What is it like for international students travelling to the UK now?

After having to postpone the start date of my PhD programme at the University of Huddersfield once already, I am glad to be writing this article about my experience of travelling to the UK as an international student. I'm writing this while isolating in the UK after my recent flight.

Travel is opening up

Things seem to be going back to normal as travel has opened up, and international students can finally start in-person classes as well.

The UK government has mandated that all full-time international students be back in the UK by 1st October, unless exempt due to extenuating circumstances. Hence, all international students need to check with their universities and teachers when they need to be present at their university.

Traveling to the UK

Honestly, travel from India to the UK was relatively smooth and pretty close to pre-Covid times, apart from a few necessary pre-travel procedures. These procedures will depend on whether your country is on the green, amber or red list in the UK. Details of which can be found on the UK Government website.

Please note that travel guidelines and restrictions are continuously evolving according to the situation. Hence, it is important that you regularly check for updates before your travel date. This is my personal experience travelling from Mumbai, India back to the UK.

7 Must-dos for international students travelling to the UK

1. Process your visa application at least 6-8 weeks before your scheduled travel date. My visa took over 5 weeks to be processed due to longer wait times. So, it’s imperative to do this at the earliest.
2. If required to self-isolate on arrival (currently 10 days for Amber list countries), please book your accommodation beforehand, as you will be required to give the isolation address prior to your travel date. Most student accommodations will assist you with grocery shopping but it’s important to check with them before.
3. Indian vaccines (Covishield and Covaxin) are currently not recognised by the UK, therefore you will have to undergo the 10-day isolation, even if you are double-vaccinated. Check the eligibility of your vaccine.
4. A passenger locator form needs to be filled in 48 hours before your scheduled travel date. The locator form requires information on your isolation address, flight details, and mandatory RT PCR test booking references.
5. A negative PCR test certificate is required for you to fly. Please ensure it is done not before 72 hours prior to your flight departure.
6. There is a mandatory day 2 and day 8 RT PCR test that you have to do after your arrival in the UK. You will need to pre-book these tests, as the booking reference numbers are required on the passenger locator form. There are several independent testing options available. The test prices range from about £40 - £150.
7. An optional day 5 ‘test to release’ RT PCR test can be done for an additional fee. If you test negative you may end your isolation period after you receive the day 5 test results. The results typically take 24-48 hours to be processed.
   However, if someone on your flight tests positive for COVID-19, you will have to complete the entire 10-day isolation period. There is a heavy fine and severe consequences if you break this isolation period, so please keep to it. It will help keep you and others safe!

My travel experience

Overall, my experience at the airports and on flight was reminiscent of pre-COVID travel. There were adequate temperature checks and only people with a negative RT PCR test were allowed to board the flight. The situation was well-managed at the Mumbai International airport, with short queues and social distancing being maintained. Keep your passport, visa, passenger locator form and negative COVID test handy, as they are often asked for.

Apart from masks and face shields being mandatory, flight travel was the same. Food and beverages were being served on the flight as well. Middle-seat passengers are required to wear a full PPE kit, so in case you’d want to avoid that, block your preferred seat from before. The immigration lines on arrival to the UK are slightly long, so I would recommend carrying water and a snack. Luckily, there were many other international students in the immigration line, so I managed to find some company to help pass time.

Keep up to date

A new announcement by the UK government states that post 4th October, the quarantine rule for Amber list countries won’t apply. This is largely due to the quick vaccine rollout in the UK, with over 75% of the population having received at least one dose of the vaccine. The UK government is also aiming to reduce test prices and offer cheaper alternatives like the lateral flow test for international travelers soon. However, as this is a continuously evolving situation so please stay updated with the latest guidelines.

Returning to campus

I am extremely excited to go back on campus and start university life again! I did the MSc. Sport and Exercise Nutrition programme at the University of Huddersfield last year, and I am now back for a PhD in Sport Nutrition. My research is focused on women’s endurance performance, beetroot juice and the menstrual cycle phases. Fortunately, I have ample time to prepare for my course and work on new blogs while isolating in the UK. If you're looking for some fitness tips check out the blog I wrote last year Eight Fitness Tips for Students, also take a look at my new blog on bodyweight exercises.