The health, safety and wellbeing of our students and staff is our highest priority. Whilst these are extremely challenging times, our team have been working hard with academic and professional services staff so that we can offer support for your year abroad. Below we have included some FAQs which we hope can provide some clarity. You can also find regularly updated guidance about COVID-19 on the DMU website.
Do I need to self-isolate when I arrive in my host country?
It is your responsibility to ensure that you check the latest government guidance on whether it is necessary to quarantine on arrival. Should this be required, you should ensure that you meet the isolation requirements, taking practical steps to ensure measures are in place to ensure this is possible i.e. accommodation and arrangements for meals. Your host university will communicate requirements, help and guidance before you arrive and during any period quarantine.
What should I do if a local or national lockdown is reinstated in the country I am studying in?
Given the changing nature of the pandemic, it is possible that local or national lockdowns may be implemented in destinations where DMU students are studying. If this is the case, you should follow the requirements outlined by government and the advice you will receive from your host university.
What steps should I take if I want to return early from my exchange?
If you would like to return home or think that you want to return home before your intended return date, please email us on studentexchange@dmu.ac.uk and we will endeavour to advise and support you further. We ask that DMU students continue to check the latest FCO advice to overseas travellers, as well as to continue to monitor communications from the Global Mobility Office and your host university.
What should I do if my host university has now moved to online teaching for the rest of the academic year?
In the event of your host university reverting to online teaching, please continue to follow the schedule of teaching from your host university, meeting deadlines and continuing to complete assessments. Should you choose not to complete your mobility online, you may be liable to partially repay grants/bursaries received and will not be eligible to receive recognition for your year abroad.
Will I need to repay any of my bursary if I return home early?
Should you return home early and this is not advised by the government, you may be asked to repay part of your Erasmus+ grant/Student Exchange bursary. In some situations, it may be possible to complete some of your study and assessments remotely and if you choose not to complete this, your grant calculation will be affected.
Am I liable for accommodation costs in my host country if I have to return home early?
If you have accommodation arrangements in place at your host university, you may still be liable for these costs should you return early. We recommend that you contact your host university/accommodation provider to discuss your options – some providers may offer greater leniency in ending signed agreements early due to COVID-19.
How will this situation impact the recognition of my year abroad?
All students who successfully pass their year abroad are still able to receive formal recognition and will graduate with the degree award ‘BA/BSc XXX with year abroad’. If you do not complete the year/choose not to complete your studies remotely, your year abroad will not be recognised.
We will continue to send email updates to all exchange students, and encourage you to check your emails frequently. If you have any specific questions, please contact us at studentexchange@dmu.ac.uk
This page was updated on Friday 10 December 2021.