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Home Coronavirus – Applicant FAQs

Coronavirus - Applicant FAQs

Updated: 15 October 2021

We know that many applicants and enquirers will have questions or concerns about their planned studies at Northumbria University, and we hope that these frequently asked questions will help reassure our new students who are yet to join us.

We are here to support you, so please contact us if you have any questions which aren’t answered below or you would like to chat. We will communicate regularly with all students who have applied to us.

If you were looking for general information for updates related to Covid-19 from the University, they can be found here.

All information is accurate at the time of sharing. Courses starting in 2021 are offered as a mix of face to face and online learning. We continue to monitor government and local authority guidance in relation to Covid-19 and we are ready and able to flex accordingly to ensure the health and safety of our students and staff. Contact time is subject to increase or decrease in line with additional restrictions imposed by the government or the University in the interest of maintaining the health and safety and wellbeing of students, staff, and visitors, potentially to a full online offer, should further restrictions be deemed necessary in future. Our online activity will be delivered through Blackboard Ultra, enabling collaboration, connection and engagement with materials and people.

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Your studies

Yes, all intakes are going ahead as planned.

If there are any changes, our team will contact you. Please be assured we are continually reviewing the current situation in relation to Covid-19 and if there are any subsequent changes, we will advise you as soon as possible so that you have time to get ready to join your studies as planned.

We are following all Government guidance and regulations to ensure we are delivering you the best learning experience with our top priority the health and safety of our students, staff and communities. Your core teaching is planned to be delivered on campus, so you have access to tutors, support services and study facilities. However, as the Covid-19 situation is constantly changing we will adapt and shift our processes in line with any changes and updates to the Government guidance.

Throughout the course of 2020 we successfully transitioned all learning online including the support services available to you, so please be assured no matter the challenges presented by the Covid-19 pandemic we will be able to adapt to ensure the continuity of your learning.

If you are not able to provide a financial guarantee letter confirming your sponsorship by the deadline, you can defer your offer to the next available intake or decide to continue by paying your minimum deposit.

Yes. We are happy to defer you to a later intake to meet your own personal circumstances. We recognise that there is significant uncertainty with Covid-19 and are keen to support our applicants accordingly.

It is important that we all continue to work together to reduce the spread of Covid-19 including washing hands regularly, wearing a face covering, adhering to social distancing and meeting outside in the open air where possible.

The University has made a wide range of changes to ensure the health and wellbeing of all students and staff. This includes enhanced cleaning across buildings and ensuring all social spaces are Covid-19 secure.

You can find out more about the steps being taken on-campus by checking the Northumbria University Covid-19 FAQs here.

We understand that there is ongoing disruption to global travel and we are here to support you whatever your circumstances may be. Please check the UK Government guidance on entering the UK here, before travelling. We are here to support you and will work to ensure your learning is impacted as little as possible during this time of uncertainty. If you require further support please contact us and we will assist you.

For successful studying on your pathway programme, we recommend that you have access to:

  • Laptop or desktop computer
  • Wi-Fi/broadband
  • Access to Word, Excel or other desktop functionalities
  • The university has its own virtual learning environment (VLE), here you will find all your materials and any special software required

You will be given access to the University’s resources via the internet. As such you should have access to:

  • A computer (desktop/laptop) that is less than 5 years old
  • Speakers/headphones/earbuds for listening to audio or videos presented
  • Webcam – many laptops will have these inbuilt

Whilst you will be able to access study materials and any online sessions via smartphone, we do recommend that you have access to a tablet/laptop or a PC for ease of use and completing assessments. You will also be able to use the computers on campus.

You will also need access to a stable internet connection. As a registered student, you will be able to access Office 365 via Microsoft’s arrangements for students.

We are aware that some applicants may be unable to book tests. The University accepts a wide variety of English tests and exemptions that may offer an alternative, including the QA Higher Education English test.

If you have specific questions about evidencing your English language, please contact us directly and we can discuss your options with you.

You can also find Covid-19 updates through the following links:

Yes, and for some courses with limited spaces we recommend that you do. You can reserve your space by paying the full deposit of £5500 for the course or pay a place holder fee of £500. You will need to pay the full deposit and meet the financial requirements for your CAS to be issued.

Please refer to your Terms and Conditions.

Fees and finance

No, your course fee will remain the same as we continue to monitor the Covid-19 situation and adhere to all Government guidance. As outlined in the previous question, we are planning to deliver your course on-campus, combined with online materials to further support your learning. Should the situation in the UK change and it is necessary we will provide an extensive online course option which is designed to mirror your classroom experience as closely as possible, including live lectures and access to all the same support services you would normally receive.

Yes. Our standard deposit refund policy which can be found on the Terms and Conditions of your Offer continues to apply and we will of course refund your deposit in those scenarios.

In addition, if you are adversely affected by Covid-19, which impacts your ability to meet the conditions of your offer or your entry to the UK due to travel restrictions, we will also refund your deposit and discuss possible deferral options with you.

Yes.  We are flexible with your payment options and are happy to discuss your individual requirements if your fees are a concern.

Please contact us directly on +44 (0) 203 944 6272

In line with Government guidance our course fees will not change regardless of whether you are attending on campus or studying online, as we are delivering the same course content with the same academic staff online as on campus, albeit delivered remotely. You will be able to access the same high-quality teaching materials, observe the same sessions and interact with your classmates, although virtually rather than face to face. As soon as you are able to join us on campus we will be glad to welcome you.

Travel, accommodation and studying in the UK

UKCISA has a range of information and advice for International Applicants and Students, including a Covid-19 FAQ section which is regularly updated

You must take a Covid-19 test before you travel to England if you either:

  • Do not qualify as fully vaccinated for travel to the UK. Please check the Government guidance on qualifying as fully vaccinated here
  • Have been in a country or territory on the red list in the 10 days before you arrive in the UK

For detailed information on the type of test, when and where to take the test, please monitor the Government guidance as this is subject to change.

Documents required on arrival:

  • Complete a passenger locator form detailing where you will quarantine upon arrival
  • Proof of study documents

We recommend that you regularly check the relevant Government guidance pages as advice may change. Please also remember to follow the Government’s safer travel guidelines, and plan ahead to avoid busy times.

Due to Covid-19, the UK Government has implemented rules for those arriving in the UK from overseas.

This guidance is subject to change and therefore we recommend you check the latest Government guidance here on what to do before you travel to the UK. The latest Government guidance on border control explains how and for what period you will need to self-isolate when travelling to the UK. It may also include advice which is specific to you based on the country you are travelling from, together with guidance on how to travel safely from the airport.

If you are travelling to the UK to join us, please complete this online form with your travel information. This will allow the team at QA Higher Education to know when you are arriving and gives us the opportunity to provide any additional advice, guidance and support before and upon your arrival to the UK. This is particularly important should you be arriving from a country where you may need to self-isolate on arrival in the UK.

Please note that this guidance is subject to change so we recommend that you check the guidance regularly.

Yes. Our accommodation support team will be happy to help.

You can find much more information on the QA Higher Education website here.

If you would like to speak to someone, please contact QAHE.accommodation@qa.com or +44(0)203 6276101.

You will need a valid transit visa to enter the UK. If your transit vignette has expired, you will need to apply for a replacement by completing the online form. The cost of replacing an expired 90-day vignette is £154 and you will need to make an appointment to resubmit your biometric information. We strongly advise that you only apply for a new visa, or apply to replace an expired vignette, when you are confident you can travel to the UK. The new vignette will be valid for a period of 90 days. If you cannot travel during this time, you may need to apply again to update your vignette. Please check UK Visa and Immigration for more information.

Transit dates, obtaining your CAS and visa

Yes, the university are still issuing CAS for you to apply for your visa.

Many visa centres have reopened. You can find a visa application centre and keep up to date with the last information here.

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