Advice for international and European students

Current advice as of 04 April 2020

Frequently asked questions for international and EEA students concerning the COVID-19 pandemic and their decision to return to their home country, or to remain in the UK.

This guidance is for students who are nationals of countries that are in the European Union/European Economic Area (EU/EEA students) and outside of the EU/EEA (international students).

The university supports its students who wish to return to their home country during the pandemic and from 23 March the university will be delivering its teaching remotely. We also continue to support any students who are remaining in the UK and continuing their studies remotely from here.

Confirm your location if you are leaving the UK during the pandemic

I am an international student with a Tier 4 Student visa

If I return to my home country and study my course remotely will my Tier 4 Student visa be cancelled?

No, it will not: your visa will remain valid as long as you academically engage with your course remotely. The university will not report the fact you have returned home to the Home Office.

Due to my visa I’m required to attend my course in-person (and get my attendance book completed) so what will happen about this?

Due to the exceptional circumstances you are not required to attend your course in-person, or to get your attendance booklet completed. Provided you academically engage with your course remotely your attendance will be deemed satisfactory in terms of your visa.

What do I need to do about returning to the UK when face-to-face teaching resumes; will I need to obtain a new Tier 4 visa?

If your current Tier 4 Student visa is valid for the duration of your course then you can use it to return to the UK when face-to-face teaching resumes without applying for a new visa.

If your visa is due to expire before you are due to come back to the UK, or soon afterwards, please seek further advice from the International Student Advisers.

If I decide to take a complete break from my course instead of studying remotely what will happen?

Firstly, you must discuss this with your SSGT and Course Leader or Supervisor. If it is decided that you do intermit or suspend from your course then the university may have to advise the Home Office if the intermission/suspension is going to be more than 60 days.

You should seek advice from the International Student Advice Service about your visa in this situation, as you will normally need to apply for a new visa when you return to study.

For details of how to contact the International Student Advice Service please see below.

I am an international student with a visa in a category other than Tier 4 e.g. Short-term Study

When I leave the UK will my visa be cancelled?

In certain circumstances, including if you are a non-visa national and you obtained permission to enter the UK as a Short-Term Student upon your arrival at the UK border, your leave (permission) to be in the UK will lapse (cancel itself) when you leave the UK. If you think this may be the case in your situation please contact us so we can advise you.

For other longer term visas your visa normally remains valid on your departure. However, depending on the reason for the visa it may not remain valid by the time you return to the UK, if for example you were working in the UK under Tier 2. Please also contact us directly so we can advise you.

Will I have any problems obtaining settlement (ILR) if I am absent from the UK for a long period of time?

This depends on the length of your absence, and your visa category. Please contact the International Student Advice Service for further advice.

I am an EU or EEA student

Now that the UK has left the European Union (Brexit) will I be able to re-enter the UK when face-to-face teaching resumes, or do I need to obtain a visa?

Although the UK has left the EU, there is now a transitional period until 31 December 2020, during which time freedom of movement will continue as usual. Therefore, EU/EEA nationals will not need a visa to travel to the UK before this date.

In addition, as you have already been living in the UK prior to the end of the transitional period, you will be eligible to make an application under the EU Settlement Scheme, which means that even after the end of the transitional period you will not need a visa to return to the UK.

For further information on the scheme please see our Brexit advice pages.

I haven’t applied for Pre-Settled or Settled Status under the EU Settlement Scheme: will I be able to apply if I leave the UK now?

Yes, you can still apply to the EU Settlement Scheme, and you can apply even if you are not currently in the UK. Please note the deadline to apply under the scheme is 30 June 2021.

Please see our Brexit advice pages and seek advice if you need help applying under the scheme.

If I am absent from the UK for a long period, will this impact on my ability to obtain settlement under the EU Settlement Scheme?

Absences of less than 6 months in any 12 month-period do not usually break continuous residence under the scheme. A single absence of over 6 months and up to 12 months may be accepted if there are special circumstances.

If this may apply to you, please contact the International Student Advice Service for further advice.

For international and EEA students who intend on remaining in the UK during the coronavirus pandemic

I am a Tier 4 student, and I am staying in the UK, what happens to my visa if face-to-face lectures are cancelled?

Even though you will not be able to attend classes in person your visa will remain valid as long as you academically engage with your course remotely.

My visa is expiring soon, what do I do?

Please see our standard advice pages in the first instance, and contact the International Student Advisers if you need further advice.

If you have any questions or concerns not covered by the above, or you require further clarification, please contact us: