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University of Northampton International College

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Latest Coronavirus Updates

Information added 10 December 2021

UNIC at the University of Northampton is committed to supporting staff, students and applicants through the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. While the UK has seen huge progress with regards to the vaccination programme, we continue to review all UK government guidelines to ensure the safety and wellbeing of our staff and students.

 

January 2022 intake

We are looking forward to greeting both new and returning students for our January intake. We must, however, continue to be mindful of the latest UK government guidance, which varies depending on whether you are travelling from a red list country, and whether or not you are fully vaccinated. You can read the latest guidelines here on what to do before you travel to the UK and what to do when you arrive, according to your individual circumstances.

 

Government guidance

Quarantine

Travelling from a country on the red list

Managed quarantine hotel accommodation is required for students who travel from, or through, a country on the government red list (at the time of travel).

Before you travel to England you must:

  • take a COVID-19 test – you must take the test in the two days before you travel to England
  • book a quarantine hotel package, including two COVID-19 tests
  • complete a passenger locator form

When you arrive in England, you must quarantine in a managed hotel and take two COVID-19 tests.

You must do this even if you are fully vaccinated.

 

Travelling from a country not on the red list

If you’re fully vaccinated, you must take a COVID-19 PCR test on or before day 2 after you arrive in England. If the test result is negative, you can end your quarantine immediately. If your test result is positive, you must self-isolate for 10 full days.

If you are not fully vaccinated, you must quarantine for 10 full days. 

Quarantine support

To support international students travelling to the UK for our intake in January 2022, we will refund £1,000 of the quarantine fee outlined by the UK government’s latest quarantine travel guidance.

Managed quarantine hotel accommodation is only required for students who travel from, or through, a country on the government red list (at the time of travel) and so is not relevant to all. Please carefully review terms and conditions stated below.

  • Applicable for new students joining UNIC in January 2022.
  • UNIC will only refund the cost for the student, not for any partners, spouses
  • or dependents.
  • Only applicable to new students arriving in the UK from a red list country (as stated by gov.uk on their date of travel).
  • Full deposit payment must be received by the college payment deadline (or 17 January 2022, whichever is sooner) in order to be eligible for the claim.
  • Discount will be applied to second semester fees. If studying a one-semester programme, you will receive a refund of the £1,000 at the end of your semester.
  • No upfront reimbursement or cash alternative will be offered.
  • A receipt, evidencing the full payment for UK government-managed quarantine facility, must be provided in support of the claim.
  • Students must arrive in the UK and enrol (in-person or online) by the final enrolment deadline of 11th February 2022 (for undergraduate) or 4th February 2022 (for postgraduate).
  • This quarantine package can be combined with another Navitas/college scholarship.

Study modes

For students unable to travel to Northampton for the start of our January intake, we will be offering our programmes online. If you are a new student holding a student visa ready to join us in January 2022, the UK Home Office has confirmed that, if unable to travel, you are allowed to study online from your home country until 6 April 2022. However, as we are prioritising in-person teaching on campus, we do recommend you travel to the UK as soon as is safe to do so, and transition to face-to-face at the earliest opportunity.

 

 

Information added 20 August 2021

Teaching arrangements for the 2021-22 academic year

UoN 10 Aug 2021 03:34

The University is planning to return to face-to-face teaching and a pre-COVID timetable from September. To support this, we are keeping some existing, and implementing a number of new measures to reduce any risk. In July, the Government stated mandatory restrictions on the approach to teaching and learning in Higher Education as a result of COVID-19 will be lifted, but universities should implement sensible and proportionate control measures to reduce any risk.

Our measures include the following:

Social distancing

The University had previously implemented a one-way system and a minimum of 2m of space between people navigating the estate. Keeping distance from one another is still encouraged across the estate to limit the chances of infection.

In staff workspaces, we will adapt one-in-five of our workstations with enhanced protection for those who may be at greater risk or because they cannot receive the vaccine. Screens in reception points and self-service catering areas will be retained.

The removal of social distancing in teaching rooms will enable teaching room capacity to return to its maximum and for a pre-COVID timetable to resume.

Teaching spaces

Social distancing measures in teaching rooms have been removed to enable teaching room capacity to return to its maximum and for a pre-Covid timetable to resume.

However, in order to increase capacity whilst also balancing the requirement to reduce the risk of exposure to COVID-19, it has been agreed that a number of control measure should remain or be introduced, these include:

  • Strongly recommended use of face coverings inside University buildings
  • Maintain extra space at the front of each classroom to support distancing
  • Enhanced cleaning regimes throughout the campus and retention of hygiene stations
  • Increased ventilation arrangements
  • Behaviour-based signage to encourage distance without mandating it.

For specialist spaces COVID-19 risk assessments must still be completed, with consideration for the type of activities being conducted and any higher risks including close contact, physical activities or performing arts where additional specific government guidance may be applicable.

Face coverings

Face coverings protect others against the spread of infection because they cover the nose and mouth, which are the main confirmed sources of transmission of virus that causes coronavirus infection. Whilst the wearing of face coverings is no longer a legal requirement, we will strongly urge students and staff to continue to wear face coverings inside University buildings, with the exception of staff work areas, sports facilities and catering areas.

If you would like a green lanyard so that you can identify to others that you are exempt from wearing a face mask, you should complete a risk assessment with your line manager. If, following the risk assessment, exemption from wearing a face covering is identified as a reasonable adjustment in the working environment, you will be able to collect a green lanyard from Senate reception.

More information

The latest information and detailed updates can be found on the staff intranet’s Situations Update section.

 

Information updated 29 July 2021

All information correct at time of writing

We can’t wait to welcome students into the UK this September, in a safe and supported way. There’s still a lot of uncertainty in the world right now, however the UK has seen huge progress with regards to the vaccination programme – this is a key motivator for the anticipated, and long-awaited, return of on-campus teaching in September 2021.

The UK has been gradually re-opening, and via a successful vaccination programme over 36,099,727 people have already received the second dose of their COVID-19 vaccine. (coronavirus.data.gov.uk - July 2021).

We plan to teach face-to-face from September, however we need to be flexible to be able to react to changes in the pandemic and minimise any future disruption to your studies. Therefore, we’re continuing to offer some flexible learning options for the September 2021 intake. This includes the ability to teach via face-to-face or via blended learning, as well as the availability of some programmes online.

Our student community is our priority, and we’re committed to providing a safe and high quality educational and extra-curricular experience.

If you’re a new international student ready to join us in September 2021 the UK Home Office has recently confirmed that if you are unable to travel for the start of term, you are allowed to study online from your home country until 6 April 2022. However, please note that we recommend you travel to the UK as soon as possible, and when safe to do so, and transition to on-campus learning at the earliest opportunity. To discuss online learning options, please get in touch with the college team to discuss your specific requirements. 

From the 27th September 2021, full-time online learning will not be permitted for a student who has received a student visa and has been able to travel to the UK. Students in the UK will learn via on-campus/blended learning (as described above).

What is blended learning?

Blended learning combines both face-to-face (on-campus) and online learning experiences. You’ll spend time in our safe and supportive campus environment, benefiting from face-to-face contact with your academics and classmates. This on-campus activity will include seminars, group sessions and practical elements of your course.

On-campus learning will be complemented by online learning, with access provided via our tailored Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) and live interaction experienced via Zoom.

More information

Latest government information can be found:
England: www.gov.uk/coronavirus 

Latest University of Northampton information can be found: 

Covid-19 | University of Northampton

Emergency contact details for current students

College contact details

5 January 2021 (information valid for January 2021 intake)

Last Updated: 5th January, 2021 – All information accurate at time of writing 

Latest Government Advice

Continues to be available here Coronavirus (COVID-19): guidance and support - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Advice and guidance from the University of Northampton

The University have released a COVID page for International Students:

https://www.northampton.ac.uk/international/faqs-for-international-students/

Plus a video detailing the new safety measures in place once face to face teaching returns. Click here to watch.

https://mynorthamptonac.sharepoint.com/sites/student/student-newsletters

https://www.northampton.ac.uk/about-us/situation-updates/

Student Support

We are working very closely with our current student representatives to ensure we are able to listen to our students feedback and respond where we can, there will be more information to come this week on social activities available online for students to participate in alongside further support we are putting in place to help all our existing students through this period.

Below are links to University of Northampton key academic/Library support;

online tutorials and an online drop-in service. 

All online content on NELSON and the A-Z List of Databases will continue to be accessible. 

SkillsHub 

Library our website 

librarians@northampton.ac.uk  or learningdevelopment@northampton.ac.uk.

If you are looking for the latest information on Library services and resources, please visit the Library website.

You can also use Ask Us to locate all our FAQs. Can’t find your question? Submit your question via Ask Us and we can add it the FAQs.

Key library contact:  Please visit our Contacts page for a list of team and key contacts details

Student Accommodation

If you are unable to take your place due to COVID-19 restrictions you will receive a full
refund of any fees paid.If you are unable to take your place due to COVID-19 restrictions you will receive a full
refund of any fees paid. 

If you are unable to arrive at the start of term due to COVID-related issues, you will only pay for the period of time that you occupy your accommodation. When you register for Accommodation you are given 2 options: Pay in full or Pay in instalments. If you know you will not be able to arrive until after the course enrolment date, choose pay in instalments, and you will only pay your deposit. Our Accommodation staff will then enter your arrival date and an invoice will be generated for the correct duration of occupation.

If upon arrival you are self-isolating and have booked University accommodation, we will provide a care package, free of charge. The following items will be provided in your bedroom or flat on your arrival. They are to be used during your stay but must not be taken with you when you finish your period of isolation. Bedding and towels, Crockery and cutlery, Saucepans and ovenware, Mugs and glasses, Kitchen utensils, Rice cooker, Cleaning materials, Toiletries, Sanitary products, Toilet roll, Washing powder and fabric softner.

Basic essentials such as rice, pasta and dry goods will be provided in each kitchen and will be supplemented with items for breakfast and lunch every couple of days. A variety of evening meals will be available for you to order and will be delivered cold, for you to re-heat when you are ready. Supermarket deliveries and takeaways can also be arranged at your expense.

You should be aware that there are variations in the COVID-19 regulations across the different countries of the UK and local where it is deemed necessary to control the spread of the virus.

Details of the situation in Northampton can be found on the Northampton Borough Council website.

Please direct any queries to UNIC.StudentServices@unic.northampton.ac.uk or accommodation@northampton.ac.uk

Travel

We strongly urge you to check the most up to date government and UoN advice on travel here https://www.gov.uk/guidance/travel-advice-novel-coronavirus and here; https://www.northampton.ac.uk/international/faqs-for-international-students/ before booking any travel of any description.

At present, the Uk Government is uging International Students to NOT travel to the UK to start their courses, but to instead enrol and commence the study programme. Only when travel restrictions ease and it becomes possible for students to travel to the UK for face to face study should you then request a CAS to get a VISA. 

The vignette issued by UKVI overseas is only valid for 90 days, so you must be ready to travel within this time.

Emergency Contact Details for Current Students

College Contact Details

Government Links

Travel Advice