Additional advice and guidance for Entry 2020 applicants Updated 4 August 2020. This page provides you with additional information that may be useful to you as an applicant to study with us in 2020/21. We will be delivering the full range of University of Liverpool programmes and have made some important changes in order to provide you with the best student experience in the context of the current global pandemic. We have explained the main changes below. We also understand that your current studies may have been affected and have answered here some of the questions you might have about what this means for your application to study here. Please be assured we will continue to review the likely impact of the situation on all applicants and make every effort to ensure you are in no way disadvantaged in your application to join us in Liverpool. On this page you will find details relating to admissions. The frequently asked questions are split into three categories: All Applicants UK/Home Applicants International and EU applicants All Applicants Start dates What will my start date be? Please check the UK/Home Applicants section or the International and EU applicants section, for the start dates that will be relevant to you. Applying for your course Are applications still being processed? Yes. The Admissions teams are working from home and processing applications as normal. Can I defer my offer? We are looking forward to welcoming students this Autumn and returning to campus in time for the new academic year. Before you request a deferral, please read through the Teaching section below, which provides information about the measures that the University has taken to ensure the safety of our students. For the majority of programmes, the University may allow a one year deferral for offers and applications. If you wish to defer please email the Admissions team. I have applied for deferred entry what happens to my application? Applicants who have applied for 2021 entry will have their application processed. Applicants who are awarded examinations/assessments during 2020 will not be disadvantaged. I have applied for deferred entry but I have changed my mind and would like to be considered for 2020 entry, what should I do? If you are interested in moving your year of entry please contact the Admissions team. We will endeavour to be as flexible as possible. Will response time for applications be affected with the university working offsite? The Admissions team are continuing work from home and applications are being processed as quickly as possible. We would ask that applicants are as patient as possible as it may take slightly longer than normal to process applications. What is the latest date that I can start my programme for 2020/21 entry? At present, the latest date for registration is two weeks from the start date of the programme (12 October). The University is continuing to review the changing situation and any updates will be published on this page. I cannot get hold of the documents Admissions have requested, what shall I do? We are aware that delays may be unavoidable for you in gathering the information needed to support your application. We will be as flexible as possible and will acceptance alternative proof of completion of qualifications. Please contact the Admissions team to discuss the documents your are able to provide. Final transcripts and Degree certificates will need to be provided at a later date. Teaching What will my teaching programme be like in 2020/21? We are currently developing an innovative new learning model with our academic staff, which we anticipate will provide every student with a mix of face-to-face teaching in smaller group classes and laboratories (not large lectures) and virtual teaching sessions, to provide the best student experience while accounting for appropriate social distancing and hygiene regimes. Academic colleagues across the institution are working hard to think through how each of your programmes is delivered to ensure the best possible experience. We are distinct from many other universities in having a long and established track record of highly regarded postgraduate online learning provision and we will be putting this experience to good use as we develop our plans. Will there be any face to face teaching? If so, how will you ensure that it will be carried out in a safe environment? Yes. As mentioned above, we anticipate every student will receive a mix of face-to-face teaching in smaller group classes or laboratories (not large lectures), as well as virtual teaching sessions, and we are putting in place a range of additional measures to ensure our campus is a safe and welcoming place to live and study. Socially distant study space, a teaching schedule that reduces the volume of students moving around the campus at any one-time, one-way walking routes and increased hygiene regimes are all measures we are planning to introduce. In addition, washable face coverings for every student will be distributed during welcome events, along with guidance on how they should be used. More detailed information on how we plan to ensure our campus is a safe environment for everyone, is included further on in this list of FAQs. Your health and wellbeing How will you keep the campus safe? We are putting in place a range of additional measures to make sure our campus remains a safe and welcoming place to live, work and study. The University has been at the forefront of regional and national efforts to respond to the pandemic and we are well placed to use our expertise and facilities to put in place innovative measures to help protect our staff and student community. The measures we plan to introduce will include (but not be limited to): A campus environment that continues to offer safe access to the University grounds and buildings, supported by new arrangements to ensure that safe, socially distant study space is available in our libraries, a teaching schedule that reduces the volume of students moving around the campus at any one time, one-way walking routes, adapted catering facilities and, where possible and in line with government guidance, sports and leisure opportunities. The provision of washable face coverings for every student and staff member, which will be distributed along with guidance on how they should be used. Access for all students and staff, with symptoms, to free COVID-19 testing on campus, with results provided within 24 hours, to complement any testing arrangements available publicly at the time and support a ‘test and trace’ approach to containing the virus. While we await more detail from central Government regarding how testing availability will be rolled out, we are developing plans to implement this from the start of term using our own facilities and staff. Arrangements that allow you to continue to enjoy the same high standards of accommodation in our University halls of residence, with measures to enable social distancing, including a phased and contactless arrivals process, use of automatic gates and doors, tailored warden welcome and induction events, ‘quarantine’ support for overseas students and new cleaning regimes. Continued support from the Advice and Guidance team. The team will be operating a hybrid model, with a mixture of online, telephone and face-to-face services, which will be tailored to reflect the current circumstances and to meet your needs. A range of opportunities to ensure that you can continue to participate in university- and Guild-run social activities in a safe way. Prior to our move off campus, we had already put in place a more rigorous cleaning regime throughout university buildings and made hand sanitiser more widely available. Both these important measures will continue and hand sanitiser points will be clearly labelled across campus. What support services are available? The wellbeing of our students is extremely important to us and we recognise that sometimes you might need to speak to somebody about any worries or concerns you are experiencing at this important time in your life. Our Advice and Guidance team will offer a range of support services for you to access online, over the telephone and face-to-face, so that you can access friendly support when you need it. How do I contact Admissions? Please contact Admissions via our Enquiries team at irro@liverpool.ac.uk or via the virtual advisor. Additional contact details are available here. UK/Home Applicants Start dates What will my start date be? Undergraduate Your Foundation Week will begin on Monday 5 October and then your normal teaching programme will begin on Monday 12 October. However, we will invite you to join us in Liverpool during September, as explained below. If you plan to live in one of our halls of residence, you will be allocated a timed slot for your arrival between Saturday 26 September and Friday 2 October. A welcome programme will run throughout that week to help you settle in. If you live in our halls, please note you will only be charged for your room from Monday 5 October onwards. The week beginning 5 October is our new Foundation Week, which will include a varied programme designed to build and enhance your study skills, as well as activities to help you get to know your fellow students. This will ensure that you feel ready and prepared to take full advantage of your time in Liverpool from the outset. Your regular timetable will then start on Monday 12 October. Postgraduate Taught Reflecting the unique circumstances, we have decided that this year we will offer greater flexibility on start dates for our Postgraduate Taught programmes. We hope that this will support you as you plan for the future. We have a range of start dates in October, November and January, with some of our most popular programmes offering a choice between two dates. Please check our website to find out which applies to you. I’m worried I won’t be able to arrive in time for the beginning of my course. Will I be able to study remotely? Although our aim is for students to study with us here in Liverpool, we recognise that the course of the pandemic is unpredictable and may cause further disruption. If you are unable to study on campus from the beginning of term, for example because of government travel restrictions on travel, or if you would prefer to delay your arrival based on your own personal circumstances, provision will be made for you to begin your studies online. Further guidance My school/college has closed for an extended period and this may affect my studies. Will the University take this into consideration when I receive my results? We recognise that schools and colleges may experience disruption to teaching, coursework and examinations and we are monitoring the advice and guidance from the Department of Education, Ofqual and awarding bodies. We have established processes in place for dealing with extenuating circumstances and as part of this we will guided by the consideration given by awarding bodies. Please ask your school/college to contact the Admissions team with information about the impact of the closure on your studies. I am unable to attend my school/college. I’m receiving tuition and support remotely, but my grades might be lower than predicted. Will my circumstances be taken into account when you are confirming places? We have established processes in place for dealing with extenuating circumstances and as part of this we will guided by the consideration given by awarding bodies. Please ask your school/college to contact the Admissions team with information about the disruption to your studies. I am studying a foundation year at another university and hold a Conditional offer for entry to Year 1. My university might not be able to complete my assessment and could award pass/fail to students. How will this impact on my offer? We understand that providers may be finding alternative ways to teach and assess their students as a result of COVID-19. Once your university has confirmed how your foundation year will be assessed and you have your results please contact the Admissions Team so we can consider your results and circumstances. I won’t be able to complete my Practical science endorsement. What happens? If you are unable to complete your practical science endorsement please contact the admissions team directly. I am studying my examinations as a private candidate. How will my application and results be approached? We understand that private candidates will be concerned about how their grades will be awarded and we are monitoring advice from Ofqual to inform our approach. Some applicants may have previous or regular contact with the centre they are registered with which will enable the centre to provide grades. For other students it may be difficult for the centre to provide a grade. If a centre is not able to provide a grade please contact the admissions team. Where an applicant cannot provide a grade we will ask applicants to do one or more of the following: Attend an online interview with their chosen Department Provide a piece of written assessment work set by their chosen Department Provide previous evidence of other qualifications successfully completed All applicants will be reviewed on a case by case basis. If the above is not possible applicants may need to take exams in the future. Should I still apply for my student loan for next year? Yes. If you need to access student finance, please remember you need to make a new application for each year of your course. We encourage students to apply as early as possible, as if your application is made late you may not have the funds available to support you by the time term starts in the autumn. If you are a UK full-time student, you can apply for funding by selecting the relevant website from the list below: England (GOV.UK) Scotland (Student Awards Agency for Scotland) Northern Ireland (Student Finance NI) Wales (Student Finance Wales) If you are a part-time student you can find more information on our finance pages. International and EU Applicants For queries relating specifically to entry to Pre-sessional programmes at the University, please see the English Language Centre FAQ’s For the latest guidance on Tier 4 visas please read this document. Start dates What will my start date be? Undergraduate Your Foundation Week will begin on Monday 5 October and then your normal teaching programme will begin on Monday 12 October. However, we will invite you to join us in Liverpool during September, as explained below. Based on the most recent update from the UK Government, if you are arriving from overseas you may then need to self-isolate in your accommodation for 14-days. We will advise you if this situation changes but, if not, we will ask you to arrive between 12 and 18 September to begin the 14-day period and we will do everything we can to make sure you are comfortable and able to use this time to adapt to your new environment. You will be offered a variety of online webinars and presentations along with an English language programme. If you plan to live in the University’s halls of residence, our staff will be available to help you with supplies and any other support you need, and we are currently talking to other accommodation providers in the city about how you would be supported living in their accommodation. Please note that, if you live in the University’s halls of residence, you will only be charged for your room from Monday 5 October, when our new Foundation Week begins. The Foundation Week is for all of our Undergraduate students and will include a varied programme designed to build and enhance your study skills as well as activities to help you get to know your fellow students. Your regular timetable will then start on Monday 12 October. Postgraduate Taught Reflecting the unique circumstances, we have decided that this year we will offer greater flexibility on start dates for our Postgraduate Taught programmes, which we hope will support you in planning for your future. We now have a range of start dates in October, November and January, with some of our most popular programmes offering a choice between two dates. Please check our website to find out which applies to you. Although the situation may change, please be aware that if you are arriving directly from overseas we anticipate that measures introduced by the UK Government may require you to self-isolate in your accommodation for 14-days. If this is the case when you are due to begin your studies, we will be in touch about how we will support you during this period. I’m worried I won’t be able to arrive in time for the beginning of my course. Will I be able to study remotely? Although our aim is for students to study with us here in Liverpool, we recognise that the course of the pandemic is unpredictable and may cause further disruption. If you are unable to study on campus from the beginning of term, for example because of government travel restrictions on travel, or if you would prefer to delay your arrival based on your own personal circumstances, provision will be made for you to begin your studies online. Quarantine arrangements Can you tell me more about ‘quarantine’? On 3 July the UK Government introduced a 14 day ‘quarantine’ period for everyone entering the UK from certain countries. Some countries have been identified as ‘exempt’ from this policy, because they are: covered by the travel corridor exemption within the common travel area (Ireland, the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man) British overseas territories You can find out more about the exemption list here. This measure will be continually reviewed by the Government on a rolling-basis, as will the list of countries affected and those on the exemption list. Although we cannot be certain what the policy will be when you join us in a couple of months’ time, in the interest of helping you have adequate time to plan, we wanted to make you aware of current Government policy and our plans to support you with it. We would ask that you continue to check the status of the country you are travelling from, and adapt plans accordingly. It is important to say that the UK Government’s approach to ‘quarantine’ is different from that of many other countries. On arrival, current Government advice indicates that you will be asked to complete a form providing your contact and travel information before being asked to self-isolate in your planned accommodation for 14 days. This means you will be able to self-isolate either in University halls or in your own private accommodation, depending on which you have booked for the coming year. The Government have said they will carry out some spot checks to ensure self-isolation is being carried out and penalties will be in place for those who do not comply. Throughout the ‘quarantine’ period, we will be here to support you. For those of you booked to live in University halls, we will support you with accessing supplies. You will also have check-in chats and the Halls Life Student Experience team and Student Support will be on hand for further support. Study and support materials will be made available during this time. For those of you booked into private accommodation, we are working closely with landlords in the private sector to clarify arrangements they have in place for supporting you during this time and we are also in the process of working with local partners to establish plans for support in accessing supplies. You will also have check-in chats and Student Support will be on hand to support you through this period. Whatever your return date, all students in university-owned accommodation will only be charged for their room from 5 October onwards. What if ‘quarantine’ arrangements change? If the Government’s plans for ‘quarantine’ change, we will be in touch with you as soon as possible with more information. If you book an earlier flight and the UK government subsequently removes ‘quarantine’ restrictions, we will still be here to welcome you on the earlier date. We will also, of course, ensure accommodation is still available to you and we will still commit to all students in university-owned accommodation only being charged for their room from 5 October onwards. Further guidance My local IELTS testing centre is currently closed due to coronavirus. Can I apply to study at the University without a valid English Language test? The British Council have revised their statements on IELTS and some countries have exams available, details can be found here. If you cannot book an IELTS test, you might be able to use an older IELTS result or a combination of 2 valid IELTS tests to support your application to academic study at the University. Please contact the admissions team directly to check if your IELTS meets our entry requirements. Please be aware that the University accepts a variety of English Language tests, SELT and non-SELT. Please view our English language requirements page for further information. I have an IELTS test booked in July. Will I be able to participate in the test? IELTS advise that if you are concerned or have questions about an upcoming test, please email the test centre directly. Further advice can be found at the IELTS website. Currently we are not accepting the IELTS indicator test for entry, however this is under review. Are the University able to test my English Language instead of having to present an acceptable SELT or non-SELT? The University does not currently offer this service and applicants for academic study must present a valid SELT or non-SELT. The University will accept the following as evidence of English Language: Duolingo Password (only when previously studied at another HEI, with evidence provided) TOEFL Home Edition Acceptance of all other Russell Group University and BALEAP (British Association of Lecturers in English Academic Purposes) accredited pre-sessional English Language programmes. Please see our English Language criteria for further details for specific entry requirements or contact our Admissions team. I am required to make a tuition fee deposit payment of £1,000 and my original deadline was 28th February can I have an extension? For those applicants from the University of Liverpool Management School who were due to pay a £1,000 deposit by 28th February 2020 they now have an extension. Please email pgosi@liverpool.ac.uk for details. I am required to make a tuition fee deposit payment of £1,000. If I make a payment, will this be refunded if I am unable to travel due to restrictions in September. For offer holders affected by disruption to travel plans which results in them being unable to register for study at the University in September, a full refund of the £1,000 will be issued. The Fees Team will process refunds in January 2021. I am required to apply for Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) clearance but the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office are not accepting new ATAS applications at the moment. How do I apply? The latest information that the University have received from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) is that at https://www.gov.uk/guidance/academic-technology-approval-scheme which states that the FCO are not currently accepting new ATAS applications at the current time. The University and other Russell Group universities have raised this with the FCO as an item that needs immediate attention and we are hoping that a resolution is imminent. As it stands, current guidance still remains and any applicant who requires an ATAS certificate is expected to apply for and to obtain clearance before we can issue a CAS statement to support a Tier 4 visa application. The University will not waive the ATAS certificate requirement where one is necessary. My exams have been delayed or cancelled what should I do? We are aware that changes have been made to some exams and results outside the UK. This includes: IB Diploma exams cancelled in all countries SAT exams cancelled in May and AP exams replaced with online versions Exams postponed in India Cambridge International exams cancelled including Cambridge IGCSEs, O levels, AS and A levels HKDSE results delayed to 15 July 2020 Gaokao exams in China rescheduled in July If you are concerned about delays or cancelled exams or qualifications please contact our admissions team. Study at my university has been delayed and we will not begin semester 2 teaching until later in the year. Therefore, I expect that I will not get my graduation documents until August, which is after the International application deadline of 31st July. Can I still apply for 2020 entry? The University will apply a degree of flexibility to international applicants and offer holders who expect that they will experience delays in commencing their studies in September due to issues surrounding the coronavirus. You may be encouraged to utilise priority visa services available in your country where a priority decision is usually made within 5 working days. Arrival at the University Do you offer an airport transfer service to campus? This will be confirmed at a later date. We are reviewing this service and will contact confirmed offer holders if this is available. My programme start date is November. What welcome activities will be available? The University is currently reviewing welcome activities and programmes for all incoming students, regardless of start date. This will be confirmed at a later date.
Additional advice and guidance for Entry 2020 applicants Updated 4 August 2020. This page provides you with additional information that may be useful to you as an applicant to study with us in 2020/21. We will be delivering the full range of University of Liverpool programmes and have made some important changes in order to provide you with the best student experience in the context of the current global pandemic. We have explained the main changes below. We also understand that your current studies may have been affected and have answered here some of the questions you might have about what this means for your application to study here. Please be assured we will continue to review the likely impact of the situation on all applicants and make every effort to ensure you are in no way disadvantaged in your application to join us in Liverpool. On this page you will find details relating to admissions. The frequently asked questions are split into three categories: All Applicants UK/Home Applicants International and EU applicants All Applicants Start dates What will my start date be? Please check the UK/Home Applicants section or the International and EU applicants section, for the start dates that will be relevant to you. Applying for your course Are applications still being processed? Yes. The Admissions teams are working from home and processing applications as normal. Can I defer my offer? We are looking forward to welcoming students this Autumn and returning to campus in time for the new academic year. Before you request a deferral, please read through the Teaching section below, which provides information about the measures that the University has taken to ensure the safety of our students. For the majority of programmes, the University may allow a one year deferral for offers and applications. If you wish to defer please email the Admissions team. I have applied for deferred entry what happens to my application? Applicants who have applied for 2021 entry will have their application processed. Applicants who are awarded examinations/assessments during 2020 will not be disadvantaged. I have applied for deferred entry but I have changed my mind and would like to be considered for 2020 entry, what should I do? If you are interested in moving your year of entry please contact the Admissions team. We will endeavour to be as flexible as possible. Will response time for applications be affected with the university working offsite? The Admissions team are continuing work from home and applications are being processed as quickly as possible. We would ask that applicants are as patient as possible as it may take slightly longer than normal to process applications. What is the latest date that I can start my programme for 2020/21 entry? At present, the latest date for registration is two weeks from the start date of the programme (12 October). The University is continuing to review the changing situation and any updates will be published on this page. I cannot get hold of the documents Admissions have requested, what shall I do? We are aware that delays may be unavoidable for you in gathering the information needed to support your application. We will be as flexible as possible and will acceptance alternative proof of completion of qualifications. Please contact the Admissions team to discuss the documents your are able to provide. Final transcripts and Degree certificates will need to be provided at a later date. Teaching What will my teaching programme be like in 2020/21? We are currently developing an innovative new learning model with our academic staff, which we anticipate will provide every student with a mix of face-to-face teaching in smaller group classes and laboratories (not large lectures) and virtual teaching sessions, to provide the best student experience while accounting for appropriate social distancing and hygiene regimes. Academic colleagues across the institution are working hard to think through how each of your programmes is delivered to ensure the best possible experience. We are distinct from many other universities in having a long and established track record of highly regarded postgraduate online learning provision and we will be putting this experience to good use as we develop our plans. Will there be any face to face teaching? If so, how will you ensure that it will be carried out in a safe environment? Yes. As mentioned above, we anticipate every student will receive a mix of face-to-face teaching in smaller group classes or laboratories (not large lectures), as well as virtual teaching sessions, and we are putting in place a range of additional measures to ensure our campus is a safe and welcoming place to live and study. Socially distant study space, a teaching schedule that reduces the volume of students moving around the campus at any one-time, one-way walking routes and increased hygiene regimes are all measures we are planning to introduce. In addition, washable face coverings for every student will be distributed during welcome events, along with guidance on how they should be used. More detailed information on how we plan to ensure our campus is a safe environment for everyone, is included further on in this list of FAQs. Your health and wellbeing How will you keep the campus safe? We are putting in place a range of additional measures to make sure our campus remains a safe and welcoming place to live, work and study. The University has been at the forefront of regional and national efforts to respond to the pandemic and we are well placed to use our expertise and facilities to put in place innovative measures to help protect our staff and student community. The measures we plan to introduce will include (but not be limited to): A campus environment that continues to offer safe access to the University grounds and buildings, supported by new arrangements to ensure that safe, socially distant study space is available in our libraries, a teaching schedule that reduces the volume of students moving around the campus at any one time, one-way walking routes, adapted catering facilities and, where possible and in line with government guidance, sports and leisure opportunities. The provision of washable face coverings for every student and staff member, which will be distributed along with guidance on how they should be used. Access for all students and staff, with symptoms, to free COVID-19 testing on campus, with results provided within 24 hours, to complement any testing arrangements available publicly at the time and support a ‘test and trace’ approach to containing the virus. While we await more detail from central Government regarding how testing availability will be rolled out, we are developing plans to implement this from the start of term using our own facilities and staff. Arrangements that allow you to continue to enjoy the same high standards of accommodation in our University halls of residence, with measures to enable social distancing, including a phased and contactless arrivals process, use of automatic gates and doors, tailored warden welcome and induction events, ‘quarantine’ support for overseas students and new cleaning regimes. Continued support from the Advice and Guidance team. The team will be operating a hybrid model, with a mixture of online, telephone and face-to-face services, which will be tailored to reflect the current circumstances and to meet your needs. A range of opportunities to ensure that you can continue to participate in university- and Guild-run social activities in a safe way. Prior to our move off campus, we had already put in place a more rigorous cleaning regime throughout university buildings and made hand sanitiser more widely available. Both these important measures will continue and hand sanitiser points will be clearly labelled across campus. What support services are available? The wellbeing of our students is extremely important to us and we recognise that sometimes you might need to speak to somebody about any worries or concerns you are experiencing at this important time in your life. Our Advice and Guidance team will offer a range of support services for you to access online, over the telephone and face-to-face, so that you can access friendly support when you need it. How do I contact Admissions? Please contact Admissions via our Enquiries team at irro@liverpool.ac.uk or via the virtual advisor. Additional contact details are available here. UK/Home Applicants Start dates What will my start date be? Undergraduate Your Foundation Week will begin on Monday 5 October and then your normal teaching programme will begin on Monday 12 October. However, we will invite you to join us in Liverpool during September, as explained below. If you plan to live in one of our halls of residence, you will be allocated a timed slot for your arrival between Saturday 26 September and Friday 2 October. A welcome programme will run throughout that week to help you settle in. If you live in our halls, please note you will only be charged for your room from Monday 5 October onwards. The week beginning 5 October is our new Foundation Week, which will include a varied programme designed to build and enhance your study skills, as well as activities to help you get to know your fellow students. This will ensure that you feel ready and prepared to take full advantage of your time in Liverpool from the outset. Your regular timetable will then start on Monday 12 October. Postgraduate Taught Reflecting the unique circumstances, we have decided that this year we will offer greater flexibility on start dates for our Postgraduate Taught programmes. We hope that this will support you as you plan for the future. We have a range of start dates in October, November and January, with some of our most popular programmes offering a choice between two dates. Please check our website to find out which applies to you. I’m worried I won’t be able to arrive in time for the beginning of my course. Will I be able to study remotely? Although our aim is for students to study with us here in Liverpool, we recognise that the course of the pandemic is unpredictable and may cause further disruption. If you are unable to study on campus from the beginning of term, for example because of government travel restrictions on travel, or if you would prefer to delay your arrival based on your own personal circumstances, provision will be made for you to begin your studies online. Further guidance My school/college has closed for an extended period and this may affect my studies. Will the University take this into consideration when I receive my results? We recognise that schools and colleges may experience disruption to teaching, coursework and examinations and we are monitoring the advice and guidance from the Department of Education, Ofqual and awarding bodies. We have established processes in place for dealing with extenuating circumstances and as part of this we will guided by the consideration given by awarding bodies. Please ask your school/college to contact the Admissions team with information about the impact of the closure on your studies. I am unable to attend my school/college. I’m receiving tuition and support remotely, but my grades might be lower than predicted. Will my circumstances be taken into account when you are confirming places? We have established processes in place for dealing with extenuating circumstances and as part of this we will guided by the consideration given by awarding bodies. Please ask your school/college to contact the Admissions team with information about the disruption to your studies. I am studying a foundation year at another university and hold a Conditional offer for entry to Year 1. My university might not be able to complete my assessment and could award pass/fail to students. How will this impact on my offer? We understand that providers may be finding alternative ways to teach and assess their students as a result of COVID-19. Once your university has confirmed how your foundation year will be assessed and you have your results please contact the Admissions Team so we can consider your results and circumstances. I won’t be able to complete my Practical science endorsement. What happens? If you are unable to complete your practical science endorsement please contact the admissions team directly. I am studying my examinations as a private candidate. How will my application and results be approached? We understand that private candidates will be concerned about how their grades will be awarded and we are monitoring advice from Ofqual to inform our approach. Some applicants may have previous or regular contact with the centre they are registered with which will enable the centre to provide grades. For other students it may be difficult for the centre to provide a grade. If a centre is not able to provide a grade please contact the admissions team. Where an applicant cannot provide a grade we will ask applicants to do one or more of the following: Attend an online interview with their chosen Department Provide a piece of written assessment work set by their chosen Department Provide previous evidence of other qualifications successfully completed All applicants will be reviewed on a case by case basis. If the above is not possible applicants may need to take exams in the future. Should I still apply for my student loan for next year? Yes. If you need to access student finance, please remember you need to make a new application for each year of your course. We encourage students to apply as early as possible, as if your application is made late you may not have the funds available to support you by the time term starts in the autumn. If you are a UK full-time student, you can apply for funding by selecting the relevant website from the list below: England (GOV.UK) Scotland (Student Awards Agency for Scotland) Northern Ireland (Student Finance NI) Wales (Student Finance Wales) If you are a part-time student you can find more information on our finance pages. International and EU Applicants For queries relating specifically to entry to Pre-sessional programmes at the University, please see the English Language Centre FAQ’s For the latest guidance on Tier 4 visas please read this document. Start dates What will my start date be? Undergraduate Your Foundation Week will begin on Monday 5 October and then your normal teaching programme will begin on Monday 12 October. However, we will invite you to join us in Liverpool during September, as explained below. Based on the most recent update from the UK Government, if you are arriving from overseas you may then need to self-isolate in your accommodation for 14-days. We will advise you if this situation changes but, if not, we will ask you to arrive between 12 and 18 September to begin the 14-day period and we will do everything we can to make sure you are comfortable and able to use this time to adapt to your new environment. You will be offered a variety of online webinars and presentations along with an English language programme. If you plan to live in the University’s halls of residence, our staff will be available to help you with supplies and any other support you need, and we are currently talking to other accommodation providers in the city about how you would be supported living in their accommodation. Please note that, if you live in the University’s halls of residence, you will only be charged for your room from Monday 5 October, when our new Foundation Week begins. The Foundation Week is for all of our Undergraduate students and will include a varied programme designed to build and enhance your study skills as well as activities to help you get to know your fellow students. Your regular timetable will then start on Monday 12 October. Postgraduate Taught Reflecting the unique circumstances, we have decided that this year we will offer greater flexibility on start dates for our Postgraduate Taught programmes, which we hope will support you in planning for your future. We now have a range of start dates in October, November and January, with some of our most popular programmes offering a choice between two dates. Please check our website to find out which applies to you. Although the situation may change, please be aware that if you are arriving directly from overseas we anticipate that measures introduced by the UK Government may require you to self-isolate in your accommodation for 14-days. If this is the case when you are due to begin your studies, we will be in touch about how we will support you during this period. I’m worried I won’t be able to arrive in time for the beginning of my course. Will I be able to study remotely? Although our aim is for students to study with us here in Liverpool, we recognise that the course of the pandemic is unpredictable and may cause further disruption. If you are unable to study on campus from the beginning of term, for example because of government travel restrictions on travel, or if you would prefer to delay your arrival based on your own personal circumstances, provision will be made for you to begin your studies online. Quarantine arrangements Can you tell me more about ‘quarantine’? On 3 July the UK Government introduced a 14 day ‘quarantine’ period for everyone entering the UK from certain countries. Some countries have been identified as ‘exempt’ from this policy, because they are: covered by the travel corridor exemption within the common travel area (Ireland, the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man) British overseas territories You can find out more about the exemption list here. This measure will be continually reviewed by the Government on a rolling-basis, as will the list of countries affected and those on the exemption list. Although we cannot be certain what the policy will be when you join us in a couple of months’ time, in the interest of helping you have adequate time to plan, we wanted to make you aware of current Government policy and our plans to support you with it. We would ask that you continue to check the status of the country you are travelling from, and adapt plans accordingly. It is important to say that the UK Government’s approach to ‘quarantine’ is different from that of many other countries. On arrival, current Government advice indicates that you will be asked to complete a form providing your contact and travel information before being asked to self-isolate in your planned accommodation for 14 days. This means you will be able to self-isolate either in University halls or in your own private accommodation, depending on which you have booked for the coming year. The Government have said they will carry out some spot checks to ensure self-isolation is being carried out and penalties will be in place for those who do not comply. Throughout the ‘quarantine’ period, we will be here to support you. For those of you booked to live in University halls, we will support you with accessing supplies. You will also have check-in chats and the Halls Life Student Experience team and Student Support will be on hand for further support. Study and support materials will be made available during this time. For those of you booked into private accommodation, we are working closely with landlords in the private sector to clarify arrangements they have in place for supporting you during this time and we are also in the process of working with local partners to establish plans for support in accessing supplies. You will also have check-in chats and Student Support will be on hand to support you through this period. Whatever your return date, all students in university-owned accommodation will only be charged for their room from 5 October onwards. What if ‘quarantine’ arrangements change? If the Government’s plans for ‘quarantine’ change, we will be in touch with you as soon as possible with more information. If you book an earlier flight and the UK government subsequently removes ‘quarantine’ restrictions, we will still be here to welcome you on the earlier date. We will also, of course, ensure accommodation is still available to you and we will still commit to all students in university-owned accommodation only being charged for their room from 5 October onwards. Further guidance My local IELTS testing centre is currently closed due to coronavirus. Can I apply to study at the University without a valid English Language test? The British Council have revised their statements on IELTS and some countries have exams available, details can be found here. If you cannot book an IELTS test, you might be able to use an older IELTS result or a combination of 2 valid IELTS tests to support your application to academic study at the University. Please contact the admissions team directly to check if your IELTS meets our entry requirements. Please be aware that the University accepts a variety of English Language tests, SELT and non-SELT. Please view our English language requirements page for further information. I have an IELTS test booked in July. Will I be able to participate in the test? IELTS advise that if you are concerned or have questions about an upcoming test, please email the test centre directly. Further advice can be found at the IELTS website. Currently we are not accepting the IELTS indicator test for entry, however this is under review. Are the University able to test my English Language instead of having to present an acceptable SELT or non-SELT? The University does not currently offer this service and applicants for academic study must present a valid SELT or non-SELT. The University will accept the following as evidence of English Language: Duolingo Password (only when previously studied at another HEI, with evidence provided) TOEFL Home Edition Acceptance of all other Russell Group University and BALEAP (British Association of Lecturers in English Academic Purposes) accredited pre-sessional English Language programmes. Please see our English Language criteria for further details for specific entry requirements or contact our Admissions team. I am required to make a tuition fee deposit payment of £1,000 and my original deadline was 28th February can I have an extension? For those applicants from the University of Liverpool Management School who were due to pay a £1,000 deposit by 28th February 2020 they now have an extension. Please email pgosi@liverpool.ac.uk for details. I am required to make a tuition fee deposit payment of £1,000. If I make a payment, will this be refunded if I am unable to travel due to restrictions in September. For offer holders affected by disruption to travel plans which results in them being unable to register for study at the University in September, a full refund of the £1,000 will be issued. The Fees Team will process refunds in January 2021. I am required to apply for Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) clearance but the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office are not accepting new ATAS applications at the moment. How do I apply? The latest information that the University have received from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) is that at https://www.gov.uk/guidance/academic-technology-approval-scheme which states that the FCO are not currently accepting new ATAS applications at the current time. The University and other Russell Group universities have raised this with the FCO as an item that needs immediate attention and we are hoping that a resolution is imminent. As it stands, current guidance still remains and any applicant who requires an ATAS certificate is expected to apply for and to obtain clearance before we can issue a CAS statement to support a Tier 4 visa application. The University will not waive the ATAS certificate requirement where one is necessary. My exams have been delayed or cancelled what should I do? We are aware that changes have been made to some exams and results outside the UK. This includes: IB Diploma exams cancelled in all countries SAT exams cancelled in May and AP exams replaced with online versions Exams postponed in India Cambridge International exams cancelled including Cambridge IGCSEs, O levels, AS and A levels HKDSE results delayed to 15 July 2020 Gaokao exams in China rescheduled in July If you are concerned about delays or cancelled exams or qualifications please contact our admissions team. Study at my university has been delayed and we will not begin semester 2 teaching until later in the year. Therefore, I expect that I will not get my graduation documents until August, which is after the International application deadline of 31st July. Can I still apply for 2020 entry? The University will apply a degree of flexibility to international applicants and offer holders who expect that they will experience delays in commencing their studies in September due to issues surrounding the coronavirus. You may be encouraged to utilise priority visa services available in your country where a priority decision is usually made within 5 working days. Arrival at the University Do you offer an airport transfer service to campus? This will be confirmed at a later date. We are reviewing this service and will contact confirmed offer holders if this is available. My programme start date is November. What welcome activities will be available? The University is currently reviewing welcome activities and programmes for all incoming students, regardless of start date. This will be confirmed at a later date.