Important information for Visiting & Exchange students starting in January 2021

We are delighted that you accepted your study abroad offer to start in January 21.

The UK has now entered a new national lockdown and increased restrictions on travel due to a rise in coronavirus cases. We wanted to provide you with an update on what this means for the start of your course at University of Sussex this spring term.

Current lockdown restrictions

To control the spread of Covid-19 and reduce pressure on the national health services, everyone in the UK must follow the national lockdown restrictions. Find out more information about the new lockdown restrictions . These restrictions are very clear, everyone must stay at home wherever possible, unless to shop for food or other essential items, for medical needs, or to exercise.

Change your travel plans if you can

At this moment, teaching for your course will need to be delivered online. This will now need to be at least until 5 March 2021. We will give you as much advance notice as possible about any extension to this. Until then you should start your course remotely and should not arrive on campus. Please note the following:

• all students should not travel to campus and instead begin their studies online at home.
• the advice for all international students travelling from overseas is that you should consider delaying travel plans only if travel plans can be rearranged without undue costs.

• some countries are banned from travelling to the UK. Make sure your country is not on the list before arriving. Find out more.

Entering and returning to the UK

The Government has announced increased restrictions on travel to the UK and stricter procedures for quarantine which will come into effect on Monday 15 February 2021.

If you are unable to move your flight, you must comply with the following rules:

• You must provide a negative Covid-19 test result before you travel to the UK. Find out more.
• You must take two PCR tests, on day 2 and day 8 of their quarantine. For these tests, you must book through the Government portal before you travel.

• You must complete a passenger locator form before you arrive in the UK.
• You must self-isolate in your accommodation for 10 days and complete the Covid-19 self-isolation form to the University

These restrictions will be enforced and there are strict fines for people who do not comply. 

Support for students during self isolation

The University of Sussex will support all students arriving at Sussex who need to self-isolate with the University’s self-isolation support package.

On arrival to the UK, you will need to go to your accommodation to immediately self-isolate.

View our webpages which provide information on how we support our students in isolation.

If you are planning to live in university-managed accommodation, you will not be charged for your accommodation until you arrive.

Check out our Frequently Asked Questions for more guidance.

Start online in January

Our teaching staff are strongly committed to ensuring that you receive the highest quality online experience possible. In order to start your course online please do the following:

• Please check your email for our registration information and complete all the tasks for Online Registration
• Once you have registered, look up your Get Settled timetable for January Welcome Week: log into Sussex Direct, select your study timetable and view the activities for January Welcome Week, beginning Monday 18 January. There'll be talks and activities happening each day, to help you get settled at Sussex.

Get in contact

We are working closely with the Government on the new guidance and we will continue to be in touch. If you would like to talk to us to discuss arrival, online learning, and your study, please email sussexabroad@sussex.ac.uk and we can answer your questions.

Frequently asked questions

• When do I need to arrive?

  The UK Prime Minister has announced a new national lockdown, meaning that teaching for your course will need to be delivered online at least until the 5 March 2021. Only students undertaking training and study at Sussex for degrees in Medicine, Teaching and Social Work will return to face-to-face learning as planned.

  The advice for all international students travelling from overseas is that you should consider delaying travel plans only if travel plans can be rearranged without undue costs. If you are able to move your flight, please ensure that you register an impediment to travel during online registration. If you are unable to move your flight, you must comply with the rules set out by the UK government before you arrive. 

  We will aim to give you as much advance notice as possible about any extension to the lockdown.

  Please read our Travel to Sussex advice before you take your flight.

• When should I make the visa application?

  To help you keep up to date with all the changes, we will be constantly updating our visa-related webpages during the national lockdown. If you have any specific questions, please contact our immigration advisers using this form.

• Can I complete the Spring term entirely online? (Semester/Year students)

  Should face-to-face teaching resume, you might be asked to come to Sussex to complete your term at a short notice. This will be reviewed in mid-February. The Sussex Abroad Office will let you know as soon as specific plans are made. For now, you are required to register and start the term remotely.

• I have booked the flight to arrive in February, will I be turned away at the border?

  If you cannot change your travel plans, you can still arrive in the UK. You must comply with all the rules and requirements set out by the UK government. Find out what you need to do before you travel.

  Please email the Housing Office on housing@sussex.ac.uk to let them know your time of arrival in advance and your accommodation at the university will be ready (you will need to check with your estate agent/landlord if you are staying in private accommodation). 

  Additional information on traveling to campus can be found on the Travel to Sussex advice pages.

• Do I need to take a Covid-19 test before my departure?

  Yes, you must have proof of a negative coronavirus test to travel to England. If you fail to provide it, you may not be able to board and could be fined £500 on arrival to England. We cannot offer advice on testing so you must read the UK Government guidance before you depart.

  In addition, all international arrivals to the UK are required by law to take two PCR tests, on day 2 and day 8 of their quarantine. For these tests, you must book through the Government portal before you travel.

  These restrictions will be enforced and there are strict fines for people who do not comply.
  

• How do I register as a student with Sussex?

  Look out for our registration email and complete all the tasks for Online Registration. If you have any queries about registration please contact studentprogress@sussex.ac.uk.

• How will I start my course online?

  Students studying remotely will be able to access Canvas, our virtual learning environment, where you will find details of the learning and teaching of your course.

  Monitor your Canvas site for details about your learning activities. You will find essential readings or preparatory tasks as well as details of scheduled contact – whether it's face-to-face or online. Where online synchronous contact is planned your Sussex Direct timetable will show the location as 'Online' and advise you to check Canvas for details.

  As a starting point, we have guidance on the technology you need to study with us. We also advise you download the SussexMobile app to your smartphone.

  Other Sussex materials designed specifically for you include Skills Hub, which has tips on time management, essay writing, referencing guidance and advice on digital wellbeing.

  See our guidance about assistive technology for students, such as support for learners with literacy difficulties.

• I cannot see my timetable and I don’t know my modules (Semester/Year students)

  Don’t worry - this is normal. Sometimes it can take a while for students to be enrolled on their chosen modules. If you are worried about it, contact your School of Study. The contact details are on your offer letter. If the issue persists, contact sussexabroad@sussex.ac.uk

• Do I have to pay for my university-managed accommodation if I arrive late due to Coronavirus restrictions?

  No, you will pay from the day you arrive.

• What self-isolation supports are available if I arrive before the middle of February? What facilities will remain open on campus before the middle of February?

  Yes, the University of Sussex will support all students arriving at Sussex who need to self-isolate with the University’s self-isolation support package. View our self-isolation webpages which provide information on how we support our students in isolation.

  The following facilities will remain open:

  • Doctors
  • Pharmacy
  • Student Life Centre / Student Support Unit (virtual)
  • Student Union advice service (virtual)
  • Security Team
  • Falmer Bar open for takeaway
  • Co-op Supermarket
• What will Welcome Week be like under the new UK Government Coronavirus restrictions?

  Once students have registered, they would need to look up their Get Settled timetable for January Welcome Week. Please log into Sussex Direct, select your study timetable and view the activities for January Welcome Week, beginning Monday 18 January. There will be talks and activities happening each day, to help you get settled at Sussex.

  Students will have a set timetable to follow, but all sessions will be recorded and uploaded to Canvas, where they can access anything they can't see live, or want to re-watch. There'll also be content such as videos, some student-led, where they can access important/useful information.

  Through the Get Ready programme, all content will be on a Canvas module, on demand: videos and recordings of webinars students can watch in their own time. (The module will be live next week).

• How do I withdraw/defer my place? (Semester/Year students)

  You can withdraw/defer by emailing sussexabroad@sussex.ac.uk

  You must speak to your home university about your decision so they are aware of your plans.