Hello Jemima

Last week, we updated you on the arrangements at Warwick following the UK Government announcement on 22 February 2021.

Today we are sharing more information on the latest government guidance for international students entering or returning to the UK including changes to physical arrival dates and the Graduate Route visa deadline. Please read the email carefully to find the information that applies to you.
 

---

 Postgraduate Taught students who are due to complete their course in 2021 (i.e. September 2020 cohort)

If you are interested in the Graduate Route visa

Postgraduate taught students who are due to complete their course in 2021 and who are interested in the Graduate Route visa (PSW) should arrive in the UK before the UKVI stipulated deadline for Graduate Route visa which is now 21 June 2021. Once you have arrived, you should remain in the UK for the final part of your course. You will receive a further email from the Student Immigration team shortly confirming that your physical arrival deadline has been updated to 21 June 2021.

If you are not interested in the Graduate Route visa, or if you are undecided
 
If you are not interested in the Graduate Route visa, you have the option to complete your entire course remotely if your course end date is before 4 October 2021. If you decide to do this, we will be required to withdraw your CAS or stop sponsoring you for your visa if you confirm your intention to take this option. You should contact tier4compliance@warwick.ac.uk before 21 June 2021 if this is what you decide to do.
 
This action will invalidate your CAS or, if you have a Student visa already, it will lead to the curtailment of your Student visa and you would not be able to travel to the UK on this visa. However, your enrolment status as a Warwick student will not be affected.
 
If you are still undecided, the arrival deadline for the Graduate Route visa is now 21 June 2021 and so you will need to make sure you arrive before this date if you do decide you want to apply. Please note that the Graduate Route visa application must be made within the UK when you hold a valid Student visa. 

 

---

 Undergraduate and Postgraduate Research students who are due to complete their course in 2021

If you are interested in the Graduate Route visa

If you are an undergraduate or postgraduate research student who is due to complete your course in 2021, our understanding from the latest UKVI policy intention is that as long as you have studied in the UK prior to March 2020 for 12 months or more, you will be eligible for the Graduate Route scheme. You need to travel to the UK in good time if you are currently overseas. This is because the Graduate Route visa can only be applied for within the UK when you hold a valid Student visa.
 
If you are an enrolled student and received a new CAS from the Student Immigration team since March 2020, you will receive a further email from Student Immigration with information on how to request an extension of your arrival deadline this week. If you wish to delay your arrival date, you will be able to request an arrival deadline of up to 1 month before your current course end date (or 2 weeks in exceptional circumstances) given that your department allows this. You will then need to travel to the UK before the new arrival deadline. 

If you are not interested in the Graduate Route visa
 
If you are not interested in the Graduate Route visa and you have not received a new CAS from the Student Immigration team since March 2020, you have the option to complete the rest of the academic year 2020/21 overseas, if your course end date is before 4 October 2021. Please get in touch with your academic department directly. No further approval is required once your academic department agrees to it.
 
If you have received a new CAS from the Student Immigration team since March 2020 and have not entered the UK with your new visa yet, you also have the option to complete the rest of the academic year 2020/21 overseas. However, if you decide to do this, we will be required to withdraw your CAS or stop sponsoring you for your visa, if you confirm your intention to take this option. You should contact tier4compliance@warwick.ac.uk before your current ‘latest start date’ if this is what you decide to do.
 
This action will invalidate your CAS or, if you have a Student visa already, it will lead to the curtailment of your Student visa and you would not be able to travel to the UK on this visa. However, your enrolment status as a Warwick student will not be affected.

Students on specific courses
 
There are a small number of students who are on certain professional courses such as MBChB, or, courses that require face to face attendance in Term 3 due to specific course design or a practical element of the course. These students will receive a direct email from Student Immigration with their new latest arrival deadline.

---

 Undergraduate and Postgraduate Research students who are due to complete their course in 2022 and beyond

As remote study is permitted for the whole of 2020/21 academic year, if you fit the requirements in the list below you have a deadline of the start of the next academic year, i.e. by 4 October 2021, to enter the UK (postgraduate research students must first obtain the approval from their academic department):

 You are an undergraduate or postgraduate research student
 You started your course in 2020/21 academic year
 You have not yet entered the UK
 You are due to complete your course in 2022 and beyond

The Student Immigration team has started contacting all students in this situation from 1 March 2021 either confirming your new arrival deadline or giving information on how to request a new arrival deadline.

If you started your course before the 2020/21 academic year and have not received a new CAS from Student Immigration since March 2020, you are able to complete the whole of the 2020/21 academic year outside of the UK as long as your academic department approves it. If you did receive a new CAS from Student Immigration since March 2020, you will receive a direct email this week confirming your new arrival deadline or how to request an extension on your current arrival deadline.

In terms of your eligibility for the Graduate Route visa, our understanding of the UKVI policy intention is that in your situation, remote studying for part or the whole of the 2020/21 academic year will not affect your eligibility for this visa. You will, however, need to complete at least 12 months of your studies in the UK if your course duration is more than 12 months in total.
 

---

You can find more information on our International Student Arrivals page including FAQs and detail about the support available to you.
 

Wellbeing Support - Managing Stress and Anxiety

This week's theme is about Managing Stress and Anxiety. Sign up for our Feeling Good and Functioning Well Masterclass, come and join the managing stress and anxiety skills session called Taking things in your stride. Don't forget that you can also access our self-help resources to support you, including one about Managing Anxiety.

International Women's Day 2021: Warwick Women’s Montage

International Women’s Day (IWD) is a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women. The day also marks a call to action for accelerating gender equality. To celebrate the women in the Warwick community we are creating a Warwick Women’s Montage. In order for us to collate images in time for IWD, please submit your photo by Friday 26 February.

City of Culture - City hosts volunteering programme

Imagine being able to say... "I was part of that". Coventry City of Culture are looking for 5,000 volunteers throughout the year, to spend as much or as little time as they can, to showcase our city. Volunteers will be rewarded with limited edition uniform, training, rewards from our partners and professional head-shots. Find out more.

Sustainability for Students - March 2021

From our open call to feature in our next sustainability video, to Food Waste Week and Green Week 2021, there's a lot of sustainability opportunities for you to join this March.

SU Spring Elections 2021: Voting is now open

Read the SU Sports Officer's blog on "Why Should You Vote in the SU Elections?". The people elected this week will represent you both locally and nationally during the next academic year. Voting in the Spring Elections closes on Friday 26 February at 7 pm. Log in and cast your vote.

Human Library

On Thursday 4 March at 1 - 2.30 pm, we will be holding our latest Human Library event, online! This event is open to all students and staff. Find out more.

Library Study Happy - Switch On & Work

If you need some extra motivation, come along to our online, Pomodoro-style, group study sessions. Join the Study Happy team in the Event channel in Library Online Lounge; make sure to sign in to Microsoft Teams with your Warwick Account.

Warwick Presents: Food, activities, arts & music

With Warwick Presents you can experience a rolling programme of themes, events, activities and entertainment. 

Window Wanderland

It's nearly time for Canley, Cannon Park and Campus to shine in Window Wanderland. Streets across Coventry are encouraged to light up their front windows and gardens and become beautiful walking trails. There's still time to get your window on the map, find out how to take part. Get some inspiration for decorating your window on the Warwick Presents Facebook page!

Window Swap

Get a little view into each other's world with Window Swap. Submit a 10-minute long video out of your window and be featured on WindowSwap. People from across the world can get a lookout to another place, and you can do the same. See examples of the submitted entries and take part.

Chinese Arts Now

Chinese Arts Now’s Queering Now film programme amplifies marginalised voices of Chinese queer culture. Curated by artists Whiskey Chow and Sha Li, the films explore multi-layered Chinese identities which are not often portrayed and consider their relationship with a wider Chinese cultural heritage. Watch the films.
 

Global Connections week 9: Quiz

On 8 March, join us for a quiz inspired by International Women's Day. There will be questions about women from around the world so put your thinking caps on and come along for some fun and interesting trivia.