The following message will be sent to all students on 6 July, 2021.
Following the communication we sent to students on Friday 25 June, UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) have issued an update to their Temporary Guidance in Response to Covid-19.
Within this update, UKVI have now committed to permitting that students can study by distance from overseas for both new and continuing Student/Tier 4 visa holders until 6 April 2022.
The University is expecting that our students will join us in Aberdeen for the start of the new academic year, and for those who are in a position to come to Aberdeen, our expectation is that you do so.
However, if you are unable to travel to the UK to continue your studies due to factors such as travel restrictions, you will be able to retain your Student/Tier 4 visa providing you continue to fully engage with your programme of study at distance.
We will continue to support you to access your learning if you are unable to join us at the start of the new academic year.
If you are inside the UK or able to travel to the UK and you hold a Student/Tier 4 visa, it is important to note that updated guidance from UKVI no longer permit students to study by distance in the UK from the next academic year onwards.
This means that if you are on a Student/Tier 4 visa and you are inside the UK, you will be required to undertake all of the on-campus teaching that is on offer and available to you from the start of the next academic year.
If you are currently studying inside the UK by distance learning and you hold a Student/Tier 4 visa, you are permitted to continue studying by distance until the next academic year begins in September.
In the coming weeks we will be updating our Immigration and Student Visas advice pages with details of how and when to complete a visa check as part of registration for academic year 2021/22. We also recommend visiting the UK Council for International Student Affairs website as a source of external advice.
Best wishes
Tracey and Ruth
| Tracey Slaven | Professor Ruth Taylor |
| University Secretary & Chief Operating Officer | Vice-Principal Education |