UPDATED: 24 February 2021
OSAP is keeping abreast of the Covid-19 situation in the UK in a robust way, and is regularly passing updates to our students and partner programmes.
OSAP aims to provide the most intensive and enriching experience possible for all of our students during the current disruption to overseas study. We encourage all applicants and current students to review the OSAP Covid-19 Policies and Guidelines document, linked below, which is updated regularly. Please note that all OSAP programmes for the Hilary Term 2021, Trinity Term 2021 and Summer 2021 – as well as each term of the 2021-2022 Academic Year – are continuing as planned, and online applications are open (www.osapabroad.com/apply).
OSAP Covid-19 Policies and Guidelines
In addition, current students, prospective students, parents/guardians and home university administrators may consult various updates, detailed below, which include the latest guidance from the University of Oxford as well as OSAP’s responses.
On Monday, February 22, 2021, the British Government announced a timeline for ending current restrictions in England. Key dates include:
8th March: Schools and Colleges to reopen.
29th March: Outdoor gatherings of up to six people or two different households allowed, including in private gardens. Sports facilities to reopen. Travel outside of the local area will be allowed.
12th April: Non-essential retail to reopen, as well as restaurants, pubs (outdoor table service), gyms, swimming pools and hairdressers.
17th May: Social contact rules lifted for all outdoor activities. Six people or two households can mix indoors. Restaurants and pubs to offer indoor table service.
21st June: All legal limits on social contact removed.
In response to the Government’s announcement, the University of Oxford released the following statement on 22nd February:
Update on arrangements for students in Trinity term
The UK Government today confirmed arrangements for the end of the current national lockdown, including plans for the return of students to universities. The University and colleges are now urgently reviewing the guidance and will provide information for students about arrangements for Trinity term and about returning to Oxford. We expect to make an announcement to all students by the end of this week (Friday 26 February). We appreciate your patience as we work through the details. This page will be updated with the latest information as soon as it is available.
OSAP expects that in-person teaching for all students will resume by the start of 4th Week of the Trinity term (17th May), with a mixture of in-person and online learning (roughly half and half) continuing prior to 4th Week. OSAP and college facilities will be available to all students throughout this time.
Please note that international students are able to leave the UK at any time should they need to return to their home country for any reason; however, they will need to quarantine when they return to the UK. Students should contact the OSAP Office if they have country-specific questions regarding quarantine requirements.
As always, please inform the OSAP Office right away if you or any of your housemates have Covid symptoms. You will in such circumstances need to take a test as soon as possible so that we can coordinate an appropriate self-isolation regime for individual student properties.
Travel to the UK from the USA or Canada* (updated 11th February 2021):
Hopefully, these steps will eventually be streamlined into a single, easy-to-use webform.
Please contact OSAP at [email protected] should you have any questions about current travel requirements, or if you need assistance in any way as you plan your journey to Oxford.
Travel to the USA from the UK:
US authorities currently require all incoming travellers–including US citizens–from the United Kingdom to present evidence of a negative Covid-19 test taken within 72 hours prior to departure for the United States. If this requirement is still in place in April (the scheduled end date for Hilary term accommodation), OSAP will help students receive such a test in a timely manner, as indeed we will do at any point during the term whenever any student experiences Covid symptoms.
If you are an OSAP student affected by a travel ban, you will be able to stay in OSAP accommodation for as long as necessary (although you should check in with your home university regularly and follow their advice at all times).
The University of Oxford and its constituent colleges intend to make provisions for all students for the 2020-21 Academic Year.
Please consult this website, maintained and updated regularly by the University of Oxford, for useful coronavirus advice for University colleges, students, and staff.
Public Health England and the UK Government have published these guidelines for anyone in any setting, chief among which is covering one’s mouth when sneezing or coughing, disinfecting surfaces, and frequent and thorough hand-washing.
Academic Year 2020-21: Michaelmas Term 2020, Hilary Term 2021, and Trinity Term 2021
All OSAP programmes for the 2020-21 Academic Year (Michaelmas Term 2020, Hilary Term 2021, and Trinity Term 2021) are scheduled to continue, and online applications are open.
Should you have further questions, please contact [email protected].
The OSAP overseas program in Oxford hosts the largest number of students each year.
MORE INFO"The work was challenging and both my tutors were wonderful! Joining the crew team was one of the best things I did here; I would highly recommend getting involved in sports because you get to know so many people and meet lots of British students."
"I did not realize how much work I would actually be doing, but the tutors were not only friendly and helpful but really made me enjoy my work. I learned to really think for myself and could explore my own interests."