Travel Information

Before you make travel arrangements it is important to keep the following information in mind: 

Check if you can travel 

Travelling during term is not permitted,  all your travel plans should be during the official university holidays advertised in our term dates. However, if you find yourself in a situation where you cannot attend your classes you can ask your Course Leader to allow you to have an authorised absence of up to 3 weeks. If you feel like you cannot attend classes after the 3 weeks authorised absence passed, you will be required to take a break from your studies. 

Remote Study and your Student visa 

UK Visas & Immigration (UKVI) have announced that the concessions allowing Student Visa holders to study remotely ended on 30 June 2022. From 1 July 2022, Student Visa holders must be physically present on campus for study. 

Departures 

Whether you are travelling home to spend time with your family during the official university break, or if you are planning to go on holiday to Europe, please ensure you check the travel advice for the country of destination before making any bookings. Remember, even if the UK Government says it's OK to travel, you need to check the rules for your country of destination. The Foreign Commonwealth & Development Office provides advice about travelling abroad, latest information on coronavirus, safety and security, entry requirements and travel warnings. 

Visas 

If you are planning to visit a country which will require you to apply for visa, please start your application early to avoid disappointment. If you are spending your break in the Schengen area, you can check the application requirements for each country on the Schengen Visa Information pages. The letter you need to support your Schengen application is the enrolment confirmation letter which can be downloaded from eVision. Please note a no objection certificate (NOC) is not a requirement to apply for Schengen visa. 

On Friday 18 March 2022, all Covid-related travel restrictions were removed.

What documents do you need to show at UK Customs?

Visa nationals:

• Passport 
• BRP (if applicable)
• Financial documents to prove that you can support yourself in the UK 

If you are returning to the UK after enrolment, you must demonstrate that you are enrolled at a UK institution. Please download the enrolment letter from eVision. If you are travel during authorised absence, you would need to show the Customs officer the email from your course leader authorising your absence.

Using the eGates

If you are a national of an EU country, Australia, Canada, Iceland, Japan, Liechtenstein, New Zealand, Norway, Singapore, South Korea, Switzerland, or the USA you can use the eGates like a British national to enter the UK without the need to see a Customs officer. You must enter the UK within the validity of your Student visa and use the passport associated to your Student visa application. 

Travel after completing your course

The Student and Child Student guide confirms 'Students are able to travel outside of, and re-enter, the UK whilst they hold valid permission as a Student, including in the period after they have completed their course and still hold permission under the route.' If you are travelling after completion of your course, before graduation, you could show the Customs officer your graduation details and invitation. 

If your graduation is after the expiry date of your visa, and the university has reported the successful completion of your course, you should be able to show the email confirming your successful completion to the Customs officer and inform them that you are returning to the UK to make an in-time valid application for the Graduate visa.