FAQs for Brighton students

In-person teaching and learning for students who are studying practical or practice-based courses (including creative arts) which require specialist equipment and facilities will resume from Monday 8 March.

Students studying courses which can reasonably be continued online (humanities, social science and all courses taught by the Brighton Business School) should continue to study remotely until further notice.

Your timetable reflecting this will be available on My Studies.

Yes, the rules outlined above apply to both undergraduate and postgraduate study.

The government will review, by the end of the Easter holidays, the options for timing of the return of all remaining students. Your teaching will continue online until at least this point.

Wherever possible, you should remain where you are and not travel to your term-time address or to access university facilities until the resumption of in-person teaching and learning. You should also avoid returning to university to collect belongings left in university accommodation. You can however travel back to collect any medical equipment or items required for online learning if it is essential.

In exceptional circumstances (for example, where you do not have access to appropriate alternative accommodation, facilities or study space, or where you need to return for health or safety reasons), those not listed as eligible to return may return to the university after confirming this approach with their school.

Students who remained in their university/term-time accommodation, or who have already returned, but who are not expected to return to in-person teaching and learning at this stage, should remain at their current university accommodation.

If for any reason you cannot, or do not wish to return to campus from the 8 March, please speak to your SSGT and course leader to discuss your individual circumstances.

Yes, the university will continue to honour its commitment to providing a 60% reduction for those students who are unable to return as a result of government restrictions.

For students renting privately, we have set up a Private Renters Support Fund. This is open to students in financial hardship who are from low income households and meet all of the following conditions:

• are not in receipt of full funding or a University of Brighton bursary
• have been unable to access their term-time accommodation since the January lockdown started
• their landlord or agent hasn’t given any discount and has continued to charge full rent.

Please note – the closing date for applications has now passed.

Our approach to academic delivery is in line with guidance from the Office for Students. The university’s processes for assessment, progression and the awarding of degrees continue to be robust. This is obviously important in terms of protecting the value of your degree when you graduate. Consequently, tuition fees will remain payable, in accordance with government policy.

Earlier in February we wrote to students setting out our “safety net”, the range of measures in place to ensure you are not academically disadvantaged because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Details are available on our blog. 

The government has announced that unless you are in the group of students able to travel back to university for in-person teaching and learning (see above), you should stay where you are at this stage, before a decision is made on further return. The government will announce this decision by the end of the Easter holidays.

If you have already booked travel but you are not on a course prioritised for return on 8 March, you should consider delaying if those travel arrangements can be rearranged without undue costs.

New international students are able to commence a course by distance learning from outside the UK without a visa, and do not require sponsorship under the Student route while they are studying outside the UK. You should be aware that visa concessions allow for the ongoing provision of online learning for the duration of academic year 2020-21.

If you are on one of the courses that have been prioritised for return on 8 March, and are making travel plans to come to the UK to study, you should:

• check additional entry requirements and restrictions that have been introduced due to coronavirus (COVID-19) before travelling to the UK, including whether the country you are travelling from is on the UK’s red list - see gov.uk for more information
• check with your higher education provider in advance to confirm when face-to-face teaching begins
• inform your higher education provider when you intend to arrive on campus so that you can be appropriately supported.

You should be aware that all inbound travellers to the UK (including international and domestic students) will have to take a COVID-19 test up to three days before departure and provide evidence of a negative result before you travel. All international arrivals will be required to complete a passenger locator form on arrival.

You should also be aware that everyone must book a travel test package before travelling to the UK – this costs £210. You must take a COVID-19 test on or before day 2 after you arrive for variant surveillance and a test on or after day 8 to check that you do not have COVID-19. This can be booked using the travel package booking portal.

Our libraries will remain open on the current click and collect basis and study spaces can be booked via My Brighton. A takeaway food and drink service will be available on each campus. Our Sports department are following Government guidance and are working to re-open facilities as soon as this is permitted.

The government’s ‘Hands, Face, Space’ guidance sets out the importance of continuing to wear face coverings, maintaining social distancing, and regularly washing or sanitising your hands. Read the detailed government guidance.

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.

Face coverings must be worn (unless an individual is exempt) in the following situations:

1. Where people are transiting through common areas within university buildings.
2. In all teaching and learning environments (for example lecture theatres, class rooms, workshops, studios).
3. In all locations within libraries.
4. Locations which include a face-to-face interaction with students such as information desks, school offices and reception desks.
5. All locations and during activities where the use of face coverings is specified as an additional COVID secure control measure
6. University operated transport (e.g. field trips)
7. Students who are self-isolating and exit their accommodation in relation to an emergency situation must ensure they wear a face covering whilst outside.

There is no requirement to wear a face covering in staff office locations unless a need has been identified by an Operational COVID Secure Risk Assessment (for example where students may require access to staff within the office space).

We recognise that the wearing of face coverings is not appropriate for all and those who are unable to wear a face covering, and wish to do so, can consider using an exemption badge or sunflower lanyard (for hidden disabilities). Badges or cards can be produced via this government webpage and a limited stock will be available from Student Information desks and the Students’ Union. Sunflower Lanyards are available from the Disability and Dyslexia Team.

Students and staff are also reminded of the need to only wear face coverings where necessary and to remove them if safe to do so in order to reduce any adverse impact on communication. To try and minimise any adverse impact, we will be contacting students that may be directly affected to consider what adjustments might be helpful to mitigate this.

Any additional adjustments will be added to Learning Support Plans and our Learning Support Coordinators will liaise directly with the relevant academic colleagues accordingly

Read full details of government guidance on the wearing of face coverings

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 & 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 it has been indicated to you that you are eligible to return.

If it has been indicated that you are eligible to return to campus, your on campus face-to-face studies will resume during the week commencing 8 March. Your timetable reflecting this will be available on My Studies.

Much of the guidance issued previously remains in place. In particular, when travelling within the UK please try to use private travel where possible and avoid travelling in large groups, and adhere to good social distancing practice.

Under the ‘Stay at Home’ regulations, you are permitted to return to term-time accommodation, including travel to and from the devolved administrations, subject to any local rules in place within the devolved administrations. This includes family or others within your household or support bubble who travel with you to transport you back to your term-time address.

You can travel by private vehicle or public transport but should make sure you follow safer travel advice.

• Avoid car sharing with anyone outside your household or support bubble
• Rigorously follow the safer travel guidance for passengers to reduce the risk of transmission to others where this is not possible

If using public transport, you should:

• Plan and avoid busy times and routes
• Rigorously follow the coronavirus (COVID-19): safer travel guidance for passengers

You can help reduce the spread of coronavirus by:

• Wearing a face covering unless exempt
• Keeping your distance from people from other households when you travel, where possible
• Washing or sanitising hands regularly
• Avoiding the busiest routes, as well as busy times like the rush hour
• Downloading the NHS COVID-19 app before you travel, if possible and checking in where you see official NHS COVID-19 QR code posters

If you are travelling from areas which are undergoing ‘surge’ testing, different public health guidance applies and you should ensure you get tested before you travel. If you test positive, your PCR test will be sent to a laboratory for genomic sequencing and you must not travel. You must isolate with your household immediately and follow the guidance for households with possible or confirmed coronavirus infections. Public Health England will carry out enhanced tracing of close contacts of confirmed cases of the variants.

Rules on socialising are being relaxed gradually as part of the government’s roadmap out of lockdown in England. As of Monday 29 March, up to six people or two households are allowed to meet outdoors (including in private gardens). Many restrictions however currently remain in place, in particular, social gathering indoors remains prohibited.

The government has recently introduced a new £800 fine for those attending house parties, including in halls of residence, which will double for each repeat offence to a maximum level of £6,400. These fines will apply to those who attend illegal gatherings of more than 15 people from outside their household.

In the context of halls accommodation your ‘household’ constitutes all those living within your own self-contained flat.

Because of the changing position relating to in-person teaching and learning and occupation of accommodation, your loan entitlements for the current term will not be reassessed if you are still incurring accommodation costs away from home, meaning that students in receipt of the ‘living away from home’’ loan rate will retain the maintenance loans paid at the start of term, which will be repaid in the usual way. This should help to ensure you have the financial support you need during these exceptional circumstances.

Students with a university parking E-Permit who need to park on campus during March and April 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.

Students are encouraged to test before they travel back to university, where community testing facilities are available to them.

All students eligible to return to university should get two tests - one immediately on return to university and then again three days later. You are then strongly encouraged to book testing twice weekly thereafter.

If you have had a positive coronavirus (COVID-19) test in the last 90 days through NHS Test and Trace and been recorded as a positive case on the national system, you do not need to be tested again within this time period if you are asymptomatic. You are still required to self-isolate if you are identified as a close contact of a positive case, even if this is within the 90 day window.

You can find further detail on testing in our COVID testing FAQ section.

Please do not worry. There are options available.

Requesting an extension enables you to request a revised deadline, usually beforehand or retrospectively, up to two weeks after the deadline has passed (in exceptional circumstances). If you experience an unexpected issue that you believe can be rectified quickly so that you are eventually able to submit your work, you can apply for an extension through your course leader and you do not need to provide any supporting evidence. Extensions can help you manage the impact of short-term circumstances that occur close to a coursework submission deadline, but you should think about whether delaying one assessment deadline could lead to you having to manage a large workload within a short period of time if other assessments are due.

As part of the generic mitigation, any non-submitted, failed or missed assessment will be deemed to have upheld mitigating circumstances by the Examination Board, and in most cases, you will be granted another opportunity to submit work without penalty (a deferral) during the usual referral period.

You should think carefully and seek advice before deciding not to submit work or complete assessments. Some things to consider are:

• Not every assessment can be deferred if you have already passed it, and a deferral may not be possible due to the nature of the module (e.g. some placements) or Professional, Statutory and Regulatory Body accreditation (PSRB);
• Usually, the best time to attempt assessment is at the point it is initially set, within the delivery of the module and where the assessment forms part of a structured assessment schedule;
• Whether you are able to complete a new assessment/ piece of work in the referral period;
• If you have a high volume of deferral work it may slow your progression to the next stage of study or delay your graduation;
• Delaying your progression or graduation could impact the availability of student finance.

If you are experiencing difficulties and would like to discuss this further, we encourage you to reach out to one of our support services, such as your Personal Academic Tutor, a Student Support and Guidance Tutor, the Brighton Students' Union, or your Course/ Module Leader. If you have a Learning Support Plan you should seek advice from the Disability and Dyslexia Team.

Generic mitigation has been applied in recognition of the fact that all students will have experienced some disruption due to COVID-19. This means students will automatically have ‘mitigating circumstances’ applied and Examination Boards will make appropriate decisions about progression, grades and awards in light of this and will, where possible, offer another attempt to complete the assessment with no detriment (i.e. a deferral).

Generic mitigation applies for all assessments completed between 26 September 2020 and 26 September 2021 and covers the following:

• absence from an assessment (including examination);
• failure to submit or undertake assessed work (non-submission);
• failure of an assessment and/or a module (failure).

You are not required to submit individual claims or evidence for mitigating circumstances for the reasons set out above, all students will automatically have generic mitigation applied for this period.

If you have passed an assessment task but feel that your performance has been negatively impacted by mitigating circumstances - which may, or may not, be related to COVID-19, a process is in place for considering those circumstances. The process is called ‘mitigating circumstances for unrepresentative performance’. Normally you will be able to apply to have the opportunity to complete a new assessment/ piece of work without detriment (a deferral). Please read the rest of this section for more details about mitigating circumstances for unrepresentative performance.

Supporting documents may help you explain your circumstances, but we understand that this can be difficult to obtain during the pandemic - please do not worry – you’ll have the opportunity to tell us about your circumstances and the impact on your assessment on the claim form ARGEAR3. You can submit a claim for mitigating circumstances for unrepresentative performance for difficult unforeseen and unavoidable circumstances regardless of whether they directly relate to the COVID-19 pandemic or not. These difficult circumstances can include caring responsibilities and IT issues/ computer failure as well as things which have impacted your physical and mental wellbeing.

The types of supporting documents students usually submit are:

• Medical certificate or letter from a medical practitioner e.g. a doctor
• Hospital admission and discharge letter, to confirm time spent in hospital
• Letter or form from an appropriate health professional (i.e. counsellor the student has been supported by)
• Death certificate
• Supporting statement from the Disability and Dyslexia Team
• Police, insurance company or news report

Again, please do not worry if you cannot obtain supporting documents, each claim will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

Applications for mitigating circumstances for unrepresentative performance will need to be made by completing claim form ARGEAR3 after you have received your results from the final Course Examination Board (CEB) at the end of your stage of study.

• Claims for mitigating circumstances for unrepresentative performance must be received no later than 14 calendar days after you have received your results ratified by the final CEB at the end of your stage of study;
• Form ARGEAR3 should be completed in full and emailed to your School Administration Office;
• You only need to complete one form for all passed assessments which you feel have been impacted and the mark is unrepresentative;
• You are requesting the opportunity to complete a new assessment/ piece of work without detriment (a deferral) during the normal referral period;
• Not every assessment can be deferred if you have already passed it, and a deferral may not be possible due to the nature of the module (e.g. some placements) or Professional, Statutory and Regulatory Body accreditation (PSRB);
• You may find it useful to attach scans of supporting documents (where available) to help explain your circumstances;
• You’ll need to submit proof of the receipt of your mark/ grade from the CEB at the end of your stage of study.

You are encouraged to contact one of our support services, such as your Personal Academic Tutor, a Student Support and Guidance Tutor, the Brighton Students' Union, or your Course/ Module Leader to discuss whether submitting a claim for mitigating circumstances for unrepresentative performance is the right decision for you. If you have a Learning Support Plan you should seek advice from the Disability and Dyslexia Team.

It might be helpful to consider:

• If the impact of the circumstances is short-term circumstances and occur close to a coursework submission deadline, an extension to deadline might be more convenient;
• Whether you are looking to achieve a particular profile of marks for professional or further study reasons;
• If the marks will be used to calculate your final award classification and a higher mark could change this. Please note that we are currently investigating how we can take the impact of the pandemic into account when classifying degrees for both undergraduate and postgraduate students;
• Whether you are able to complete a new assessment/ piece of work in the referral period;
• If you have a high volume of deferral work it may slow your progression to the next stage of study or delay your graduation;
• Delaying your progression or graduation could impact the availability of student finance.

Throughout the pandemic, the University has regularly reviewed its regulations to ensure that the impact of COVID-19 upon students’ academic performance is mitigated. The measures in place this year to support students are different to last year because, whilst still in the midst of a pandemic, the circumstances this year are different and we had to have clear start and end dates for the changes to regulations.

To ensure fairness to all students, the mitigating circumstances for unrepresentative performance process is available for assessments taken during academic year 2020/ 21 unless an Individual Performance Benchmark (IPB) has been calculated and considered against the module.

No, there isn’t a maximum number of credits or assessments that can be deferred. An Examination Board may apply generic mitigation, or you may request mitigating circumstances for unrepresentative performance against as many assessments as required.

You are encouraged to contact one of our support services, such as your Personal Academic Tutor, a Student Support and Guidance Tutor, the Brighton Students' Union, or your Course/ Module Leader to discuss whether submitting a claim for mitigating circumstances for unrepresentative performance is the right decision for you. If you have a Learning Support Plan you should seek advice from the Disability and Dyslexia Team.

It might be helpful to consider:

• Whether you are looking to achieve a particular profile of marks for professional or further study reasons;
• If the marks will be used to calculate your final award classification and a higher mark could change this. Please note that we are currently investigating how we can take the impact of the pandemic into account when classifying degrees for both undergraduate and postgraduate students;
• Whether you are able to complete a new assessment/ piece of work in the referral period;
• If you have a high volume of deferral work it may slow your progression to the next stage of study or delay your graduation;
• Delaying your progression or graduation could impact the availability of student finance.

The Examination Board will determine how generic mitigation and/ or the mitigating circumstances for unrepresentative performance will be used when considering your progression or final degree result.

In most cases, you will be offered a deferral opportunity without penalty. The Examination Board cannot use generic mitigation or upheld mitigating circumstances for unrepresentative performance to increase your module mark or change your final award classification. Where the assessment has already been passed (MCUP) the deferral will be a new assessment or piece of work, rather than reworking of the original.

Please be aware that a deferral may not be possible due to the nature of the module (e.g. some placements) or Professional, Statutory and Regulatory Body accreditation (PSRB).

In line with our normal practice for mitigating circumstances, the highest mark will stand. So, if you receive a lower mark for the new assessment/ piece of work (deferral) please don’t worry, the original pass mark will be used.

It is worth remembering that we have also adjusted the way we calculate your award - your best performing modules during this year will be counted toward your classification, and the lowest-performing modules don't count*.

*This revised approach to calculation awards will apply for most courses, however they will be some exceptions and differences for some courses, due to the structure of your course or due to your course being associated with a Professional, Statutory and Regulatory Body. Your School will contact you to confirm arrangements for your course where this may differ.

Throughout the pandemic, the University has regularly reviewed its regulations to ensure that the impact of COVID-19 upon students’ academic performance is mitigated. The measures in place this year to support students are different to last year because, whilst still in the midst of a pandemic, the circumstances this year are different.

During 2020/21 academic year, there are two key regulatory support mechanisms. The first is generic mitigation which means that students do not have to apply for mitigation and where they fail an assessment or are not able to submit will be offered another attempt, which will not be capped (this is known as a deferral). The second mechanism is mitigating circumstances for unrepresentative performance. Mitigating circumstances for unrepresentative performance may be claimed when despite an assessment being passed, you feel that you could have done better if not for the impact of the pandemic or other circumstances. Normally you will be able to apply to have the opportunity to complete a new assessment/ piece of work without detriment (a deferral). In addition, we are also offering a flexible approach to extension to deadlines.

These arrangements are different from those we put in place during the previous lockdown. Back then, we used students’ marks for assessments undertaken in the semester prior to the pandemic to calculate an individual performance benchmark representing ‘unaffected’ assessment and module marks for the year were not allowed to fall below this figure. We cannot continue with this approach because delivery and assessment have been adapted during this year as a result of the pandemic. We have sought to provide a learning and assessment environment that supports your achievement in this new model of delivery and as a result there is no period of performance against which we can benchmark. But we do understand that individually, students may have experienced different circumstances and as a result have offered opportunities for deferrals as described above.

As a priority we are currently investigating how we can take the impact of the pandemic into account when classifying degrees for both undergraduate and postgraduate students. We will provide details about this as soon as we can.

A small number of students did not have an IPB applied at the end of their stage of study last year, usually because they had not acquired enough credit prior to the 5 March 2019 to complete this calculation. You should contact your school office to confirm bespoke arrangements if this affects you.

We are moving to a ‘best of’ approach where your best performing modules during this year will be counted toward your classification, and the lowest-performing modules don't count.

As in previous years you will still need to pass all your modules but in recognition of the continued impact of the pandemic, modules where you may not have performed so well will be discounted when calculating your award.

We hope this gives you confidence that, while the other safety net measures are available to you if you need them, your degree will be calculated based on your best work.

The majority of students graduating this year will be covered by the two approaches below. For full details of all award calculations please refer to this table.

Current Level 6 undergraduate students

Your classification will be made up of*:

• Your best 80 credits (out of 120) in your final year, weighted at 75%. Your lowest performing 40 credits will be excluded from the calculation.
• The existing benchmarked full 120 level 5 credits taken in 2019/20 weighted at 25%

Postgraduate students

For Masters degrees, your classification will be made up of:

• Your best 80 credits out of 120 taught credits. Your lowest performing 40 taught credits will be excluded from the calculation.
• plus, your ‘final element’ module

*This revised approach to calculation awards will apply for most courses, however there will be some exceptions and differences for some courses, due to the structure of your course or due to your course being associated with a Professional, Statutory and Regulatory Body. Your School will contact you to confirm arrangements for your course where this may differ.

The majority of students graduating this year will be covered by the two approaches below. For full details of all award calculations please refer to this table.

Current Level 5 undergraduate students

Your classification will be made up of*:

• Your best 80 credits (out of 120) in Level 5, weighted at 25%. Your lowest performing 40 credits will be excluded from the calculation.
• Your final year calculation currently remains at 120 credits, weighted at 75%. We will continue to review the impact of the pandemic against our methods for calculating awards as you progress through your studies.

Current Level 4 undergraduate students

Your level 4 results will not count towards your award; however, we know many of you may be concerned about how this years’ experience may impact your future achievement. We are considering this carefully and will continue to review the impact of the pandemic against our methods for calculating awards as you progress through your studies.

Current Level 3/ year 0 undergraduate students

Level 3/ year 0 is designed as an entry route to prepare you for one of our courses, and your progression on to level 4 marks the beginning of the course alongside other new students who will start in 2021. Your results will not count towards your award, but you will still benefit from the other aspects of the Safety Net described at the start of this document.

*This revised approach to calculation awards will apply for most courses, however there will be some exceptions and differences for some courses, due to the structure of your course or due to your course being associated with a Professional, Statutory and Regulatory Body. Your School will contact you to confirm arrangements for your course where this may differ.

In addition to the above, we have also increased the amount of compensated credit available in a stage of study from 20 to 40, this can be applied at the discretion of a course examination board.

An Examination Board may allow credit to be awarded at the end of your stage of study for failed modules, with the following principles:

• compensated credit is not graded and is not awarded against a specific module;
• the award of compensation is a matter of academic judgement and not arithmetic or automatic - you can’t appeal the decision of an Examination Board not to award compensation;
• the raw marks for the module(s) taken and failed remain on your record, and will be used in determining the final classification (where appropriate, unless discounted through the revised algorithm);
• compensation is applied at the end of your stage of study;
• in considering whether or not it is appropriate to award compensation at the award stage of your course, the Course Examination Board will normally consider whether or not you have met the learning outcomes for the course;
• compensation can’t be awarded if a mandatory module has been failed;
• compensation can’t be awarded where you haven’t made a serious attempt at the failed module(s)
• compensation can’t normally be awarded if you haven’t attempted the full diet of assessment, or where you have failed modules in a specific area of the course for which compensation has previously been granted.

Whatever your reasons for needing some time off, we highly recommend that you keep in touch with course staff. They are a source of support and advice – academic or otherwise – and may be able to grant you an extended deadline or other support for your work if that would help your situation.

You should contact Student Services or your course leader, personal academic tutor or SSGT if you are considering time away from university so that we can provide one-to-one advice and support. It might be helpful to consider the following when you have these discussions:

• The time period for intermission
• When any outstanding assessment will be taken
• Whether the Safety Net benefits will apply on your return
• Whether the curriculum and assessment will be different on your return
• Fee and student finance implications
• Visa implications if you’re an international student

If you eventually decide to spend time away from the university, you must submit a written application to your course leader that explains your reasons for intermitting. If they accept your application and allow you to intermit, the school office will work with Academic Services to ensure that your student record and transcripts are prepared, and you will be free to leave the university.

The dates of intermission will vary according to your individual needs, course and stage of study, but they usually begin at an appropriate stage in the academic calendar, for example at the end of a module, term or semester.

Further information can be found on our Time off from university pages.

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).

You should be tested twice in your first week of return – immediately upon return and then again three days later. 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. Booking additional, regular testing (up to two tests per week) after your initial tests is strongly encouraged.

You are strongly encouraged to book regular tests (up to two tests per week). Please remember however that you should only travel to campus and book tests if you have been told to do so by your school or fall into the Government’s list of exemptions defined in our ‘Return to campus spring term 2021’ section above.

Yes, you should still follow the same guidance on regular testing.

Four test centres will be available:

• Cockcroft
• Eastbourne campus
• Falmer
• City campus

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

Please ensure you book your first 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.

To gain access to Test Centres you will need to use your own Student Card or Staff (access control card). Please ensure your card is activated before arrival.

If you have never used it to gain access to the University before, you can activate by holding against an online card reader (generally all Library and main entrance doors) for 8 seconds. The card should then work instantly.

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 the Cockcroft, Falmer and Eastbourne 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.

Due to the city centre location, university parking for those taking tests is not available at the City campus. If you do wish to drive to your test, please either book at the Cockcroft, Falmer or Eastbourne test sites or make use of the Local NCP car parks adjacent to the City campus which remain open.

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.

Once you have completed your initial tests or self-isolation period you are strongly encouraged to book regular university testing (up to two tests per week).

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.

Once you have completed the test to release scheme or self-isolation period you are strongly encouraged to book regular university testing (up to two tests per week).

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 you are strongly encouraged to book regular university testing (up to two tests per week).. 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 it is that 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.

You should receive your results a short time after taking each of your 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 test is negative it is important that you still go ahead with any subsequent tests you have booked. Regular testing (up to two tests per week) is now available and is strongly encouraged).It is important to abide by local restrictions around social gathering, and good practice guidelines at all times before, during and after your tests.

If you test positive you will need to self-isolate 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.

If you have a positive LFD 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.

A negative test result means 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. You are also strongly encouraged to continue with regular testing (up two tests per week).

If a member of your household tests positive for COVID-19, 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.

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 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 to most countries a travel ban is in place for people arriving from certain countries, you can find the list on the UK government website. The guidance for international students is to consider whether you need to travel to the UK at this time particularly as most courses are being delivered remotely until further notice.

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 via internationaladvice@brighton.ac.uk. We must reiterate that there will be no face-to-face learning until further notice even if you travel to your term-time accommodation.

You will need to provide UK Border Force with:

• confirmation of a negative COVID-19 test result taken no longer than 3 days prior to starting your journey
• reference number of a pre-booked travel package which contains COVID-19 tests which will be sent to your UK address at a cost of £210
• details of your journey and address in the UK where you will be quarantining
• provide all these details on a Passenger Locator Form no more than 48 hours before arrival in the UK in order to enter the country. You must complete this form online from your home country before you depart.

During your 10 day period of isolation you must take two COVID-19 tests, one on (or before) day two and the other on (or after) day eight of your period of quarantine.

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.

The UK government is maintaining a travel ban red list of countries. If you have been in or through any of the countries on the list you will not be allowed entry to the UK, check this list before you make any travel plans as it will be updated regularly.

There are exemptions, if you are a British National, Irish National or you have residence rights in the UK you will be able to enter the UK, our international student advisors can help you if you have questions regarding eligibility for residence status. The following rules will apply before and when you arrive in the UK:

• You must have proof of a negative coronavirus test within three days before you start your journey.
• Pre-book and agree to pay the £1,750 fee for a 10-day period of quarantine in a managed quarantine hotel through one of the approved ports of entry, transport to your hotel will be provided.
• You must complete a Passenger Locator Form within 48 hours before you arrive in the UK confirming your negative test result and your quarantine package reference.
• Take a test on (or before) day two and on (or after) day 8 of your quarantine, the tests will be provided in your quarantine package.
• You cannot use the Test to Release scheme when you arrive in the UK.

If you do need to travel please review the full instructions on the UK government website and email our international student advisors internationaladvice@brighton.ac.uk and they can give you advice on your own personal circumstances.

The UK government have today announced that they will be imposing a travel ban on people arriving from certain countries to stop new variants of COVID-19 spreading in the UK. So if you are travelling from, or have transited through, a country on this list you will not be granted entry into the UK. This list will be updated so you should check it regularly.

If you are a British or Irish National, or from another country but have residence status in the UK and you are returning to the UK from a country on the travel ban list you will be allowed to enter the UK but you must provide evidence of a negative test before you travelled, you must also isolate for 10-days on arrival and you are not eligible to register for the Test to Release Scheme.