Orientation

Orientation programme

At the University of Brighton, our orientation support lasts as long as you need it. We are running ongoing information sessions, exercise and wellbeing activities, and social events throughout your first term, and will have student ambassadors online to answer your questions about living and studying here. You can request to join these sessions by using Microsoft Teams.

You can also email the orientation team with any questions you have about life in the UK: orientation@brighton.ac.uk.

Sessions include: understanding the UK healthcare system, working in the UK, Student visa conditions, shopping and transport in Brighton and Eastbourne, exercise and meditation sessions and a weekly online social event. It is also a chance to meet and connect with other international (EU and overseas) students. These sessions are open to all international students, whether you will be attending in person, or studying remotely for the first semester.

Our orientation programme for February starters will run on Friday 5 February from 08:30 to 14:30 GMT. For more information and to book a place, please email orientation@brighton.ac.uk.

If you need to quarantine

It is a requirement for travellers arriving into the UK from all countries to self-isolate, or quarantine, for a period of 10 days upon arrival in the UK. There is detailed information on what this means on the UK government website.

Please be sure to read the UK government guidelines on self-isolation in full so you understand what the requirements are and if they apply to you so you can be prepared.

As you will see the rules are very strict and you are only permitted to leave your accommodation in very specific circumstances.

We will be able to support you through any period of quarantine if needed. You can book a place in quarantine accommodation but please note – our teams need 72 hours notice to make quarantine arrangements so make sure you book well in advance. 

The UK government has also announced that from 04:00 GMT on 18 January all arrivals to the UK will need to provide a negative COVID-19 test result up to three days prior to departure. UK Border Force will conduct checks on arrival and if you do not provide a negative test result you will be fined. 

You will still need to quarantine for 10 days on arrival as well as provide a negative test even if you are arriving from a country previously on the UK Travel Corridor list.

Under the Test to Release scheme, you can choose to pay for a private COVID-19 test provided by a supplier approved by the UK government. You cannot take a test until you have been in England for a full five days. If the result is negative, you will be able to stop self-isolating. There is more information on this on the UK government’s website which is also where the list of approved providers will be available.  

Details of what quarantine will involve and how to prepare yourself are available in our quarantine information pack (pdf). In the meantime, if you are concerned or have any questions you can contact us at orientation@brighton.ac.uk.

Quarantine accommodation

If you are going to be living in university halls of residence, you will be able to quarantine in your permanent room but you will need to book quarantine accommodation through these pages. This is the case even if you will be arriving in the UK after the start of your contract and because the university needs to have details of all students who are self-isolating. 

We also need to make arrangements for your arrival, including arranging towels and bedding for the 10 days. Please note we need 72 hours' notice to arrange your booking so please make sure you allow for this when you make arrangements.

Students who are planning to stay in private accommodation can quarantine there provided they can meet the government advice on self-isolation. If you will not be able to safely quarantine in your own private accommodation you can book a room through us in university managed halls.

Contact us if you would like a copy of our guide to quarantining in your own accommodation via email at orientation@brighton.ac.uk.

When to arrive for quarantine

Whilst UK borders remain open the UK Government guidance for international students is not to travel if your course is to be delivered online. However, 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. You can contact your academic school to check what the arrangements are for teaching on your course. 

If you are required to quarantine on arrival in the UK, the rules state that you should only use public transport if you have no other option. You will also be required to wear a face covering on all public transport. There are a number of taxi companies providing an airport collection service, so you may wish to do your own research. Some local companies are:

• Streamline Taxis
• City Cabs Brighton
• 581 Travel

We run a programme of social activities to be delivered through our designated Microsoft team. These will help you to meet other students and find out more about university social life. Follow us on social media to find out more about our events.

• Instagram
• Facebook
• Twitter

Orientation programme

Our intensive orientation programme was delivered remotely for the first time this September. We had students attending while in the UK and also while based in their home countries. 

Students enjoyed a range of sessions and social activities, and the week ended with a virtual tea party, hosted by Vice-Chancellor Professor Debra Humphris.

It was a really great experience with easy access to get to know people in a short amount of time. I would suggest it to every other international student because it helps you especially with the beginning of everything.

The Vice-Chancellor’s welcome tea party is the highlight of our orientation programme. This year we will be running this as an online event so you can still enjoy the British tradition of tea and scones while quarantining.

International orientation tea party

How much does orientation cost and how to book

The orientation programme is free and will run from 08:30 to 14:30 on Friday 5 February. You can book your place at orientation online.

Please email us at southcoastevents@brighton.ac.uk if you have any specific queries about quarantine accommodation.