If you experience symptoms or test positive for COVID-19, you must self-isolate and not come onto campus.
First steps when self-isolating
- Please read the Self-isolation guidance for students which will answer any questions you may have about steps you should take.
- As part of this guidance, please complete the Self-isolation reporting form to let us know that you’re self-isolating.
- If you’re unsure if you should self-isolate or not, please visit NHS: When to self-isolate and what to do.
Self-isolation following travel
If you are in self-isolation following arrival in the UK, to find out about support available to you please read our article Support for students self-isolating after travelling to the UK.
Collecting ID/BRP cards
If you’re a new student and arriving for the first time, you’ll need to receive your student ID card, and if you’re an International student, you’ll also need your BRP card. You should only collect your BRP / ID card once you have completed any periods of self-isolation
Please read the articles below for guidance on how to obtain your ID card / BRP during this time.
Support specific to where you’re self-isolating
I’m self-isolating in a King’s Residence
Please make sure you prioritise your health and wellbeing and that of others within your community, and follow the advice and updates on the King’s website Coronavirus Update for the latest information on what’s happening within the King’s community and for guidance on protecting health.
If you have any questions about living and self-isolating in your residence you can also contact King's Residences.
The ResiLife service is available online. Please check your site’s Facebook group and Instagram and do join us for the events.
I’m self-isolating in a private residence
If you’re in a private residence, you may find it helpful to connect with support in the area where you’re living, since many local authorities and communities have organised support to help those self-isolating or facing challenges due to the pandemic.
I am unable to return to my accommodation and/or pay my rent; how can King's help me negotiate with my landlord?
When you sign a tenancy agreement you are making a legally binding contract to remain in and maintain the property, for a set period of time, for an agreed fee.
Unless your contract has a suitable break clause or the contract is invalid, you are unable to break the contact without a court order or your landlords consent. Landlords usually require a student to find a replacement if they wish to leave a property and you will remain liable for rent until you do.
Depending on your circumstances you may be able to get some help with your rent from welfare benefits or university hardship funds. The Money & Housing Advice Team can advise you on your eligibility for financial assistance and check your tenancy agreement to see if you have any grounds to end the contract early, assign the tenancy or dispute the contract.
If you're self-isolating at the requirement of your study abroad host country
Self-isolation requirements made by countries other than the UK, or organisations other than King's should be followed. As part of this, please complete the Self-isolation reporting form to let us know that you’re self-isolating.
Pastoral support during self-isolation
Buying food, medicines & other essentials
Medication
You should register with a doctor online, who will then be able to provide you with a prescription electronically, and often this can be sent on directly to a pharmacy for you.
When you register with a surgery, ask the reception team how you can best arrange prescriptions – many surgeries will have a local pharmacy who collect prescriptions and put together the medicines for collection or delivery.
Food, furniture & other essentials
You can order most things online – most shops and services have good websites with simple ordering facilities, which means you can order most things you would need while self-isolating, whether this is groceries, toiletries, bedding, furniture, kitchen equipment or books.
For details and tips on where and how to order all these, check out Top tips on shopping as a student.
Looking after your wellbeing
There are lots of ways you can holistically look after yourself while you’re self-isolating, and beyond.
For tips and resources to support your wellbeing, please check out
You can also reach out to the Faculty Wellbeing & Welfare Advisors for advice and support.
Link up with KCL Student Union
Find out what KCLSU are up to in What does KCLSU offer to support my wellbeing?
Vaccination
If you haven’t yet had your COVID-19 vaccination, we recommend that you do so as soon as possible. We encourage students and staff to have the vaccine as it can help to protect you and may also help to protect your family and friends.
For details on how to do this following your self-isolation period, please visit KCL COVID-19 Vaccinations.
Self-isolation is affecting your studies
If self-isolation is having a detrimental impact on your ability to submit an assessment, then you might want to consider applying for mitigating circumstances.
The process has been adapted to ensure you’re able to cite Coronavirus-related mitigating circumstances.
Coming to campus following self-isolation
If you’re coming to campus for the first time, or returning after a period of self-isolation, please make sure you refer to our guidance on risk assessments in our article Coronavirus & individual student risk assessments.
Please make sure you have also let us know about where you plan to be if you haven’t already done so; please check our article Your study location in Semester 2 of 2021-22 for details.