Reports and guides

COVID-19 national guidance

The UK government and many higher education sector organisations have published guidance in relation to the COVID-19 pandemic that impacts the work of Student Services. Here are the links to the public national guidance.

Planning for 2020/21

• (2 July 2020) The UK government Department for Education has updated its guidance for the English higher education sector on reopening buildings and campuses: Higher education: reopening buildings and campuses.
  
• (24 June 2020) The UK government has updated its guidance on working safely in labs and research facilities to reflect the new “one metre plus” rule and guidance on “support bubbles”: Labs and research facilities.
• (3 June 2020) Universities UK has published guidelines about health, safety and wellbeing for returning in the new academic year: Principles and considerations: emerging from lockdown.
• (29 May 2020) The World Health Organisation has published guidelines for planning mass gatherings: Key planning recommendations for Mass Gatherings in the context of the current COVID-19 outbreak.
  
• (28 May 2020) The Quality Assurance Agency has published a new paper considering the impact of COVID-19 on admissions and transitions: The impact of COVID-19 on admissions and transitions into higher education.

Students in residences

• (5 August 2020) The Scottish Government has published guidance on safe re-opening during the coronavirus pandemic for college, university and purpose built student accommodation: Coronavirus (COVID-19): guidance on college, university and purpose built student accommodation.
  
• (13 July 2020) Unite Students has published their approach to opening accommodation safely in September, which includes a suite of resources for risk assessment, guidelines for operating safely, and more. This is subject to revision as government guidelines change: Safe & Secure HE Partner Pack (PDF 5.5 MB).
• (24 June 2020) The UK government has published lockdown easing guidance, which says that indoor shared facilities such as communal kitchens or TV rooms in student accommodation must be closed: Hotels and other guest accommodation.
  
• (23 June 2020) The Scottish Government has published guidance to ensure that students moving out of student accommodation, including returning to accommodation to collect belongings, can do so safely during the pandemic: Student accommodation – travel guidance.
  
• (9 June 2020) ANUK / Unipol has published guidance and advice about rent refunds and other tenancy arrangements for students: Information and advice on coronavirus in student accommodation for housing suppliers.
• (21 May 2020) The UK government has updated its briefing on actions for higher education providers during the coronavirus outbreak with new guidance on leaving or collecting belongings from student accommodation in England: Actions for HE providers during the coronavirus outbreak.
• (26 May 2020) The Scottish Government has announced that the Coronavirus (Scotland) (No.2) Act 2020 has come into force, which makes provisions in relation to tenancies for students in halls of residence and purpose built student accommodation: Coronavirus (Scotland) (No.2) Bill Policy Memorandum.
• (21 May 2020) ANUK / Unipol has published guidance about students returning to their accommodation to collect belongings: Tenants wanting to return to their accommodation and collect their belonging.
• (14 May 2020) CUBO (College and University Business Officers) has published guidance for students and universities on managing the safe collection of students’ belongings from university-managed residences: Guidance for the Collection of Student Belongings from University Managed Residences.
  
• (11 May 2020) The Scottish Government has published a bill that includes provisions for notice periods for student accommodation (applying to halls of residence or other purpose built student accommodation): Coronavirus (no 2) (Scotland) Bill.
• (11 May 2020) The UK government has published FAQs, which specify that students remaining in halls are permitted to return to their family home: Coronavirus outbreak FAQs: what you can and can't do.
  
• (22 April 2020) The Office for Students has published a briefing on student accommodation, including discussion of student physical and mental health and wellbeing, challenges for students in private accommodation whose landlords have not cancelled accommodation contracts, and vulnerable student groups: Coronavirus briefing note: student accommodation.
• (8 April 2020) The UK government has published guidance about managing isolation in residential educational settings, including university or college halls of residence: University or college halls of residence for students aged 18 or over.
• (1 May 2020) The UK government has published guidance about which premises can remain open during the pandemic, and under what terms: Further businesses and premises to close.
• (18 March 2020) The UK government has announced a complete ban on evictions for three months, and additional protection for renters: Complete ban on evictions and additional protection for renters.
• (24 March 2020) Student accommodation providers Unite Students and Liberty Living have announced that they will not charge students for accommodation for term three, and arrangements will be made to support students who need to stay on in accommodation through term three and beyond: An update from us on COVID-19.
• (26 March 2020) Unite Students has written an article for Wonkhe with information for students who do not plan to stay in their accommodation for their third university term after Easter: What has Unite Students done on Covid-19?
  
• (2 April 2020) Universities UK has published a response to a letter from the National Union of Students about the situation facing student tenants: Universities UK’s response to NUS’ open letter on student renters.
  

Student finance

• (23 June 2020) The Northern Ireland Department for the Economy has announced more funding to alleviate student hardship: £5.6million available to alleviate student hardship with additional £1.4million announced.
• (11 June 2020) The Scottish Government has announced a package of additional financial support for Scottish students facing financial hardship this summer: Summer support for students.
  
• (28 April 2020) The Student Loans Company has published guidance for current and prospective students, guidance for repayment customers, and a general update: Student Loans Company.
• (28 April 2020) The Student Loans Company has published guidance for practitioners about payment, assessment, changes of circumstance, study abroad and more: FAQ – COVID-19.
• (6 May 2020) The Scottish Funding Council has published an update about Scottish student finance: Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19).
• SAAS (Student Awards Agency Scotland) has published guidance about student finance in Scotland: Coronavirus (COVID-19) - information and advice.
• (8 April 2020) The Scottish Government has announcement a package of hardship funding for students: Extra hardship payments for students.

Travel

• (5 June 2020) The Scottish Government has published travel guidance for students returning to their accommodation: Student accommodation – travel guidance.
  
• (5 May 2020) The UK government has published guidance for students, staff and children in the education sector planning to travel in the UK or overseas, and for those who are already overseas: Coronavirus: travel guidance for educational settings.

International students

• (29 July 2020) The UK government Home Office has updated its guidance about the position of people whose leave to remain in the UK expires between 24 January 2020 and 31 July 2020 inclusive: Coronavirus (COVID-19): advice for UK visa applicants and temporary UK residents.
  
• (13 July 2020) The UK government has published details about the UK points-based immigration system, which includes changes in provisions for students and graduates: UK points-based immigration system: further details statement.
  
• (16 June 2020) The UK government has updated its advice for Tier 4 sponsors, migrants and short-term students on temporary concessions in response to the outbreak of coronavirus: Coronavirus (COVID-19): Tier 4 sponsors, migrants and short-term students.
• (16 June 2020) The UK government has updated its advice for Tier 2, 4 and 5 visa sponsors in the UK who are sponsoring those affected by coronavirus: Coronavirus (COVID-19): advice for Tier 2, 4 and 5 sponsors.
• (29 May 2020) The UK government has updated its advice for visa applicants outside of the UK and British nationals overseas who need to apply for a passport affected by travel restrictions: Coronavirus (COVID-19): advice for UK visa applicants and temporary UK residents.
• (21 May 2020) The Office for Students has published a briefing note highlighting practical and innovative ways in which universities and colleges are working to support their international students: Supporting international students.
• (20 April 2020) The UK government has published guidance for Tier 4 short-term students, including details of the relaxation of requirements around attendance monitoring, Tier 4 students studying remotely, and English language proficiency: Coronavirus (COVID-19): Tier 4 sponsors, migrants and short-term students.
• (12 May 2020) The UK government has published guidance for those holding and seeking UK visas whose movements are restricted by the pandemic: Coronavirus (COVID-19): advice for UK visa applicants and temporary UK residents.
• (11 May 2020) UKCISA (UK Council for International Student Affairs) has published resources for international students about the pandemic: Coronavirus (Covid-19): info for international students.

Assessments

• (7 April 2020) University Alliance has published a statement about how its member universities are seeking flexible solutions to assessing final year students and ensuring that students are not disadvantaged: University Alliance statement on assessments.
  
• (2 April 2020) The Russell Group has published a statement about its members' work to ensure that students are not disadvantaged in their outcomes by changes to exams and assessments: Russell Group statement on university assessments.
• QAA (Quality Assurance Agency) has published guidance about practice and lab-based assessment during the pandemic: COVID-19 support and guidance.
  
• (4 May 2020) SASC (SpLD Assessment Standards Committee) has published guidance outlining essential issues and considerations for online consultations for SpLD Assessment: Physical Distancing and SpLD Assessment.
  

Healthcare students

• (17 June 2020) Health Education England has published a statement about payment for student nurses, confirming that nursing students on placement will continue to be paid until 31 July 2020: HEE Chief Nurse Mark Radford statement for student nurses.
• Health Education England has published guidance for students intending to use their educational programme to support the NHS during the pandemic: Coronavirus (COVID-19) information for AHPs.
• (8 April 2020) The NHS has launched a mental wellbeing package to support NHS staff: NHS launches a mental wellbeing support package.
• (6 April 2020) The Scottish Government has published guidance on student support for medical, nursing and midwifery students during the pandemic: Coronavirus (COVID-19): student support guidance for medical, nursing and midwifery students.
• The Royal College of Nursing Student Committee, Unison and Unite have issued a statement to help undergraduates on clinical placements understand their choices and their rights over the COVID-19 crisis: COVID-19: Important information for nursing students.
• (27 March 2020) The British Psychological Society has produced a set of useful tips, advice and links to articles for dealing with the effects of the pandemic: Responding to Coronavirus: Resources and Support, as well as specific guidance for professionals: New guidance for psychological professionals during the Covid-19 pandemic.
• (25 March 2020) The Nursing and Midwifery Council has announced that nursing students in their final six months who choose to finish programmes on extended clinical placements will be paid: Joint statement on expanding the nursing and midwifery workforce in the Covid-19 outbreak.
• The Tavistock and Portman NHS Foundation Trust has published a resource to help healthcare staff manage their mental health during the pandemic: NCL in Mind – wellbeing and mental health during COVID-19.
  

Trainee teachers

• (7 April 2020) The UK government has published guidance for providers of initial teacher training (ITT) to mitigate as far as possible the impact of COVID-19 on trainee teachers: Coronavirus (COVID-19): initial teacher training (ITT).

Higher education general

UK

• OIAHE (Office for the Independent Adjudicator for Higher Education) has published guidance with practical suggestions for staff when thinking about their approach to handling students’ concerns regarding Coronavirus: Handling complaints arising from coronavirus.
  
• (30 June 2020) The Office for Students has updated its pandemic guidance for students to include sections on deferrals for new and continuing students: Student guide to coronavirus.
• (22 June 2020) OIA (Office for the Independent Adjudicator) has published an update about their approach to handling student complaints arising from the impact of the pandemic: OIA briefing note 2: Our approach to complaints arising from the effects of coronavirus (COVID-19) - June 2020.
  
• (10 June 2020) The Office for Students has published guidance about consumer protection: Guidance for providers about student and consumer protection during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
  
• (30 April 2020) Universities UK has published a briefing about responding to domestic violence and abuse in higher education communities during the COVID-19 pandemic: Beginning the conversation: responding to domestic violence and abuse in higher education communities during the COVID-19 pandemic.
• (21 May 2020) The Student Loans Company has updated its information for current students, adding new guidance for students applying for Disabled Students' Allowances (DSAs): Guidance for current students.
• (21 May 2020) The US Center for Disease Control and Prevention has published guidance on protecting students and employees as universities prepare to re-open: Considerations for Institutes of Higher Education.
• (7 May 2020) The American College Health Association has published guidance for institutions planning to reopen campuses: Considerations for Reopening Institutions of Higher Education in the COVID-19 Era.
• (19 May 2020) AUCCCD (Association for University and College Counseling Center Directors) has published guidance about opening up campus counselling services: COVID-19 and Safely Delivering Mental Health Services As Campuses Re-open.
• (20 May 2020) The Quality Assurance Agency has published information and resources on admissions and student transition: Admissions and transitions: signpost to information and resources.
• (14 May 2020) The Office for Students has published a briefing note about the needs of students without family support during the pandemic: Students without family support.
• (14 May 2020) The UK Council for Graduate Education has published guidance on the potential impacts of COVID-19 on the delivery of postgraduate research degrees and the institutional support doctoral candidates should expect to receive, including possible mitigation strategies: Doctoral Degrees and the Potential Impact of Covid-19 on Current Postgraduate Researchers.
• (11 May 2020) The UK government has published guidance for education and childcare settings on how to implement protective measures: Coronavirus (COVID-19): implementing protective measures in education and childcare settings.
  
• (11 May 2020) The UK government has published guidance to help employers, employees and the self-employed understand how to work safely during the coronavirus pandemic: Working safely during coronavirus (COVID-19).
  
• (11 May 2020) The UK government has published a roadmap for how and when the UK will adjust its response to the COVID-19 crisis: Our plan to rebuild: The UK Government’s COVID-19 recovery strategy.
  
• (4 May 2020) The UK government has announced a support package for the higher education sector: Government support package for universities and students.
• (4 May 2020) The Student Loans Company has clarified details about bringing forward fee payments to providers: FAQ – Reprofiling termly fee payments.
• (30 April 2020) The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has published guidance on consumer contracts, cancellation and refunds during the pandemic: The Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, consumer contracts, cancellation and refunds.
• (4 May 2020) The UK government Minister of State for Universities has written a letter to prospective higher education students, which outlines some services that students may be able to access: Message from the Universities Minister, Michelle Donelan.
• (9 April 2020) The UK government Minister of State for Universities has published answers to student questions about teaching and exams, fees and fee loans, accommodation, maintenance loans, support, visas, and volunteering: University students and COVID-19 FAQ. The minister has also answered various student questions here: Questions answered by Universities Minister, Michelle Donelan.
• (26 March 2020) The UK government Minister of State for Universities has written a letter to higher education providers about rents and mental health support for students in university-owned accommodation, and more: Michelle Donelan letter to VCs 26 March 2020.
• (26 March 2020) The UK government Minister of State for Universities has written a letter to about travel restrictions for those still in accommodation, revisions to the immigration regime that take account of travel restrictions, and more: Michelle Donelan letter to students 26 March 2020.
• (7 May 2020) The Office for Students has published a letter about how higher education providers should comply with the statutory Prevent duty during the coronavirus pandemic: Prevent monitoring requirements during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
  
• (30 April 2020) The Office for Students has published a briefing note about student mental health: Supporting student mental health.
• (14 April 2020) The Office for Students has published an update for higher education providers with support, advice and information: Coronavirus (COVID-19): update on support and information.
• (17 March 2020) The Office for Students has published its planned approach to COVID-19, including updates on reporting requirements and consultations: Update from the Office for Students on COVID-19.
• The Office for Students has published a page about COVID-19 for higher education providers, along with a student guide to the crisis: Coronavirus (COVID-19) - guidance for providers and students.
• (25 March 2020) The Office for Students has published detailed guidance about the regulatory requirements they have suspended and the specific information they need from providers during the pandemic: Regulatory requirements during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
• (13 May 2020) Universities UK has published guidance about the safety, health and wellbeing of the entire university community, including staff and students who may be at risk of violence or abuse: Safety, Health and Wellbeing.
  
• (7 May 2020) QAA (Quality Assurance Agency) has published guidance to help higher education institutions ensure integrity in their distance teaching, learning and assessment practices: QAA publishes guidance on assessing with integrity in digital delivery.
  
• (28 April 2020) QAA (Quality Assurance Agency) has published support resources about “no detriment” policies: No Detriment Policies: A Summary and Guide to Evaluation.
  
• (23 March 2020) QAA (Quality Assurance Agency) has published guidance for higher education providers about transitioning to online learning, adapting assessments for online platforms, managing credit, progression and graduation, and student engagement: COVID-19 support: new QAA guidance for HE providers on maintaining quality and academic standards.
• OIAHE (Office for the Independent Adjudicator for Higher Education) has published a set of frequently asked questions for students about the impact on their studies: Coronavirus - FAQ for students.
• (18 March 2020) OIAHE has published guidance for providers about student complaints: Complaints arising from Coronavirus (COVID-19) disruption.

Wales

• (17 July 2020) The Welsh Government has published its strategy for testing for COVID-19 in Wales: COVID-19 testing strategy.
  
• (30 June 2020) HEFCW (Higher Education Funding Council for Wales) has published guidance for Welsh higher education providers on consumer protections, student expectations and quality: Consumer protection, student expectations and quality.
  
• (11 June 2020) The Welsh Government has published guidance for higher education providers in order to protect the health of students, staff and the communities they serve: Guidance for higher education: Keep Wales Safe (COVID-19).
• (4 May 2020) The Welsh Government has published a statement outlining the approach it will take to supporting the sector during and beyond the pandemic: Higher education policy statement: coronavirus.
• (4 May 2020) HEFCW (Higher Education Funding Council for Wales) has published a summary of changes to funding and regulatory plans for Welsh funding in response to the pandemic: W20/11HE: COVID-19 impact on higher education providers: funding, regulation and reporting implications.
• (21 April 2020) The Welsh Government has published an update on support for higher education in Wales: Update on ongoing work to support higher education in facing the financial challenges posed by COVID-19.
• (23 April 2020) The Welsh Government has published guidance about COVID-19 in educational settings: Coronavirus (COVID-19): educational settings guidance.
• (23 April 2020) The Welsh Government has published answers to frequently asked questions for higher education students: Higher education and student support: coronavirus.
• (30 March 2020) The Welsh Government Education Minister has written a letter to higher education providers about support for students and staff during the pandemic, and student finance: Letter from Minister for Education, Kirsty Williams.

Scotland

• (30 June 2020) The Scottish Government has published guidance for universities about returning to on-campus learning: Coronavirus (COVID-19): guidance for universities.
  
• (27 May 2020) The Scottish Government has written to the country’s college and university principals to outline lockdown easing measures and changes related to their institutions: Colleges and universities preparing for phased return.
• (23 April 2020) The Scottish Government Minister for Further Education, Higher Education and Science has written a letter to providers about higher education and science during the pandemic: Coronavirus (COVID-19): higher education and science - letter from the Minister for Further Education, Higher Education and Science.
• Student Information Scotland has published information and advice for students in Scotland about finance, accommodation, assessment and more: Coronavirus (COVID-19) - information and advice.
• The Scottish Public Services Ombudsman has published a guide for public service organisations about complaints handling advice during the pandemic: Complaints handling advice during COVID-19.
  

Higher education staff

• (26 May 2020) BUFDG (British University Finance Directors’ Group) has published guidance related to the requirements for the Job Retention Scheme, popularly known as furlough: Job Retention Scheme - Treasury Direction Part II.
• (22 April 2020) The UK government Department for Education has published guidance about staff working in education contexts: Coronavirus (COVID-19): financial support for education, early years and children’s social care.
• The Scottish Funding Council has published a briefing note on the UK Government Job Retention and Loan Schemes and their applicability to Scottish universities and colleges: UK Government Job Retention and Loan Schemes.
  
• (11 May 2020) The Disclosure and Barring Service has published guidance to support the recruitment of those needed during the pandemic, including a safeguarding factsheet for volunteers, a fast-track check of the Barred Lists, and updated ID-checking guidance: COVID-19: How DBS is supporting the fight against coronavirus.
• (24 March 2020) UCEA (Universities and Colleges Employers Association) has published a statement about staffing issues during the pandemic, covering communications with outsourced staff, provision of safety equipment and training, cleaning protocols, managing staff feedback, and consideration of mental health and workload for those working at home and with caring responsibilities: Higher Education Joint statement on Covid-19.
• (31 March 2020) UCU (University and College Union) has updated its advice to members about pay, and health and safety: Covid-19 update: what is happening in your workplace?
  

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