Wellbeing, health and safety of students are the top priority in the UK's universities. Therefore, a vaccine program has been fostered at national level, especially in universities for the new normal period and welcoming international students to return.
In fact, 70% of residents have been vaccinated at least one dose and the UK is considered as one of the countries successfully conducting the COVID-19 vaccination plan. Besides, TNR is aware of how useful it is to continue providing the COVID-19 related information to support you in preparing your study journey in the UK safely. The majority of our information follows three groups “red list, amber list, green list” into which countries and territories around the world are divided.
Nations in red list, amber list and green list in England.
Nations in red list, amber list and green list in Wales.
Nations in red list, amber list and green list in Scotland.
Nations in red list, amber list and green list in Northern Ireland.
1. Covid-19 requirements when entering the UK
Pre-departure
Red list
For international students from red list countries, you can solely arrive in the UK if you are a British or Irish National, or you have residence rights in the UK.
Take COVID-19 test and have the negative result within 3 days before boarding.
Within 48 hours before boarding, you have to:
Book and pay for a quarantine hotel package, including COVID-19 test when entering the UK.
Complete the “Passenger Locator form”.
Regarding Northern Ireland:
Unless the test result certificate meets the following requirements, the owner will be punished and unable to board:
Certificate's language must be original English, French or Spanish, not in translation form.
Include full name, date of birth, test result, the sample’s collected date, test provider’s identity and contact details, confirmation of test type (ex: PCR test or LAMP test).
See more info at https://bit.ly/3EaJju5.
Amber list and Green list
Similar to the conditions for red list countries, yet there is no need to pay for a quarantine hotel package when entering the UK.
See more requirements for COVID-19 test results when arriving in Northern Ireland at:
https://bit.ly/3EaJju5 (For Amber list)
https://bit.ly/3EKLSn5 (For Green list)
Post-arrival.
Red list
Self-isolation at home or place you are staying for 10 days.
COVID-19 test on the second and eighth days after arriving in England.
If you break the aforementioned rules, you will be fined up to £10,000.
Amber list
Self-isolation at home or place you are staying for 10 days.
COVID-19 test on the second and eighth days after arriving in England.
Regarding England
If you are fully-vaccinated (fully vaccinated with 2 dose namely AstraZeneca, Pfizer or 1 dose of Janssen while the latest vaccination must be at least 14 days before boarding):
COVID-19 test on the second day when entering England.
If you are not fully-vaccinated:
Self-isolation at home or place you are staying for 10 days.
COVID-19 test on the second and eighth days after arriving in England.
Green list
Have COVID-19 test on or before day two in the UK
2. When your 90 day student visa vignette has expired.
2.1 Your visa is no longer valid and you
Cannot travel to the UK because of COVID-19’s impact, have to study online and intend to travel to study the same course
Complete the online course, then return to the UK on the expected date and apply for the Graduate Route. (Depending on courses, there will be the official announcement about the expected arrival date to the UK)
You have to submit a paid application for vignette transfer as an online form. The fee to replace the expired visa is £154 and you have to book an appointment for completing biometric information.
2.2 Your visa is no longer valid and you
Cannot complete your course and intend to travel to the UK
Can complete the course, yet the course's final day is changed and you desire to revise the expiration date of the new visa
You have to submit the paid application for student visa with the new Certificate of Acceptance of Study (CAS) to revise the dates of your course. Besides, there must be an appointment for completing your biometric information.
2.3 Is the Graduate Route application suspended due to COVID-19?
Students who began an online course for 12 months or less in 2020/ 2021, haven't studied that course in the UK, are eligible for the Graduate Route application before their student visa ends or by 27 September 2021.
Students who have the permission of Student study the course which lasts for 12 months or less in 2020/2021 and have already travelled to the UK during permission time, are able to apply if they return to the UK by the permission's due date.
Graduate Route application is also available for students who are sponsored for a course lasting more than 12 months due to distance learning either in the UK or overseas between 24 January 2020 and 27 September 2021.
3.The UK's universities and support services for international students during covid-19.
Birmingham City University.
- Red list
Free airport pick up
Up to £2,285 for the reimbursement via discounted tuition fee
- Amber list
Free self-isolation in university owned halls.
Free service package including bedding, cooking equipment, etc
Virtual activities are provided for students' entertainment.
Coventry University
- Red list
£1,750 government hotel cost, testing fees, food voucher, airport pickup service & free food for entire quarantine & free taxi for London campus
- Amber list
Free self-isolation in university owned halls.
Support from reception regarding food order, wellbeing care, waste disposal, etc.
Cranfield University
- Red list
Bursary covering testing, accommodation costs and meals, airport/government quarantine
Goldsmiths, University of London
- Red list
Free self-isolation in university owned halls.
Hardship funding for all students
- Amber list
Up to £150 payment for COVID-19 test.
- Green list
Up to £80 payment for COVID-19 test.
Lincoln
- Red list
Free food for the entire quarantine period, £60 food voucher for quarantine.
£180 test reimbursement
- Amber list
Free airport pick up
Free self-isolation in university owned halls.
Free service package including bedding, cooking equipment, etc
Virtual activities are provided for students' entertainment.
Dry food ingredient package.
£60 supermarket voucher, even for students who rent independent accommodation.
- Green list
Reimbursement for COVID-19 test fee
London Metropolitan University
- Red list
£1,750 government hotel cost, testing fees, food voucher, airport pickup service
- Amber list
Contact the International Recruitment Team for school's financial support
Newcastle
- Red list
Reimbursement for the cost of a mandatory hotel quarantine which stays up to £1,750
Middlesex
- Red list
Free food for entire quarantine
Reimbursement for the cost of a mandatory hotel quarantine and two COVID-19 tests which stays up to £1,750
- Amber list and Green list
Reimbursement for two COVID-19 tests which stays up to £210.
Regents University
- Red list
Package of up to £3,010
- Amber list
Package of up to £860
Royal Holloway
- Red list
Refund £150 travel covid-19 tests, quarantine hotel costs up to £1,500
- Amber list and Green list
Up to £150 payment for COVID-19 test
Sunderland
- Red list
Free airport pick up
- Amber list
Free self-isolation in university owned halls.
University of Bradford
- Red list
£200 towards quarantine
University of Brighton.
- Red list
Still in discussion
Free accommodation for students self isolating.
Free accommodation for students to start up to 4 weeks late,
Facilitate the option for remote delivery across as many program as possible
University of Creative Arts
- Red list
Considering testing support, food packages and airport pick ups
University of Huddersfield
- Red list
Still planning - discussions around 50% of quarantine fees
4. VACCINE PROGRAMME FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS
England
Students aged 18 or over are eligible to participate in the free vaccination programme in England regardless of their nationality and immigration status.
International students need to apply for GP and have contact details of the NHS.
If there is a requirement for paying the vaccine fee, you are recommended to immediately contact your institution and Action Fraud.
Wales
Students aged 18 or over are eligible to participate in the vaccination programme in Wales regardless of their nationality and immigration status.
International students need to apply for GP or contact the local health board for the vaccination arrangement in Wales. See details about local health board at https://bit.ly/3tVa3da
Scotland
International students can have vaccination in Scotland.
International students need to apply for GP or contact Single Point of Contact (SPoC) to follow the vaccination schedule.
Northern Ireland
International students need to apply for GP to participate in a vaccination programme in Northern Ireland.
Students can access to the vaccination programme via mobile walk-in vaccination clinics or community pharmacies across Northern Ireland
You can visit the official websites of the NHS (National Health Service) and GOV.UK (the UK Government) for further information about COVID-19 in this country.
