Students returning to the UK from overseas should check additional entry requirements and restrictions that have been introduced due to COVID-19 before travelling to the UK. All international arrivals are required to complete a passenger locator form on arrival in the UK, and passengers travelling from a country not on the exemption (travel corridor) list will need to self-isolate in their accommodation for 10 days.
If you are required to self-isolate upon arrival, you should only use public transport if you have no other option and you should follow safer travel guidance for passengers.
Since 15 December 2020, students have the option to take an accredited COVID-19 test from a private testing provider after five days of self-isolation, and a negative test result would release you from the need to isolate from day six. More information is available on the Test to Release scheme. Your university should advise you of appropriate local private testing facilities.
Students who have chosen to self-isolate for ten days instead of taking a private PCR test to release do not need to take a further LFD test at the end of their self-isolation period in order to return to campus.
Separate to the Test to Release scheme, universities will be providing asymptomatic testing as part of their spring term plans.
As such, all students, including returning international students, should arrange to get tested upon arrival in the UK. Getting tested is free, and students will usually get the results in under an hour. Students should get tested twice, three days apart, even if their first test is negative.
It is important to remember that while levels of COVID-19 infection remain high across the community, those returning to face-to-face education after a negative test must still exercise caution and follow national guidance on social distancing, wearing face coverings and hand hygiene. All students should follow the national lockdown rules.
