Newsletter sent on 16 December to all taught students
Welcome to the last edition of this year’s newsletter.
We started 2020 unaware of the challenges and hurdles that we, as a global community, will face. As we head into a new year, we want to say thank you for all your hard work, and how you continue to work with us to keep our community safe.
Vice-Chancellor @SEBuitendijk shares a message for the festive season:
We’re looking forward to welcoming you back in the New Year, but before then, here’s a reminder of the important bits you’ll need over the next few weeks.
Staying in the Leeds City region during the holidays?
Holiday activities, support and opening hours
There’s lots you can get involved in during the holidays and our teams are here to support you, please don’t hesitate to get in touch. Find more information about holiday activities, support and opening hours, and out of term activities you can join.
Need financial help and support? It’s been a difficult year and with the holidays coming up, we know some of you may need some support. Speak to LUU’s help and support services for financial advice or details on the hardship funds available for students who need support. They’ll be available until 4pm on 23 December and reopen at 8am on 4 January.
Just arrived in Leeds?
If you’re arriving in Leeds for the first time over the holidays, welcome! Our school induction information lets you find out about your school's induction activities, things you should do before the start of term and other school specific useful information.
Live in Leeds? Do you want to help your local NHS and your local community? If so, The NHS are currently recruiting for a variety of paid roles including vaccinators, health care assistants and administrators, as well as a bank of volunteers who can support vaccine services to help us deliver the Leeds COVID-19 Vaccination Programme. Find out more.
Returning in the New Year
When to return
Last week we shared an email with you about returning to Leeds after the Government asked universities to stagger the return of students in the spring term over the five-week period from 4 January to 5 February. This aims to minimise the risk of transmitting covid-19 by reducing the number of students who are travelling or arriving at the same time.
- If you already have made travel plans, you do not need to change them.
- We understand that it may be better for you to return to Leeds sooner – Government guidelines allow for this and our campus remains open for you to access for study and for your health and wellbeing.
If the above doesn’t apply to you, you will need to return as outlined in the email and on our returning to Leeds webpage.
Asymptomatic (lateral flow) testing
Asymptomatic testing will be available between 4 January and 5 February for all students who aren’t showing coronavirus symptoms. Please remember that you are advised to book two lateral flow tests, three days apart.
When you arrive back in Leeds you are encouraged to limit social contact until you receive a second negative test.
For more information about the Asymptomatic testing facility please see the FAQs on the Coronavirus website.
TRAVELLING OVER THE HOLIDAYS
Our Brexit pages have been updated with important information for EU/EEA/Swiss students:
- http://leeds.ac.uk/brexit - this includes links to information about visa applications and the EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS) for different groups of students and PGRs
- https://students.leeds.ac.uk/brexit - this includes more detail for students who can apply to the EUSS as well as advice for current EU/EEA/Swiss students travelling home for winter break
If you are an EU/EEA/Swiss student, please read this information as soon as possible, as it may affect your travel plans.
If this advice changes, we will update the web pages over the holiday. Please also see the latest guidance from the UK government.
Are you an international student travelling overseas for the holidays? Or are you travelling for a study or work placement abroad? LUU's Emergency Hardship Fund may be available to help you cover the costs of a PCR test . The application will be fast tracked to meet students' travel needs wherever possible. The fund has been made available to support taught students and postgraduate researchers who are in financial hardship and need help to cover the cost of the test. Applicants will need to show evidence of the cost and of their financial circumstances. To apply, please contact LUU Help and Support and request an application form: advice@luu.leeds.ac.uk or 0113 3801420.
We’ll be in touch again in the new year. We hope you have a wonderful holiday, stay safe and, don’t forget to join our Facebook group and follow us on Twitter for the latest updates and info.
Happy holidays!