International Student Update: Covid-19 Testing and Engaging with your Studies

Please be aware that this information was shared with students by email and correct at the time of sending. For the latest Covid-19 guidance, please visit our coronavirus webpages: www.wlv.ac.uk/coronavirus. If you are a student who has a query or needs support, please log a helpcall with ASK@WLV in e:Vision (www.wlv.ac.uk/evision).

The Government announced a travel window for students from 3 – 9 December 2020 and you will have previously received a communication about the last dates for on campus teaching for your course. This Update is also available to view on the Student News pages.

If you are planning to leave your accommodation, we are asking students to get tested for Covid-19 as early as possible.  This will help to ensure that you can travel safely and protect your loved ones.

If you plan to travel overseas, you need to consider the restrictions on entry to the country in question, such as whether you would need to undertake a period of self-isolation in that country, and whether you would need to self-isolate when you return.

There is specific advice for each country available on this website and we advise that you check this information carefully: https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice

We are working with our local authorities to enable testing to take place and this is available to those who do not have Covid-19 symptoms. If you have Covid-19 symptoms, you should get a test and follow the normal testing and reporting procedures.

If you are planning to leave your accommodation

We are asking you to get tested for Covid-19 as early as possible, to ensure you can travel home for Christmas safely.

Pre-book a test at the Faulkland Street testing centre in Wolverhampton

• There is a pre-bookable service available from Friday, 27 November until Friday 4 December 2020. This testing site is open 8 am–8 pm, 7 days a week. 
• You can pre-book your appointment for a test at the Faulkland Street testing centre, by visiting gov.uk/get-coronavirus-testor by calling 119.  
• When you pre-book online, please tick the box marked ‘My local council or health protection team has asked me to get a test, even though I do not have symptoms’. 
• You must enter your term-time address. 

Collect a home test kit from City, Walsall or Telford Campus

Collect your test from 11 am at one of the locations on the dates listed below, complete the test in your residence, and deliver it back on the same day as soon as possible, before 4 pm. 

• City Campus: Monday 30 November – Friday 4 December, collect at The Chaplaincy
• Walsall Campus: Wednesday 2 and Thursday 3 December, collect at the Student Hub (WA005) in the Jerome k Jerome (WA) building
• Telford Campus: Tuesday 1 December, collect from the Priorslee Lounge in Priorslee Hall

Advice and support on administering the test will be made available to you. This self-testing kit video provides a step-by-step guide to taking the test.

When collecting your home test kit, please ensure you are following all on campus safety guidelines, this includes wearing a face covering, maintaining 2 metre safe distance from those around you and following all instructions (including signs and floor markings). 

You should wait to receive your test results before departing from your accommodation. Undertaking the tests during this period will allow for your results to be returned and still have enough time to arrange departure plans before Christmas. 

What happens next?

If your test result is positive, you will be required to self-isolate for 10 days from the date of your test, this will allow you the time to travel home or back to your non-term-time address before the Christmas period.

If you are identified as a close contact of a positive case, you will be required to self-isolate for 14 days, but the self-isolation period will be permitted to be carried out at your non-term time address.

If you receive a positive test result, we ask that you email: Covid-19help@wlv.ac.uk and complete the online Covid-19 Reporting form.

Studying Online

For all teaching that can be transferred online, the last day for on campus teaching will be Friday 4 December. Courses which have practical sessions will end on campus teaching by Tuesday 8 December. Your module leaders will be in contact with details about the transfer to online teaching for the remainder of term, which finishes on Friday 18 December.

If you are studying on a tier 4 or student route visa you are required, by the Home Office and the University, to attend all of your timetabled classes and to be fully engaged with your course. Poor attendance or failure to engage with your programme may impact your visa and your permission to remain in the UK. If you are withdrawn through this procedure, your visa will be cancelled and you will be required to leave the UK. Attendance at all timetabled events is monitored via an electronic register system compiled by your lecturers.

It is important that you maintain regular attendance on your programme of study and fulfil the academic requirements of your programme.

If you have not yet entered the UK due to visa delays, or are in the self-isolation period after arrival, you must engage with your course through Canvas. This will be monitored and you will only be able to continue your course in person if you have fully engaged.

Support for Students

Support is available for students who are self-isolating in University accommodation, including access to food and laundry services. Information about this is available on the University’s self isolating support pages. 

Students should be aware that travel advice may change while you are overseas, and are advised to regularly check all relevant GOV.UK guidance pages for updates.

If you are looking for help and advice for anything related to your course (such as leave of absence, extenuating circumstances or assignment hand-in) you should contact your Faculty Student Services on the e:Vision Helpdesk.

To access support outside your course, please email internationalsupport@wlv.ac.uk, with your student number. Find out more about the student support services available to you here: www.wlv.ac.uk/support  

Thank you, and stay safe.

Tim Steele

Pro Vice-Chancellor (International)