We are updating these webpages with information and guidance on a regular basis to reflect the latest government advice. Please use the pages below to access the information most relevant to you.
We urge our community to follow government guidance to help control the spread of Covid-19.
Easter Term starts on 26 April. We ask students not to come back to Durham ahead of that date or before government gives consent, unless it is essential you do so to support your educational needs. We are working with our partners to press the UK Government to provide clarity on plans for the safe resumption of Covid-secure face-to-face teaching. Visit our Position Statements page to read our latest Easter Term update.
We will ensure that students receive a first-rate education and achieve their learning outcomes on time, and that students are not disadvantaged during the pandemic.
Visit the "Latest news" sections for students and staff for more information.
Last updated on 08/04/2021
New / updated FAQs
Please see below for FAQs added or updated week commencing 29 March 2021.
A number of FAQs for staff have been updated in the following sections:
I can’t get back to the UK because of Covid-19, which means I will have been out of the UK for over 12 months. Am I still eligible for the EU Settlement Scheme? Are there any concessions?
Those with pre-settled and settled status
- If you are a student with pre-settled status, you can spend up to 2 years in a row outside the UK without losing your pre-settled status. However, if you want to later qualify for settled status you will need to maintain your continuous residence, and not be absent from the UK for over 12 months. If you are absent from the UK for over 12 months, your pre-settled status will end after 5 years (from the date it was granted). Once it has ended, you will be subject to UK immigration rules and may need to apply for a visa to stay in the UK.
- If you are a student with settled status, you can spend up to 5 years in a row outside the UK without losing your status. If you do spend over 5 years outside of the UK however, you will lose your settled status and be subject to immigration rules and may need to apply for a visa to return to the UK.
25 March
All staff and postgraduate research students: Covid-19 update
All undergraduate and postgraduate taught students: Covid-19 update
17 March
All staff and postgraduate research students: Covid-19 update
All undergraduate and postgraduate taught students: Covid-19 update
11 March
All staff and postgraduate research students: Covid-19 update
All undergraduate and postgraduate taught students: Covid-19 update
26 February
All undergraduate and postgraduate taught students: An update from the Vice-Chancellor
All staff: An update from the Vice-Chancellor
All postgraduate research students: An update from the Vice-Chancellor
23 February
All staff and postgraduate research students: UK Government announcement
All undergraduate and postgraduate taught students: UK Government announcement
11 February
All staff and postgraduate research students: Academic Safety Net
All Foundation Programme and undergraduate students: Academic Safety Net
All postgraduate taught students: Academic Safety Net
19 January
All staff and postgraduate research students: Covid-19 update
All undergraduate and postgraduate taught students: Covid-19 update
14 January
All staff and postgraduate research students: Covid-19 update
All undergraduate and postgraduate taught students: Covid-19 update
13 January
All staff email: Temporary job retention scheme
7 January
All staff and postgraduate research students: Epiphany Term update
All undergraduate and postgraduate taught students: Epiphany Term update
5 January
All undergraduate and postgraduate taught students: Covid-19 Update: A message from the Vice-Chancellor
All staff and postgraduate research students: Covid-19 Update: A message from the Vice-Chancellor
All staff and postgraduate research students: Changes to Covid-19 restrictions
All undergraduate and postgraduate taught students: Changes to Covid-19 restrictions
1 January
All staff and postgraduate research students: Revised January return arrangements - Update
All undergraduate and postgraduate taught students: Revised January return arrangements
31 December
All staff and postgraduate research students: Revised January return arrangements
17 December
All staff and postgraduate research students: Covid-19 update
All undergraduate and postgraduate taught students: Important information about returning in January
11 December
All students: Student support and services over the winter vacation
10 December
Undergraduate and postgraduate taught students: A message from the Vice-Chancellor and Warden
4 December
Staff and postgraduate research students: Covid-19 Update 4.12.2020: Guidance on students returning to higher education in January
Undergraduate and postgraduate taught students: Covid-19 Update 4.12.2020: Guidance on students returning to higher education in January
27 November
Staff and postgraduate research students: Covid-19 update
Undergraduate and postgraduate taught students: Covid-19 update
Covid-19 Incident Control Centre
The Covid-19 Incident Control Centre (ICC) is operating 7 days a week. Open from 8am to 8pm Monday-Friday, and 9am to 5pm Saturday-Sunday, and can be contacted in the event of an incident by email or on 0191 334 0000. Outside of these hours, the telephone will be answered by Security.
To report a Covid-19 breach, call 101 to speak to the local police.
Easter vacation
Information for students on support and services over the Easter vacation can be found here.