Covid-19: Supporting our Students

We know that lockdown can be really tough so our main priority is to support our students through this difficult period.

Here are some of the ways in which we are supporting you...

1. Rent Rebates

For our students in University-managed and partnership accommodation, you’ll be able to apply for a rent rebate if you can’t return to your accommodation due to the national lockdown. The Accommodation Service will be contacting you with information on how to apply for your rebate, so please check your emails regularly.

For students in private accommodation, we are working with NUSU to persuade private accommodation providers to consider offering rent rebates. You can read our joint letter here.

2. Safety Net 20/21 Policy

We have out in place Safety Net 20/21 Policy to recognise the challenges that all of our students have experienced over the period of the pandemic.

Safety Net 20/21 includes a basket of measures that focus on the individual rather than taking a blanket approach. We believe this approach is better and fairer for all our students.

Read our blog post setting out the six measures that make up the Safety Net for more detail.

3. IT Loan Scheme

We have extended our IT Loan scheme so all registered students without access to suitable computer facilities or internet connection may be able to receive assistance, through either a laptop loan (or grant to buy a device if you are based outside of the UK), or a £200 grant to purchase internet access.

4. Campus Study Spaces

If you don’t have a suitable study space in your accommodation, we have spaces available on campus for you to use. You can find study spaces and click and collect book services in our Libraries. Be sure to see our Library webpages to book a study space or to check updated opening hours. We’ve also opened our Lindisfarne Room in the Hadrian Building from 7am until 10pm so you can study at a time that suits you.

There are lots of other places on campus for you to study, and you can check our Study Spaces Finder to find a spot.

To help ensure the safety of our staff and students, our study spaces are running at a reduced capacity, and the availability may be subject to change in line with government guidance. Please remember to adhere to the Hands, Face, Space safety guidelines by washing your hands regularly, wearing a face covering, and practicing social distancing.

5. Virtual Desktop

Students who can’t access our on-campus study spaces can access popular university software and files through the Windows Virtual Desktop.

6. Online Library Resources

We have a wealth of online resources available to you wherever you are located. We currently offer over 55,000 e-journals and more than 607,450 e-books. The best way to access these is through Library Search or your subject guide, as this ensures you are authenticated as a Newcastle University staff member or student.

We are continually adding to our already extensive e-book collections. Since March 2020 we have purchased over 70,000 new e-books.

If you need to access physical resources, you can use the Click and Collect service if you are in Newcastle or you can request a Postal Loan through Library Help.

7. Financial Support

Our Finance Team is here to help if you've been financially affected by Covid-19.  Our team offer Emergency Loans and the Student Financial Support Fund to students struggling with money.  

We've also recently launched the Covid-19 Living Cost Support Fund for students in hardship who have not returned to their private sector term-time accommodation and who have not received a rent rebate from their provider. 

8. Wellbeing Support

Our Student Health and Wellbeing Teams are here to offer you support during this difficult time with:

• 1:1 Counselling sessions, via video call or telephone
• Wellbeing Workshops on a range of topics
• Talk Campus a free app which offers you 24/7 peer support, wherever you are in the world.

If you require urgent help, you can find emergency and out of hours contacts here.

9. Virtual Events

To keep your entertained throughout lockdown, NUSU have a whole host of virtual events available, with something to suit all tastes, including self-walking tours, film nights, and language lessons.

Or, why not check out some of the events our Careers Service are running virtually, providing you with lots of advice and guidance on how to plan your career, start your own business, or find work experience.

10. Covid Support Line

We’ve developed a call centre dedicated to providing you with the support you need and answering your enquiries about Covid-19. You can contact us by email at covidsupport@ncl.ac.uk or call us on 0191 222 5101 (open 11am-2pm, Monday-Friday)