The following bodies are all providing information and support:
Office of the Independent Adjudicator for Higher Education (OIA) - FAQs for international students concerned about coronavirus and how it is affecting their studies
Universities UK - information aimed specifically at current and future international students
Office for Students (regulator of higher education in England), including guidance for education providers and a briefing note on best practice in supporting international students. Also provides a Student guide to coronavirus.
Student Awards Agency Scotland, aimed at students with links to guidance for education providers
Welsh government covering further and higher education, travel, accommodation and collecting belongings
NI Direct for information about all areas of life in Northern Ireland
National Union of Students (NUS), particularly its Safety Net campaign for a hardship fund for all students
Office of the Independent Adjudicator (reviews complaints about higher education providers in England and Wales), including a briefing note for education providers
COVID-19 Anti-Racism Group (CARG), which calls out racism, particularly against British East Asians and international students, and has resources on where to find help and how to report hate crimes
Keep up-to date with all the latest advice from the UK government.
Get the latest health advice and information from National Health Service, and the latest health advice from Public Health Wales, from Public Health Agency Northern Ireland, and from Health Protection Scotland.
The wellbeing of international students is our top priority at UKCISA and we are doing everything we can to ensure that you have the support you need during this unprecedented global pandemic. Universities and colleges are working online but staff continue to work to support you in your own institutions. We advise all students to check information and advice on your institution’s websites and to keep in touch with academic and support staff. Be sure to let your institution know if you are planning to leave the country.
Looking after your mental health is more important now than ever and social distancing can be extremely difficult to cope with. There is lots of useful information about looking after your mental health during this pandemic on the Student Minds website. One of our #WeAreInternational Student Ambassadors, Khoa Nguyễn, has offered tips for looking after your mental health in a lockdown situation via a blog found here.
We understand that many students live in shared accommodation and this can be worrying if you or your housemates start to feel unwell. If you are living in student halls of residence and are worried about your own health or the health of students that you live with, contact staff at your accommodation to inform them that you are unwell, and use this link to guide you on to next steps.
The Department for Education (DfE) has produced guidance on self-isolation and social distancing for students living in university or college halls of residence. It also has an email address to answer questions about COVID-19 related to education. Staff, parents and students can contact: DfE.coronavirushelpline@education.gov.uk.
For support or clarification on any of the information given here, you can phone our Students' advice line.