Frequently Asked Questions for Students →

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If you need further information or guidance, please contact the Advice Centre.

Last updated 20th April 2021

There are some changing travel-restrictions and there are various levels of complexity dependent on the country you are travelling from. Equally, there are restrictions in many of the countries our students travel to – please be pro-active and make sure you are fully informed about specific requirements for your destination. Should you need to undertake a private PCR test in order to facilitate your return home at the end of Term 3, the RVC will make a contribution towards this cost. See here for more information.

For return to the UK, please read the information below carefully and follow this link to find out if the country you are travelling from or through is on the red list.  Be aware that the country you are travelling from/through could move onto the red list at short notice and this guidance may change so you must continue to check prior to your departure. Only British or Irish Nationals, or those who have residence rights in the UK are allowed to enter the UK from a Red List Country.

• Non-red list countries
  Please read this carefully; there are new requirements for testing upon arrival in the UK.
  Anyone arriving from a non-red list country will need to provide a negative COVID-19 test within the 72 hour period prior to travel (more information about this here). On arrival, you will need to self-isolate at the place you are staying for 10 days AND you must also get 2 COVID-19 tests after you arrive in England. You will need to book these before you travel. For more information on arrival in the UK, please follow this link. You can find the link to book the compulsory travel testing package here. There is a charge for this testing scheme – currently £210. The RVC will contribute £100 towards the cost of this test and up to £100 for the cost of the pre-arrival test. Information on how to claim this can be found here. 
  
  The Test to Release scheme is still operating in the UK for those who are arriving from non-red list countries. This allows you to take a private COVID-19 test no earlier than day 5 of your self-isolation period. This test is in addition to the 2 COVID-19 tests you must take (see above). More information about the Test to Release scheme can be found here.
  
  
• Red List Countries
  Anyone arriving from a Red List country will need to provide a negative COVID-19 test within the 72 hour period prior to travel. The RVC will contribute up to £100 for the cost of the pre-arrival test. Information on how to claim this can be found here.
  
  The UK Government has recently increased the self-isolation requirements for travellers from countries on the Red List meaning that if you have been in, or travelled through a Red List country you will have to self-isolate in UK Government approved hotels at your own cost for 10 days without the ability to Test and Release. More information about booking a room in a quarantine hotel approved by this scheme can be found here. The current cost for 1 adult is £1750.
  
  Students from Red List countries who are currently in the UK are encouraged to discuss their travel plans for the Easter break with the Advice Centre (advice@rvc.ac.uk). We are aware that many students will be looking forward to travelling home to see family. However, the significant financial costs, as well as the wellbeing issues in self-isolating in Government mandated hotels, must also be considered.

Self-isolation confirmation

Please complete this form if you are required to 10 days self-isolation when returning to the RVC.

Self-isolation Declaration Form →

For those of you in RVC accommodation, please refer to that page for additional information.