Last updated: 12:00 GMT 12.02.2021
Travelling to study in the UK
If, and when, you are planning on travelling to the UK to study on campus with us please be aware that a number of new rules have been introduced for ALL visitors arriving into the UK to help guard against the spread of COVID-19
For all UK International Study Centre/College students
Negative COVID-19 test result requirement for travel to the United Kingdom
The UK Government has introduced a requirement for all international travellers to the UK to have had a negative test for COVID-19 up to 72 hours before travel. This applies to all transport routes, including planes, passenger ferries and EuroStar trains.
The Government has made it very clear that a negative test result does not avoid the need for self-isolation upon arrival in the UK.
You must self-isolate for 10 days when arriving in the UK from all countries except the Republic of Ireland. (The ‘travel corridor’ list of exempted countries has been withdrawn.) You can only end self-isolation early if you pay for a private COVID-19 test through the ‘Test to Release’ scheme.”
Please note that travellers from a number of countries including UAE, South America, Panama, Portugal, and Cabo Verde, are not currently allowed to enter the UK. For a full list please refer to the UK government website.
How the negative testing will work
Airlines and other transport providers will be expected to enforce this rule. Passengers attempting to travel without a negative test may be potentially denied boarding.
The test result will be incorporated into the Passenger Locator Form that all arrivals need to complete.
The new rules will be enforced by law; anyone attempting to enter the United Kingdom without a valid negative test result will be denied entry and could be fined at least £500.
Full details of the test requirements are on the UK Government website here. Please check these pages regularly as the rules may change at short notice.
Planning your travel
There are details of planning your travel to the UK, and what to expect on arrival, here.
Starting your course
Following recent changes by the UK Government regarding COVID-19 restrictions, if you are starting your course in the next few weeks, it is very important that you please let us know how you will be starting your course. You may already have done this, however, we are asking if you could update the online registration form and complete the very short pre-arrival form. This will ensure that you have the best possible experience when you start your studies with us.
Whether you start your programme virtually from home or travel to the UK, your course will be online for a period of time at the start of the year. Universities in England are currently closed until the middle of February and your course will be with virtual online learning until this time. We will advise you separately when your course will transfer from virtual learning to blended learning*, a mixture of virtual and face to face teaching.
Changes to COVID-19 restrictions and latest information on these can be found below, on this page.
If you choose to travel and are travelling from a country not on the UK exemption (travel corridor) list you will need to self-isolate in your accommodation for 10 days when you arrive in the UK. Please note that this list is subject to change, often at short notice.
We would like to take this opportunity to assure you that your health, welfare and education is at the centre of everything we do. Our aim is to help you achieve your educational ambitions and to get you where you want to be.
*For all students studying at University of Huddersfield International Study Centre and University of Huddersfield – London, your course will be online until the middle of February when you will need to return to the centres for face to face learning. We will contact you again to let you know if this information changes.
England
The UK Government has announced new COVID-19 rules which take effect immediately from 5 January 2021 until further notice.
Due to Government regulations, all of our centres and colleges are closed with virtual teaching only taking place until the middle of February and the following lockdown rules and restrictions are in place:
- Stay home - only leave for work, essential shopping, exercise or medical appointments
- Exercise allowed outdoors once a day, in your local area. You can exercise with your household, support bubble, or one other person
- Schools closed except for vulnerable children and children of critical workers. Universities and colleges closed
- No household mixing indoors or outdoors unless in your support or childcare bubble
- Non-essential shops, leisure and entertainment venues closed
- Pubs and restaurants closed, but takeaway food permitted.
Further information about local restrictions in place in each location can be found on the Latest COVID-19 Government advice websites.