID-19 guidelines.

Private transport is recommended wherever possible. If you have no other option than to use public transport, please strictly observe social distancing measures, wear a face covering and wash hands thoroughly and regularly during the journey.

Students should preferably use private transport wherever possible to minimise the risk of transmission to others when travelling, and only use public transport if you have no other option.

If travelling by car, you can reduce the risk of transmission by:

• Avoiding car sharing with anyone outside your household or support bubble
• Follow the Government’s safer travel guidance for passengers

Yes, either a family member or fellow student from your household or support bubble can pick you up in a private vehicle.

The person picking you up from your test will be allowed to park at the university for up to 30 minutes without charge. After this time standard parking restrictions and penalty notices will apply.

the Government is asking all students to follow the phased return outlined by their respective universities and to travel back for the Spring term as safely as possible, travelling by private transport if possible or travelling safely by public transport if you have no other option.

Public transport options

If you are unable to drive or be dropped off, please see the following advice and guidance on using public transport, as well as services and options available.

When using public transport, follow the government guidance for safe travel, where the key advice is:

• Do not travel if you feel unwell or have any symptoms of COVID-19
• Wear a face covering on public transport and in substantially enclosed areas of transport hubs
• Maintain social distancing when travelling where possible
• Wash/sanitise your hands before and after travelling
• Plan your journey beforehand, checking advice of your transport operators and allow time for changes
• If you can, travel at off-peak times and use quieter stations/ stops
• Buy tickets online or pay with contactless.

Trains and coaches

For train travel, the National Rail website can be used to plan and check your journey options, including how busy services are, and you are advised to view the latest advice from any rail operators you’ll be using on your journey. View the Coronavirus information from Southern on their webpages.

Save money on your train tickets using Trainsplit or invest in a Railcard. A Totum card also provides 10% when booking advance tickets with CrossCountry Trains.

National Express NEON university services

Publicly scheduled coach services will continue to be available.

You can save money on fares with the following discounts:

• 15% off with TOTUM card
• 15% off with UNIDAYS
• Young Persons Coachcard gives 1/3 off standard & fully flexible fares & is £12.50 for the year

Useful links

View all the advice on travel during the coronavirus pandemic on the government webpages:

• Student Movement Advice for the spring term
• Safe travel advice

We’re taking all necessary steps in line with government, public health and sector guidance, to ensure that our campuses are safe places to study, live and work. This includes requiring face coverings to be worn in some areas, implementing social distancing measures, NHS Test and Trace protocols, installing hand sanitiser stations and managing the numbers of students needing to be on campus and using facilities at any one time.

All students should continue to follow official guidance on maintaining social distancing, regular hand washing and the wearing of face coverings.

Students will be asked to arrive at the exact start time of their timetabled session to avoid over-crowding in university buildings.

You will need to make sure that you follow the directional signage, as some areas will have one-way systems in place. You will also need to be aware that some lifts will have limited access and so you may need to use the designated staircase to access higher level floors.

Once in your session, the room has been designed to be COVID-secure so please do not move chairs or furniture as this will impact on the social distancing requirements that are in place. (please also note that chairs should not be moved in communal spaces or catering outlets for the same reason).

Once your academic session has ended you will be asked to quickly vacate the area to allow others to enter the vicinity without causing over-crowding. Note, your way out may be a different route to the one you used to get to the room, as a result of our one-way systems.

Please remember at all times to respect social distancing requirements.

We have no current plans to do so and there is no requirement for temperature testing to be carried out.

If you think you have symptoms, follow these steps:

1. If you are on campus or out in public, put on a face covering if you can, keep 2m away from others and return to where you live (avoiding public transport if possible).
2. You will need to self-isolate straight away and refer yourself for a test via www.gov.uk/get-coronavirus-test
3. Call our helpdesk on 01273 642222 so we can find out when and where you’ve been on campus.
4. Tell your flatmates – anyone living with you is classed as your household and they will also need to self-isolate until you’ve been tested and received your result.
5. If you are living in halls, also tell the Residential Life team – they can support you and your flatmates with self-isolation.

If you test positive for COVID-19, we’re here to help. Just follow these important steps:

1. Self-isolate – If you test positive you will need to self-isolate in your home for at least 10 days from when your symptoms started. Anyone you live with must self-isolate for 10 days from when your symptoms started. By home, we mean your usual place of residence – you should not travel to another place of residence, for instance your family’s home.
   
   
2. Let us know – By using this form (you can also access the form through the My Brighton student portal). Letting us know will enable us to support you and to work with our local Health Protection Team (HPT) to help keep the university community safe. If you haven’t already done so when you first developed symptoms, then call our helpdesk on 01273 642222 too, so we can find out when and where you’ve been on campus.

What happens next:

• To make sure you’re supported, your Student Support and Guidance Tutor (SSGT) will be in touch, and if you’re living in halls, you’ll hear from the Residential Life team.
• You are also likely to be contacted by NHS Test and Trace and/or the HPT directly and we encourage you to engage with these services accordingly.
• Do not go out until at least 10 days after the date of the onset of your symptoms (or date of your test if asymptomatic) AND at least 48 hours after your temperature has returned to normal. Please refer to this Public Health England advice for the most up-to-date information.

For any additional support during this time, please contact our student wellbeing team.

We are monitoring the situation and are in close contact with the local health and public authorities. We will follow all official guidance depending on the severity of the outbreak and act accordingly.

We will follow all official advice and act accordingly. We have all the necessary arrangements in place to support students in a return to remote learning during any local lockdown period should this be required.

Government guidance states that public transport can be used where necessary if all appropriate precautions are taken, but those who have COVID-19 symptoms or who are self-isolating should avoid doing so. We already encourage students to walk or cycle to and from campus wherever possible. You can find out more about travel options.

We encourage all students expecting to travel to Brighton or Eastbourne in the coming weeks, to ensure that they consider any local guidance or restrictions in place before they travel. Where students may be facing travel restrictions, we will endeavour to make the appropriate arrangements to enable them to begin or continue their course remotely. The university expects all students and staff that are experiencing COVID-19 related symptoms, that have recently tested positive for COVID-19, or that have a member of their household in either position, to stay at home and self-isolate for the appropriate period.

We have bookable quarantine arrangements in place which include free accommodation, with a small charge for food and cleaning and a programme of comprehensive support during the mandatory 14-day isolation period.

All our campuses are being fully risk-assessed and are having the necessary social distancing and other arrangements put in place so that they are COVID-secure. Any students with underlying health conditions or any health concerns should contact their Student Support and Guidance Tutor before returning to campus.

You should advise them to go home and self-isolate and, if necessary, to book a test via www.gov.uk/get-coronavirus-test. If you continue to have concerns, then you should discuss these with the tutor or your Student Support and Guidance Tutor.

Everyone on campus has a responsibility to act sensibly and to follow all relevant guidance. Draw their attention to the signage in the area which will make clear what is required, and if necessary, speak to the tutor. Please be aware that some people are exempt from wearing a face covering.

We are committed to maintaining a safe, supportive and respectful environment for everyone and have a zero-tolerance approach to bullying in any circumstances. Any incidents can be reported via our online disclosure form and appropriate support will be provided.

Evidence from Public Health England indicates that people may be at higher risk of COVID-19 for a range of reasons including: existing health conditions; age; gender; ethnicity; country of domicile; current place of residence and occupation. More information on higher risk categories and what action can be taken to reduce the risks can be found on this NHS webpage.

The University of Brighton prioritise the safety of our community at all times and continue to follow government advice around providing COVID-secure buildings and environments. We have implemented a range of safety measures for those returning to campus. If you still feel worried or unsure about your situation or risk level then please do get in touch with your Student Support & Guidance Tutor (SSGT). Your SSGT can talk through the measures in place, discuss any alternative options for learning and teaching, and signpost you to internal and external specialist support services that may be able to help with your specific circumstances.

If you are a new international student and going to be living in university halls of residence you will be able to self-isolate in your permanent room and we can help make arrangements for your arrival, including arranging a bedding pack when you arrive for your period of your isolation.  You will need to book at least 72 hours before arriving in order for us to prepare your accommodation for you.

You must self-isolate immediately if you, or someone you live with, develop COVID-19 symptoms and whoever has the symptoms should then arrange to have a test. Do not wait until you have had the test to start self-isolating. You may also need to self-isolate if advised to do so by NHS Test & Trace.

Students who choose not to take an asymptomatic test ahead of the spring term will, by default, be required to self-isolate on arrival. The exception to this is if you have already tested positive for COVID-19 in the previous 90 days, or if you have tested negative in your home town immediately prior to returning.

If the student who tests positive is part of your household i.e. living in the same flat as you, then you do have to self-isolate. However, if you do not live in the same flat, and unless advised otherwise by the NHS app or NHS Test & Trace, as long as you feel well you can carry on as normal but must continue following all of the usual guidelines.

If you test positive, then you must self-isolate for 10 days from the onset of your symptoms, or if you don’t have symptoms from the date of your test. If you live with, or have been in contact with someone who tests positive, you will need to self-isolate for 10 days from the onset of their symptoms or the date of their test if they are not symptomatic.

If you develop symptoms whilst self-isolating then you will need to take a test and, if this is positive, will need to self-isolate for 10 days from the date of the test. In these circumstances that means that you may have to self-isolate for more than 10 days in total.

If you test negative, you can stop self-isolating as long as you are feeling well, no-one else in your household has symptoms or is awaiting a test result. If you have been advised to self-isolate by the NHS then you need to continue to do so even if you test negative.

You will still have to self-isolate if someone you live with develops symptoms or tests positive even if you have tested negative.

If you have symptoms or have tested positive, use a face covering when in shared areas and try to stay as far away from other members of your household as possible, especially if they are clinically extremely vulnerable. Avoid using shared spaces such as kitchens and other living areas while others are present and take your meals back to your room to eat.

Do not share towels, including hand towels and tea towels.

Everyone should wash their hands regularly with soap and water or use hand sanitiser, cover their mouth and nose when they cough or sneeze, and avoid touching their face.

Regularly clean frequently touched surfaces and shared areas such as kitchens and bathrooms and keep indoor areas well-ventilated by opening windows where possible.

To minimise the possibility of dispersing virus through the air, do not shake dirty laundry. Wash items in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions. All dirty laundry can be washed in the same load. If you do not have a washing machine, wait a further 72 hours after your self-isolation has ended when you can then take the laundry to a public launderette.

You should not leave your home whilst self-isolating but you can get fresh air in a garden or other outside space if your home has one. Exercising is beneficial, but should only be done inside.

You must avoid all face-to-face contact with anyone outside your immediate household. Do not invite or allow any social visitors to enter your home, including friends and family. If you want to speak to someone who is not a member of your household, use the phone, email or social media.

Food and other deliveries should be left on your doorstep or other outside space and only collected after the person delivering it has left. All non-essential in-house services and repairs should be postponed until the self-isolation period is completed.

You can read the latest NHS guidance.

The university has prepared advice on how to look after your wellbeing whilst you self-isolate.

This will depend on the circumstances.

If you are self-isolating for 10 days because you have developed symptoms:

You must isolate for at least 10 days if you test positive. The 10 days start from the onset of your symptoms or the date of your test if you are not symptomatic.

If you receive a negative test result, you can stop self-isolating as long as you are feeling well, no-one else in your household has symptoms or is awaiting a test result. If you have symptoms, you must continue to self-isolate until they have gone.

If you are self-isolating for 10 days because someone else in your house has symptoms or has tested positive:

You must self-isolate for the full 10 days if someone else in your house tests positive. The 10 days start from the onset of their symptoms or the date of their test if they are not symptomatic.

You can stop self-isolating if the other person tests negative and you and everyone else in the house have no symptoms.

If anybody else in your household develops symptoms during the self-isolation period, then you should restart the 10 days from when their symptoms begin.

If you are contacted by NHS Test & Trace:

You must self-isolate for the full 10 days as this means you have been in contact with someone who has tested positive.

While self-isolating you won’t be able to go to the shops, so we recommend stocking up on essential food and key supplies. Please don’t feel like you need to panic buy anything, but it’s good to be prepared.

You will be able to order food online during a period of self-isolation, but these time slots can fill up fast. Shopping Slot is a helpful website that can help you find a delivery slot from a range of supermarkets.

We recommend registering for an online account now so you can easily place an order online should you need to. If you haven’t shopped online for food before, think of it as a virtual shopping basket:

1. Search for products using the search bar/product categories
2. Add your favourite products to your basket
3. Select your delivery slot
4. Checkout and pay for your order
5. Your delivery will arrive at your chosen time

You will need to report that you are self-isolating when you place your order, so the delivery driver can make sure the delivery is contact free. The online process may vary slightly by supermarket, if you are having any difficulties with placing an order contact our Hospitality team.

In addition to the large supermarkets there are a number of local independent businesses who provide delivery services for takeaway food and groceries.

Deliveroo, Uber Eats and Just Eat can also deliver hot food from local restaurants, these may also do some basic shopping for you too.

If you are unable to order food online, we also have essential food boxes which are available to purchase from the Hospitality team for £25 per week. You can find a list of contents on the Halls website.

We are providing hand washing powder in our care packs for your smaller laundry items. If you need additional dryers please contact the Halls team. Additionally, we have bedding and towels that you can borrow until you can wash your own, again please contact the Halls team.

While self-isolating you won’t be able to go to the shops, so we recommend that you and your housemates stock up on essential food and key supplies. Please don’t feel like you need to panic buy anything, but it’s good to be prepared.

You will be able to order food online during a period of self-isolation, but these time slots can fill up fast. Shopping Slot is a helpful website that can help you find a delivery slot from a range of supermarkets.

We recommend registering for an online account now so you can easily place an order online should you need to. If you haven’t shopped online for food before, think of it as a virtual shopping basket:

1. Search for products using the search bar/product categories
2. Add your favourite products to your basket
3. Select your delivery slot
4. Checkout and pay for your order
5. Your delivery will arrive at your chosen time

You will need to report that you are self-isolating when you place your order, so the delivery driver can make sure the delivery is contact free.

In addition to the large supermarkets there are a number of local independent businesses who provide delivery services for takeaway food and groceries.

Deliveroo, Uber Eats and Just Eat can also deliver hot food from local restaurants, these may also do some basic shopping for you too.

We would encourage you to continue your studies where you can. Obviously, you won’t be able to attend any campus face to face sessions so we suggest you contact your course leader and let them know as they may be able to arrange something for you. You can also speak to your SSGT about study issues or questions around isolating.

It’s perfectly natural to feel anxious at times like these. We have a whole range of wellbeing services that you can access if you need support and a multitude of self-help resources.

If you are a new international student and going to be living in university halls of residence you will be able to self-isolate in your permanent room and we can help make arrangements for your arrival, including arranging a bedding pack when you arrive for your period of your isolation.  You will need to book at least 72 hours before arriving in order for us to prepare your accommodation for you.

We recognise that meeting people and making friends is a big part of your student experience and will be doing everything possible to ensure that this is possible in ways that help to keep everyone safe. Please note that the government’s current rules on meeting with others (the ‘rule of six’) are mandatory and apply to everyone, including students living in private accommodation.

Our catering outlets will be open and will provide a COVID-secure environment including track and trace. Student societies will run remotely and there will controlled access to sport and fitness facilities although there will be no sports trials or competitive team fixtures this term.

Our Residential Life team will also be available to provide support and will deliver a range of community activities to help you meet new people, build friendships and develop networks.

All our usual student support services will be available and accessible remotely. Any circumstances requiring face-to-face contact will be carried out in a COVID-safe environment.

We are creating ‘household bubbles’ in all of our halls, and these will be expected to adhere to all relevant government guidance. Support will be available 24/7 from our Residential Life team.

We require all our registered landlords to manage their properties in line with official guidance and expect all our students to behave responsibly and respect their housemates’ safety.

Most students have a range of travel options . We encourage walking or cycling wherever possible in line with current government guidance and there are a range of discounts available. The free hourly UB1 shuttle bus will operate between our Brighton campuses during term time. Timetabling will be managed to minimise the numbers of students needing to be on campus at any one time and to reduce pressure on local public transport at peak commuting periods.

Please contact your course leader or Student Support and Guidance Tutor ideally before the start of term to discuss your concerns. If you have a legitimate need to continue to study remotely during the first term, you’ll be supported to do so where the requirements of your course allow.

Our blended learning approach is designed to support students to be able demonstrate all the learning outcomes required by each of the individual modules that make up their course and the course overall. It does so through a combination of on-campus and remote learning that is flexed to meet the requirements of the course as is appropriate to different subject disciplines.

You’ll be able to keep in regular contact with your tutors both on campus and online via our digital learning platforms and be able to interact with them and receive feedback.

The Print Services counter at Moulsecoomb will be open to all students and we are currently looking at whether a booking system can operate at Grand Parade.

Students who need to access these spaces as part of their course will be able to do so in a managed way. However, in addition to the usual health and safety requirements there will also be COVID-specific measures in place which all users will be required to follow to ensure everyone’s safety.

As well as your course tutors, you’ll be able to review your progress and discuss all aspects of your studies with your Personal Academic Tutor. You’ll also be able to contact your Student Support and Guidance Tutor to discuss any personal issues on a confidential basis and be signposted to a wide range of internal and external support services.

All UK-based work placements are subject to a risk assessment and these will continue to reflect official guidance. If your course (eg in Health Sciences) requires you to complete a work placement as a condition of professional registration, you’ll be provided with specific advice via your school. However, if the UK sees a second spike in COVID-19 cases or local lockdowns are implemented, some UK placements may not be possible.

Due to the continuing global pandemic, international placements will not be possible before September 2021. We are therefore advising all students to seek placements in the UK as these are much more likely to be possible. Please speak to colleagues in our Placement teams to discuss these.

You should not arrange any placement activity independently as this will not be counted towards your award and you will not be covered by the university’s insurance.

UK-based field trips should be able to go ahead, but these will be risk assessed in the context of the changing position in with regards to local lockdowns. International field trips are not currently being permitted due to the ever-changing situation.

There will be no on campus in-person invigilated examinations during semester one and the majority of assessments will be delivered online.

Our ‘no detriment’ policy, which was introduced in the final term of the last academic year, is designed to ensure that no students are unfairly impacted in terms of grades as a direct result of COVID-19 and to enable them to progress and graduate. This is being kept under constant review to ensure our regulatory frameworks continue to support our commitment to no detriment.

The UK Government relaxed it’s shielding guidance as from 1 August 2020. If you have a legitimate need to continue to study remotely during the first term, you’ll be supported to do so where the requirements of your course allow. You should contact your course tutor or Student Support and Guidance Tutor to discuss your circumstances before the start of term.

We have put in place a Digital Access Fund to support those students who, due to their personal circumstances, don’t have access to their own computer and who can demonstrate genuine need.

If you have a disability, mental health issue or long-term illness, you may be eligible to receive a laptop and other equipment tailored to your needs through the Disabled Students Allowance. Once you apply for the loan scheme, you'll receive further details about eligibility and the full terms and conditions.

All volunteering opportunities will be subject to individual risk assessments and will need to be undertaken in ways that comply with all current guidance.

Students who need to work whilst studying will continue to be supported to do so.

Our Careers team will continue to support students to find work and to develop their employability

All UK-based work placements are subject to a risk assessment and these will continue to reflect official guidance. If your course (eg in Health Sciences) requires you to complete a work placement as a condition of professional registration, you’ll be provided with specific advice via your School. However, if the UK sees a second spike in COVID-19 cases or local lockdowns are implemented, some UK placements may not be possible.

In normal circumstances in order to qualify for the Graduate Route (GR) visa you must have been resident in the UK during your course. However, due to the pandemic the Home Office has confirmed that it will operate the following concession to this rule.

Existing students, who are due to successfully complete their course in the summer of 2021 and who have been studying by distance/blended learning outside the UK, will remain eligible to apply for the Graduate Route provided they are in the UK by 6 April 2021 and meet the other requirements of the route, including having an existing Student visa on the date you apply for the GR. This concession includes students who commenced a Master’s degree in September 2020 as well as final-year Bachelor’s degree students.

For students whose course is for more than one year and will not be completed in summer 2021, the Home Office has stated that any periods you have spent outside of the UK studying remotely will not be “held against you” when you make an application under the Graduate Route in future. However, please note that you must have an existing Student visa and be in the UK at the time you make the application under the Graduate Route.

In normal circumstances in order to qualify for the Graduate Route (GR) visa you must have been resident in the UK during your course. However, due to the pandemic the Home Office has confirmed that it will operate the following concession to this rule.

New students who commence a one-year Master’s programme in January or February 2021, will also remain eligible for the Graduate Route (GR), even if you are studying remotely, provided you enter the UK before 27 September 2021 and complete the final semester of your studies in the UK.

Whilst UK borders remain open, the guidance for international students is to consider whether you need to travel to the UK at this time particularly as your course will be delivered remotely until mid-February at the earliest.

If you already have pre-arranged travel plans that would be difficult to change, or if you have other individual circumstances that require you to travel to the UK now, you may do so. If you are unsure whether in your specific circumstances you should be travelling to the UK, contact the International Student Advisors. We must reiterate that there will be no face-to-face learning until mid-February earliest even if you travel to your term-time accommodation.

You will need to provide UK Border Force with your journey and contact details on a Passenger Locator Form no more than 48 hours before arrival in the UK in order to enter the country. You can complete this from online from your home country before you depart.

If you are travelling from Ireland, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man and you were there for 10 days or more you will not have to complete the form.