International Student Update: Information for students in the UK and those studying from their home

I hope you are keeping safe and well. We currently have international students studying in the UK and their home country, and this update is for both groups.  

This update covers: 

• Return to campus update - for international students currently in the UK 
• Travelling to England - for international students studying in their home country  
• Engaging with your studies and monitoring attendance 
• Updating your contact details 
• Students’ Union virtual drop-in sessions
• Staying up to date with the latest information from the University 

Return to campus update - for international students currently in the UK 

Earlier this week, the Government announced that those courses that have not yet been permitted to return to campus for teaching will now be able to do so from Monday, 17 May, at the earliest.  

By this time, semester two teaching and assessment for undergraduate courses will have completed. This means undergraduate students on non-practical courses will complete the remainder of their studies for this academic year online.  

Postgraduate courses will have two weeks of semester two teaching remaining. We are now planning for postgraduate students to return to blended learning, including teaching on campus, from Monday, 17 May. This means that you have the opportunity for some of your sessions to be held on campus, with social distancing, as we had in the first semester. Your course teams will contact you with further details over the next couple of weeks. 

Students are advised to check their timetable in the MyWLV app for the most up to date arrangements for teaching on their course. Please remember that before you return to campus, you must take two Covid-19 tests.  

I appreciate that the Government’s announcement will be extremely disappointing for those hoping to return to teaching on campus this semester. 

If you are not living in your University accommodation, we will continue not to charge you for accommodation fees. 

Please read the student update, shared by email on Wednesday, 14 April, for more information.  

Travelling to England - for international students studying in their home country 

Engaging with your studies and monitoring attendance  

If you are studying on a tier 4 or student route visa, you are required by the Home Office and the University to fully engage with your programme, which includes attendance at all of your timetabled classes and online sessions in Canvas.   

Poor attendance or failure to engage with your programme will impact your visa and your permission to remain in, or travel to, the UK. Attendance at all timetabled events, including online sessions, is monitored via an electronic register system compiled by your lecturers.  

If you are withdrawn from your course through this procedure, your visa will be cancelled, and you will be required to leave or lose permission to travel to the UK.   

Updating your contact details  

To support the welfare of all our students, your contact details must always be kept up to date. Please ensure that where you live now (even if this is only temporary) is recorded in your term time address (this may, or may not be, the same as your permanent home address).   

• Log in to your e:Vision  
• Select the My Details button on the home page menu.  
• Select the View/Edit Personal Information button  
• Use the Edit buttons to update each section  

Students’ Union virtual drop-in sessions for international students 

Every Monday, the Students’ Union hold a virtual drop-in session for international students, where you can ask any questions and get advice on various topics.   

The next virtual drop-in session will take place on Monday, 26 April, at 5:30 pm.  

Student support and wellbeing 

Studying during this time may challenge you in unexpected ways, especially when you're balancing your studies with work and home commitments. If you feel stressed or anxious, you can find the support you need at the University.   

Your Faculty Student Services should be the first point of call to access support and advice, and the easiest way to contact them is by the e:Vision Helpdesk.  

All of our students can access online mental health and wellbeing support 24/7 through Togetherall – an online community monitored by trained clinicians. If you feel that you need advice or extra support, please check our self help resources webpage or complete the mental health and wellbeing support registration form.    

Find out more about the student support services available to you here:  www.wlv.ac.uk/support   

Stay up to date with the latest information  

Please keep checking your University WLV emails and reading these updates. We are committed to keeping students up to date. We do this by email, on our social media channels (Instagram,  Twitter and Facebook) and the University student news web page.  

Visit our dedicated Covid-19 webpages for information on how you can stay safe and help protect our University community during the pandemic.  

Thank you, and stay safe. 

Tim Steele 

Pro Vice-Chancellor Global Opportunities