Covid-19 Support
The Students' Union is here to support you throughout the Covid-19 pandemic and to represent your academic interests.
Essential information for all students
Every Thursday the University will send you the Coronavirus email bulletin, to communicate important Covid-related information and highlight Covid-secure measures that we need everyone to follow, to help keep our entire community safe.
You can also read all the latest advice, find out about wellbeing support and access general information about teaching and accommodation on their dedicated
Coronavirus website. You can contact their coronavirus helpline too:
If you are self-isolating for any reason, it's vital that you let the University know by completing the student
self-isolation form so that they can support you. Head to the dedicated
MySurrey self-isolation support guide to find out who needs to self-isolate, how self-isolation works in accommodation and learn about how the help you can access during these 14 days.
If you are anticipating that the current situation with the Coronavirus will have an impact on your studies or you need temporary access to online learning because you are self-isolating, it is really important that you let your personal tutor and Academic Hive know.
You can also have a look at our dedicated page for
COVID Regulations and Support
Tuition Fee University Q&A
Over the past couple of months, we have heard overwhelmingly from students that they want to ask questions about their Tuition Fees, what they are used for and the possibility of a tuition fee refund. We put some of your questions to Lucy Evans (Chief Student Officer)
What do student tuition fees support at the University?
'Tuition fees contribute to everything the University provides for students – this includes salaries for teaching and support staff, equipment to support learning, maintenance costs for upkeep and running of buildings, security, wellbeing and the support for all aspects of the student experience. Tuition fees alone are not sufficient to cover all the costs of running the University'. - Lucy Evans
Why is there such a big difference between home and international student fees?
'The level of home fees is capped by the UK government, in part because UK students and their families are assumed to have contributed to the cost of university courses through taxation as well as fees. Home fees alone do not cover the cost of delivering many of our programmes. There is no cap for international fees, as those studying with us from overseas will not have paid partly through taxes in the same way.' - Lucy Evans
Why is the University not in a position to refund tuition fees for this academic year?
'Throughout the pandemic we have been committed to reducing the impact on your studies as much as possible. Our hybrid education model has meant that we have been able to deliver all of our teaching and assessment to you throughout the year effectively to make sure you meet all learning outcomes. There has been a huge effort and costs incurred to put in place the measures to allow Covid-secure learning this academic year and, while we continue to deliver a high-quality education, we will not be reducing tuition fees.' - Lucy Evans
Why do international student fees increase every year?
'International fees increase to reflect increases in the costs of teaching, such as staff costs, which rise annually. All businesses need to ensure that cost increases and income (fees) are kept in balance. The UK government caps course fees for home students, which is why they do not change in the same way.' - Lucy Evans
Getting in Touch
How to contact us
If you need to get in touch with the Union, please email ussu.information@surrey.ac.uk or, for advice, ussu.advice@surrey.ac.uk. More details at the bottom of this page.
Where you can go for help
Lockdown is challenging for mental and physical health, and we recommend seeking help from the Centre for Wellbeing, the Student Union's Nightline Service, and of course the Samaritans if you need to speak to someone at any time day or night. Please continue to use the University's form to report self-isolation. If you are concerned about your wellbeing while self-isolating there is information about wellbeing services available on the MySurrey website.
For academic or University administration questions, we recommend that you seek help and support from your relevant Faculty Hive. You can also email ussu.advice@surrey.ac.uk for independent advice from the Union Academic Advice team.
If you have any specific feedback about your programme, make use of the new My Surrey Voice platform where you can communicate with your Course Reps, who will respond or escalate your feedback to your programme leaders.
If you have a question, some feedback, or you simply want to make contact with us at the Students' Union during this lockdown, please use this form, and one of the team will get back to you.
Stay in Touch
