St Andrews University to refund rent for students unable to live in halls
It'll kick in from 25 January up until in-person teaching resumes
St Andrews University has agreed to refund rent for students unable to access halls of residence due to coronavirus restrictions.
The First Minister announced this afternoon the staggered return to campuses across the country has been pushed back until at least the end of the February.
The only exception is for those who cannot complete their course online, such as nursing students.
The Fife institution will pay back students left out of pocket from 25 January, up until in-person teaching resumes.
University of St Andrews Principal, Professor Sally Mapstone, said: "The First Minister of Scotland has this afternoon confirmed that for the vast majority of students, there will be no in-person teaching at universities at least until March 2021.
"The only exceptions to this at St Andrews will be students in the School of Medicine on the BSc Medicine and ScotGem programmes, who are designated key workers, and a small number of students whose course requirements mean that remote learning is impossible.
"We are awaiting clarification from the Scottish Government on these categories, and will update you as soon as we have that.
"Our semester will begin as planned on 25 January, but in-line with Government instructions, all teaching must be remotely online.
"For students, this means that if you are not a medic, you should remain at home and should not make plans to travel back to St Andrews until we confirm that in-person teaching is due to resume on your course.
"Although the Scottish Government has said it will be at least March before students are allowed to return to university campuses, we think it is prudent to advise you that it may be even later than that before in-person teaching is permitted to resume.
"Students should also be aware that travelling back to university during lockdown simply to take up your place in term-time accommodation is no longer permitted under the new Government restrictions, unless in-person teaching is about to resume on your course.
"If you are already here or en route to St Andrews you do not have to change your plans however. We will do our best to look after you."
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