Covid information for students

The UK Government has set out its plan for 'living with Covid'. Jump to what you're looking for below: 

Covid vaccination

We encourage all students to take up vaccination against Covid-19 provided by the NHS. This includes international students - anybody aged 12 or over in the UK is eligible for the Covid-19 vaccination for free, regardless of their nationality or immigration status. 

Getting vaccinated

There's more information on Covid and other vaccinations on MyPort. Many appointments are available across the city at the St James' Hospital site in Milton, as well as local pharmacies. Find an appointment on the NHS website.

International students

If you're an international student with questions about vaccination or other Covid issues, please check the International Student Frequently Asked Questions.

Covid testing

If you don't have coronavirus symptoms

If you don't have symptoms, you can order rapid lateral flow testing kits from the Government website until 1 April 2022. 

If you have coronavirus symptoms

If you have symptoms of coronavirus, book your PCR test through the Government's national booking portal. 

If you test positive for Covid, you must inform:

• your MyPort Hub
• personal tutor
• and the University's central team using this Covid Report Form

Wellbeing support

If you want to speak to someone about your experiences, or are finding coping with Covid tough, you can get help through:

• A free, anonymous chat service via the WhatsUp app, to talk to professional wellbeing staff
• Free 20 minute advice sessions with wellbeing advisers. They are bookable on the day, on a first-come-first-served basis, and usually take place by phone.
• Register for one-to-one help from the University's Student Wellbeing Service
• Student Space from the mental health charity Student Minds, aims to help you find the support you need during coronavirus, including resources on wellbeing, and access to one-to-one support from trained volunteers.
• Help in, or with, your accommodation via the Res Life Team on reslife@port.ac.uk or calling +44 (0)23 9284 3789.

Financial help

If you're facing financial difficulties because of Covid, you might be eligible for a grant from the University Support Fund.

Teaching and assessments

Teaching

There are no changes planned to our existing model of delivery for blended and connected learning for the remainder of this academic year.

For international students who can’t travel because of Covid travel restrictions, we're extending blended delivery for the whole of Teaching Block 2 and will expect you to join us on campus when you can.

Current UKVI regulations state that all students on a Student Route visa must be studying in the UK by 6 April 2022. This is the latest day you can arrive so we encourage students to arrive in the UK much earlier than 6 April 2022. At present the UK Government has not introduced any concessions to this requirement.

You need to let your MyPort Hub know of your study intentions should they change. If you have questions, you can contact your Personal Tutor for advice.

Assessments

Teaching Block 2 - from Monday 7 February 2022

We're continuing with on-campus teaching for Teaching Block 2 for UK-based students and international students who are already in the UK. 

Assessments affected by Covid

If your assessments are affected by Covid, you may be able to apply for extenuating circumstances to reflect the impact it’s had on your work.

Travel, study or work abroad

You can find out more about how Covid may affect your plans to travel or study abroad in our guidance for the 2021/22 academic year.

Covid on campus

Safety measures on campus

Face masks and social distancing are no longer mandated, but we encourage you to be respectful of staff and students who may wish to continue to observe these measures. 

Masks will still be worn in some specialist areas such as labs and clinical settings. Staff and students will be told if masks are required when using these spaces.

Students who are immunosuppressed

If you have a medical condition that puts you at an increased risk of developing serious illness from catching Covid-19, it is advisable that you discuss this with your GP or a similar medical professional.

You should raise any concerns you may have with your personal tutor, being sure to follow any guidance or medical advice that was provided to you. You and your personal tutor should then work together to put in place sensible measures to allow you to safely attend campus for scheduled teaching, or consider other approaches such as blended or distance learning if other mitigations are not possible.