On Thursday 9 December, Student Communications emailed all taught students with an update:

Dear students,

On Wednesday 8 December the UK government announced new measures that will be introduced from Monday 13 December, to help reduce the spread of Covid-19.  For Sussex students these new measures mean:

• It remains a legal requirement to wear face coverings in shops (as announced by the Prime Minister on Saturday 27 November) and on public transport, unless exempt.
• In addition, mandatory masks will be introduced in most public venues.
• Face coverings, unless exempt, must be worn in crowded and enclosed spaces on campus - including in all teaching spaces, the Meeting House and in the library at all times (including when sitting at your study desk). Please, follow the instructions indicated by signage. This signage is very visible across the campus.
• Vaccine passports will now be required for larger unseated indoor venues with more than 500 people. Read information on the Student Hub about how to get your vaccine.
• Vaccination is critical in helping to minimise transmission against this new variant and we strongly advise all to consider vaccinations and booster jabs.
• Please, remember to get a Covid lateral flow test (LFD) before you travel home. You can get a free box of lateral flow device (LFD) test kits in one of the collection points on campus or order them online. 

 
These new measures will not affect your in-person teaching and learning experience which will continue until teaching ends in December – and unless the current UK Government guidance and rules change between now and the start of term – in-person teaching and learning will continue next term as well.  We will keep you informed of any changes.
 
Now please read on for essential information about your teaching and learning when you return to Sussex after the Winter vacation:

Semester 2 teaching and learning information

With the great majority of teaching finishing tomorrow, we want to provide an update to all students on our plans for teaching and learning in Semester 2.  As a reminder teaching will start on 24 January, following a period of exams and assessments in early January.
 
In Semester 2 we will continue to provide teaching and learning in-person and on campus. We know from student feedback that this is the preferred teaching and learning method for the majority of our students.
 
As a result we expect students returning after the Winter vacation to be on campus for the start of teaching. 
 
We know that some students (on certain courses) will be required to return for in-person examinations during the A1 assessment period because of professional, statutory and regulatory body requirements (PSRB) – and those students will be sent a separate communication directly from their School.
 
We know that not all students will be in the same situation and some may not be able to return to campus for face to face teaching, so please read all of the remainder of this message which includes information for:

• UK students
• students with health reasons that mean they can’t travel or study in-person
• students who have not yet arrived on campus for in-person teaching and learning
• international students who are yet to take up their place in-person
• visa advice for international students

UK student information

If you’re a UK student and you have attended teaching and learning in person at Sussex this term, we look forward to seeing you at the beginning of Semester 2 for the start of teaching on Monday 24 January.
 

Students with health reasons that mean they can’t travel or study in-person

If you have declared an immune supressed condition as part of your initial registration you will be able to access teaching and learning online during semester 2. Please contact your School office if you have any questions about accessing your education, or your eligibility to study remotely.
 

Students who have not yet arrived on campus for in-person teaching and learning

We are expecting all students who have not yet been able to travel to campus for in-person teaching to be preparing to do so for Semester 2. The latest arrival date is 14 February 2022, unless you have a serious health impediment such as an auto-immune condition that would mean you cannot attend teaching and learning opportunities in person.
 
If you are a student who may have to quarantine on return to the UK for Semester 2, you will be required to meet the costs of any potential quarantine from your own funds if you are coming from a UK government designated red list country after 10 December 2021.
 

International Students who are yet to take up their place in person

We know that some students will continue to have Covid-19 related reasons which may delay their return at the start of Semester 2.  These could be because:
 

• They are a resident in a country which currently prohibits travel to the UK
• A visa application has been delayed because of local administrative problems
• A student has COVID-19, or symptoms of COVID and must self-isolate
• They are subject to other legal restrictions that prevent travel

 
We strongly encourage all international students to return 14 February 2022 at the latest. Please be aware that if you are an international student who is currently studying remotely, you will jeopardise your sponsored visa status if you fail to return to Sussex by 6 April 2022.
 
Any necessary quarantine periods will need to be completed before you attend in-person teaching. You should check the relevant UK government designated red list country information to see if you need to quarantine. Please note this list is subject to change and we encourage all international students to check it on a regular basis if they are outside of the UK.
 
If you are a student on a Tier 4 visa with an immune suppressed condition that prevents you from travelling we will look at this on an individual basis and advise accordingly.

Visa advice for international students

If you have any questions about your Visa please contact our immigration advisors for advice on your circumstances.
 

Staying informed

We continually review and update the Student Hub, so please do check in on a regular basis to keep up to date. You can also find out how where you can get further advice, guidance on issues that may be affecting you as a student.
 
Please also do check your Sussex email address for any updates, as we will continue to communicate with you after term ends and in the new year.

We wish you all the very best for the holiday and festive season.

Student Communications