(Welcome, Orientation, Airport Pick-up, Food, Accommodation and Local Travel)
If you cannot arrive on campus in time for the start of the course starting in September 2020 or January 2021, you will be able to arrive at a later date.
Students who have already arrived on campus in Bangor AND students who have already booked flights and will be arriving over the coming weeks
All lectures will be online until the 12 April, after this date we will move towards blended learning and the University will be working to open up in-person teaching, and some of our Libraries and social learning spaces. What we are able to manage will depend on the demands of different subject areas, Welsh government regulations, and the availability of space. However, the University will work to maximise opportunities for students. Students will be informed of changes by their Schools, and details will also appear in your electronic timetable during the Easter break.
Our campus remains a Covid-safe environment. Student residences and study spaces remain open and safe. If you have booked a room in University accommodation, please inform our Halls Office to confirm your arrival date and time (especially if you will be arriving in the evening or at the weekend). The Halls Office will then be able to arrange appropriate support as you will be required to self-isolate for 10 days. Follow this link for further advice on self-isolation arrangements.
Students starting studies remotely from their home country AND students who have not yet made any travel plans
If you have not made any travel arrangements, you will be able to start studying remotely and online from your home country, without having to travel to Bangor for the start of the term. If you are not returning to Bangor, you do not need to make a 'Request to study off-campus' during this time, unless specified by your School were there are professional body requirements.
The nearest International Airport is Manchester. There is information on our website about How to get to Bangor.
The only people who can enter the UK from a Red List country are:
• a British national
• an Irish national
• anyone with residence rights in the UK
UUKi understands that those with residence rights in the UK will still be permitted to enter the UK from a 'red list' country, and understand that this would include: holders of Indefinite Leave to Remain; holders of existing leave to enter or remain (i.e. those with biometric Residence permits) or an entry clearance/visa that grants such leave e.g. students, workers, etc (excluding visit visas); holders of EU Settlement Scheme ("EUSS") leave; those who have rights of entry under the Withdrawal Agreements (including returning residents with a right of residence under the EEA Regulations and EEA frontier workers); family members of EEA nationals with rights under the Withdrawal Agreement. For more information click here.
Please check the current list of Red listed countries before you plan your travel, as the list will be subject to change.
Please note that all students starting their Postgraduate Taught course at Bangor University in January 2021 are able to study the first Semester online if they are not able to travel to the UK. If you are a current student who has already started your studies then please contact your academic school for advice on whether online study is possible for your academic programme.
For the most up-to-date guidance on this matter, please visit here.
If you’re a British or Irish national, or third country national with residence rights in the UK and you’ve been in or passed through a ‘red list’ country in the 10 days before your arrival, then from the 15 February, you will need to quarantine in a managed quarantine hotel, unless you’re exempt.
For more information about what to expect, help and support including information on booking a hotel click here.
If you are travelling from countries not on the ‘red list’ then you must follow the guidance for those travelling to Wales. For the most up-to-date guidance on this matter, please visit here.
Click here for further guidance on having to provide evidence of a negative Covid-19 test result before departure.
Will I need to Self-Isolate on Arrival?
Click here for further information on self-isolation.
The aim of the self-isolation policy is to keep the transmission rate in the UK as low as possible by helping prevent the re-introduction of the virus through travellers arriving from overseas.
The University has put in place a number of services to support you to ensure that you are safe and well looked after during your period of self-isolation. Please read the following information carefully.
Please read this document: How to self-isolate when you arrive in Wales
What do I need to do before I travel?
What do I need to bring with me when I travel?
You will need to bring:
Self-isolating in University Managed Accommodation
If you have pre-booked a room in University managed accommodation (Halls) then you can self-isolate in the room that you have booked. As students will be expected to remain in self–isolation in their room for this 10 day period the University will provide:
It’s important to inform the Halls office of your planned arrival date so that they are able to ensure that your room is ready, and all the support services are in place. Email halls@bangor.ac.uk
If you experience the symptoms of Covid-19 during the 10 day quarantine period please alert a member of the accommodation staff who can advise you on what to do next. There is also advice on our website: https://apps.bangor.ac.uk/covid/
If you have additional questions about Self-Isolating in University Managed Accommodation please email: halls@bangor.ac.uk
Please note that the information above only applies if you have pre-booked a room in University managed accommodation for the year (or a semester for Exchange/Study Abroad students).
If you have not managed to secure accommodation before your arrival in the UK the University may have some short-term accommodation available for students and may also be able to provide a food service for students booking this short-term accommodation that need to self-isolate. However, you will be required to pay for the room, starter pack* and the food, at a cost of £438 for the 10 day period. You should book this short-term accommodation before you arrive by emailing: halls@bangor.ac.uk.
*Starter pack contents:
• bed pack (duvet, pillows, bed linen) size dependent on room.
• a toiletry tack (shampoo, shower gel, soap etc)
• crockery pack (all crockery, cutlery and glass tumbler)
• toilet roll 2 ply x2
• towels x 2
• mini kettle.
Self-isolating in Private Accommodation
If you have booked a place in Private Accommodation check what support your accommodation provider will be able to provide during your self-isolation period.
You should also ensure that you inform both the University and your accommodation provider of your arrival date.
The University has been liaising with private accommodation providers to enquire about what support they can offer and to ensure that they understand the requirements around self-isolation.
The International student support team will be able to offer you help, support and advice while you are self-isolating in private accommodation. internationalsupport@bangor.ac.uk
Because you will need somewhere safe and comfortable to self-isolate on arrival and you need to provide your address in the UK on the passenger locator form, it’s essential to arrange at least temporary accommodation before your arrival in the UK.
If you have not managed to secure accommodation before your arrival in the UK the University may have some short-term accommodation available for students and may also be able to provide a food service for students booking this short-term accommodation that need to self-isolate. However, you will be required to pay for the room, starter pack* and the food, at a cost of £438 for the 10 day period. You should book this short-term accommodation before you arrive by emailing: halls@bangor.ac.uk.
Unfortunately, we are not able to provide accommodation for couples and families in University managed accommodation. If you are coming with your family please contact our Private Housing Office for advice: studenthousing@bangor.ac.uk
Food delivery services
If you are self-isolating in private accommodation then you can order food to be delivered to your accommodation:
1) Supermarket food deliveries
• Tesco
• Asda
• Morrisons - Call 0345 611 6111 - Select option 5 – Line open 8am – 6pm daily; next day delivery; £2 delivery charge
• local oriental food store – www.sia2shop.co.uk – Minimum spend £24
2) Take-away food
• www.deliveroo.co.uk
• www.Just-eat.co.uk
*Starter pack contents:
• bed pack (duvet, pillows, bed linen) size dependent on room.
• a toiletry tack (shampoo, shower gel, soap etc)
• crockery pack (all crockery, cutlery and glass tumbler)
• toilet roll 2 ply x2
• towels x 2
• mini kettle.
If you book University accommodation, you will most likely be living in a shared building with other students, so you will have the opportunity to meet fellow students and make friends. We will ensure that you are briefed on government regulations for social distancing in force at the time, so you and your friends can live together safely. Please note, university will keep your safety and fellow students safety as our top priority, so may impose required restrictions from time to time.
If you have booked a room in University Managed Accommodation but are not able to arrive on campus due to Covid-19 we can hold your room for up to 12 weeks and you will not be charged until you arrive on campus and move into your room. It is essential to keep our halls office informed on your intended arrival date halls@bangor.ac.uk.
(Social, Safety, Discrimination, and Healthcare)
International students in the UK will be able to access the Covid-19 vaccine, however, priority is given to healthcare workers, the elderly and individuals with health conditions, older international students or those with underlying medical conditions will fall into priority categories, in the same way as the domestic population.
The University will inform all students of arrangements as soon as details are available. In order to get access to the vaccine and to receive healthcare in the UK, international students should register with a General Practitioner (GP/local Doctor).
If you are already a Bangor University student, but have not yet registered with a Doctor
Students from the EU are entitled to free medical services in the UK if you have applied for the EU Settlement scheme and been given settled or pre-settled status.
International students (including those from the EU who have to apply for a Student Visa) would have had to pay the Immigration Health Surcharge as part of the visa process - making this payment entitles you, also, to free medical attention.
However, to receive treatment or medication, you will have to register with a Doctor at a local Medical Centre/Surgery. It is very important that you have registered and we recommend the Bodnant Medical Centre, near our Ffriddoedd Campus: https://bodnantmedicalcentre.co.uk/
Once registered, you can check on the availability of the Covid-19 vaccine, along with other medical issues. For more information contact: internationalsupport@bangor.ac.uk
If you joined Bangor University in January 2021
New international students who have secured a student visa will have had to pay the Immigration Health Surcharge as part of the visa process. This then entitles you to access medical healthcare in the UK - but you must register with a local doctor on arrival in Bangor.
We recommend the Bodnant Medical Centre in Bangor, which is close to our Ffriddoedd Campus - https://bodnantmedicalcentre.co.uk/ and once registered, you can seek advice on Covid-19 issues and vaccines, along with any other medical matter. For more information, contact: internationalsupport@bangor.ac.uk
The fastest way to get tested and get a certificate is by paying a private company to do it. VFS Global is very popular among international students, it's done by post so you don't need to go to any centre to get tested, it costs 120 GBP and you will get a certificate with your results. You can book it here: https://www.vfsglobal.com/en/individuals/covid-test.html
Please remember that not all countries require a certificate to enter the country. You can check that by calling your flight company or Embassy in the UK.
Social distancing is the term used in the UK about the steps to reduce social interaction between people. This helps reduce the transmission of coronavirus from one person to another. In other countries, this is sometimes called ‘physical distancing’.
This new way of University life will also mean changes on the campus to ensure that we all stay safe. As the Covid-19 rules and guidelines keep changing, we will be letting you know more specific details about how moving around the campus will work and what facilities will be available. Our aim is to enable physical distancing in and around our buildings, to comply with the health and safety rules and recommendations for matters such as cleaning and the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) such as face masks etc.
During this difficult period, the International Student Support Office, Student Services and your School will provide support for your academic studies and any non-academic issues you may have. This will mainly be done online, by telephone, skype and email. Depending on the situation and rules in place for social distancing, some face-to-face support may also be available.
In addition to support for your studies from your School, we will also advise you on practical issues such as visas, financial matters, health, registration and general issues concerned with living in a new country and environment. For further details visit the international student support page.
If you have any questions or need advice on anything, please contact us at: internationalsupport@bangor.ac.uk
We understand how important it is to maintain a sense of community throughout this global crisis and we are taking every possible step to support your studies, your mental health and wellbeing, and your relationships with other students and staff. From the very beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic, the university has been offering Online Chat Sessions with our staff, conducting free webinars to help resolve any queries you may have, offering advice on health, travel, accommodation, visa, and study-related matters, and also providing hardship funds to some of our students in need.
All international students studying courses which are longer than 6 months are required to pay an Immigration Health Surcharge which allows them to benefit from free NHS treatment if they get sick while studying their course within the UK.
For students from the European Union, please check with your home government as to the validity of a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) which you may already have by clicking here.
If you are studying for less than 6 months, it is advisable to purchase private medical insurance before you travel to the UK.
All of our sports clubs and societies are free to join and will be running from September 2020. Bangor is luckier than many other universities, in that we have an amazing location, with a range of outdoor space on our doorstep which we will be using to provide a programme of socially-distanced sports club and general activities, as well as an online offering.
Specific details about the range of activities on offer will be available nearer the time and we are absolutely committed to ensuring that your experience at University is not just about your academic studies and that it includes all of the other elements which make being a student such an amazing adventure while also keeping you safe.
The University strongly recommends that all staff and students wear face coverings within buildings. In certain circumstances there may be a requirement to do so.
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and face coverings are two different items. The University will provide PPE for those activities which require their use, such as close interactions and laboratory work. The need for PPE will be specified in individual risk assessments or protocols. With regards to face coverings, the University will not be providing face coverings for staff or students. In line with Welsh Government recommendations, the use of (washable) three-ply face coverings is recommended.
We will be scheduling a number of Live Chat sessions over the coming weeks so that you can speak to academic staff and support staff.
If you like you can chat with our current students through Uni Buddy or contact our International Student Ambassadors.
You can also contact us through email: Admissions related queries or Student Support queries