Q&As: General Student Queries

All students are expected to return to campus in September to engage with the in-person teaching provision and research, a small exception has been made for our international students who are unable to travel to Swansea. International students who are not able to travel to Swansea are advised to get here as soon as they possibly can.

Your safety and wellbeing is our top priority. Please note that guidelines in University services will vary due to different health and safety measures put in place by the Welsh Government.

Learning and Teaching

In line with the Welsh Government Infection control framework for higher education we are planning to introduce a managed approach to learning and teaching for the start of the academic year. Large lectures will be delivered online, however sessions such as practicals, seminars and lab work will be prioritised for in person teaching. Timetables will be released the week of the 13th September.

We have listened to your feedback regarding new digital initiatives that have been introduced since the pandemic and will be keeping new areas of good practice to enhance the learning experience of our students.

PGR Students

For researchers, remote engagement will only be permitted for international students who experience travel delays due to the pandemic, and where their programme of research permits it. All international student researchers are expected to arrive in Swansea as soon as possible. We advise students who are experiencing travel delays to discuss the option of conducting their research during this period of delay via remote engagement with their supervisor or Faculty/School.

Use the links below for up-to-date information relating to University services:

Catering

Students' Union Services

Sport and Exercise Facilities

Libraries 

As a reasonable measure, face coverings must be worn in the following scenarios unless you are exempt;

• In all University areas accessible to the public including: foyers, reception areas, corridors, lifts, stairways, conveniences, shops and libraries.
• When 2m social distancing cannot be maintained (unless it has been identified in a risk assessment that this would be unsafe).
• When moving around a space such as an open plan office, learning and teaching environment or catering venue.
• Where identified on a risk assessment as an appropriate control measure.
• When requested, where there are clinically extremely vulnerable students or staff or those who are at increased risk from COVID-19, including those who were previously shielding.

The University strongly recommends that you continue to wear a face covering in the following scenarios;

• When seated and socially distanced in a multi occupancy office.
• When seated and socially distanced in an examination.
• When seated and socially distanced in a learning and teaching environment, such as lecture theatres, classrooms and computer suite.
• When socially distanced in a research laboratory or workshop, where activity risk assessments permit.
• When working as part of a defined contact group in a learning and teaching environment. Students are not required to be socially distanced within defined contact groups.
• When working as part of a defined contact group in teaching laboratories, clinical settings and workshops, where activity risk assessments permit. Students are not required to be socially distanced within defined contact groups.

If a student or member of staff has a medical condition or disability and is exempt from wearing a face covering or mask, they can choose to wear a sunflower lanyard, carry an exemption card or download a digital exemption on to a mobile phone, and not feel anxious about being challenged for not wearing a face covering.

If a student or member of staff has a medical condition or disability and is exempt from wearing a face covering or mask, they can choose to wear a sunflower lanyard and not feel anxious about being challenged for not wearing a face covering. These are available for students at MyUni hub at Singleton and the Bay and at Colleges for staff.

Swansea does not tolerate discrimination or harassment. We take all allegations of abuse and harassment very seriously. 

Students who have any concerns should please contact advice@swansea-union.co.uk or report it here. 

If you are struggling financially or facing hardship as a result of the current situation related to Covid-19, you may be able to access short term financial support from the Money@CampusLife hardship fund by applying for the Short Term Assistance Grant (STAG).

We recognise that students are concerned about the impact of coronavirus on their studies during this period. The University took major steps in altering its delivery to ensure that teaching, learning and assessment continued, ensuring you could continue your studies, meet the learning outcomes on your programmes and achieve the necessary credit to ensure that you may be awarded your degree or progress to your next level of study.

Major efforts by University staff have ensured there is wide-ranging support for active learning and progression, resources can be accessed, assessments can proceed where appropriate or offered with alternative arrangements and wellbeing and employability support is available.

Therefore in common with other Universities, Swansea University will not be issuing tuition fee refunds.

Students planning to go abroad in Semester 2 of 2020/21 or during the academic year 2021/22 should continue with their applications, however we would advise against making any financial commitments in relation to your placement at this time.

We will continue to work closely with colleges, partner universities and students during this time to keep you updated and informed. Visit this page for up-to-date guidance for Swansea University and contact the Go Global team if you have specific queries.

Our expectations of you

We expect every student to follow the Covid-19 Supplemental Student Charter and any Welsh Government and Swansea University requirements around Covid-19 health and safety.

Our measures to keep our community safe include, but are not limited to:
• Social distancing
• Self-isolation
• Face coverings

We acknowledge that some individuals’ personal circumstances may exempt them from being able to follow certain guidance or requirements, and we provide guidance and support on this. 

There are measures that are in place to keep our community safe.

Read more 

According to the UK Government website, ‘The Yellow Card scheme is a mechanism by which anybody can voluntarily report any suspected adverse reactions or side effects to the vaccine.

It is very important to note that a Yellow Card report does not necessarily mean the vaccine caused that reaction or event. We ask for any suspicions to be reported, even if the reporter isn’t sure if it was caused by the vaccine. Reports to the scheme are known as suspected adverse reactions (ADRs).’  

Further information can be found on the UK Government website.