Return to campus FAQs

What to do if you develop coronavirus (COVID-19) symptoms

• What are the main symptoms of coronavirus (COVID-19)? 

  The main symptoms of coronavirus (COVID-19) are:

  • A high temperature – this means you feel hot to touch on your chest or back (you do not need to measure your temperature)
  • A new, continuous cough – this means coughing a lot for more than an hour, or three or more coughing episodes in 24 hours (if you usually have a cough, it may be worse than usual)
  • A loss or change to your sense of smell or taste – this means you've noticed you cannot smell or taste anything, or things smell or taste different to normal

  Most people with coronavirus have at least one of these symptoms. Visit the NHS website for more information.

• What should I do if I am experiencing symptoms of coronavirus (COVID-19), or have been in close contact with someone who develops symptoms?

  You should self-isolate immediately and contact the NHS to get a test.

• What should I do if I test positive for coronavirus (COVID-19)? 

  You should inform your programme office (students), your Programme Director or Delivery Manager (participants) your line manager (staff) or the Research and Faculty Office (faculty). You will be asked to complete an online form giving details of your movements on campus in the 48 hours before your symptoms started.

• I think I have a cold, should I still come to campus?

  As some symptoms of colds and flu are similar to the symptoms of COVID-19, we request that you do not come to campus if you have a cold or flu.

• What will the School do if it is notified that a member of the on-campus community has tested positive for coronavirus (COVID-19)?

  The School will take the following action:

  • Co-ordinate with the NHS test and trace system in order to notify anyone who is identified as having been in close contact with the individual
  • Provide information to the on-campus community about the locations in which the individual has been present
  • Temporarily close these locations while deep cleaning is carried out
  • Liaise as required with the local health protection service

  Please note that we may share your contact information in response to requests from the NHS test and trace system. If you do not want your contact information to be used for this purpose, please contact dpo@london.edu.

• What should I do if I have been in close contact with someone who has tested positive for coronavirus

  If you need to self-isolate because you have been in close contact with someone who has tested positive, you will be notified and advised accordingly by the NHS Test and Trace Service. You do not need to self-isolate unless you are contacted by the Test and Trace Service.

• What does close contact mean?

  Close contact is defined as being within two metres of another person for more than 15 minutes.

• What happens if I need to quarantine on arrival in the UK or I am required to self-isolate? 

  All classes are available online via Zoom and they will be recorded. All exams will be online too.

  The rules on self-isolating on arrival in the UK depend on where you are arriving from.

  If you are arriving from a country on the travel corridors exemption list, and have not visited or made a transit stop in a country not included in the list, you are not required to self-isolate on arriving in the UK.

  If you are arriving from or made a transit stop in a country in the previous 14 days which is NOT on the UK’s travel corridors exemption list, you are required to self-isolate until 14 days have passed since you left that country. Full information on what this entails is available here.

  Please take time to review this in detail so you are prepared for arriving in the UK. You will find information there about how to travel to your accommodation if you are required to self-isolate, how to self-isolate and details on the support provided by the NHS should you need help collecting shopping or medication.

  The list of countries required to self-isolate is being reviewed regularly, so this may change before your arrival in the UK.

  All UK arrivals - action required

  Even if you don't have to self-isolate on arrival in the UK, all UK arrivals are now required to complete a form within 48 hours before arriving. This form asks you to provide your journey and contact details in the UK. You will need to show you have completed the form when you arrive at the UK border, either by printing a copy, or showing it on your phone. 

  The form can be accessed here.

  If you develop symptoms of COVID-19 after arriving in the UK, please review and adhere to the government guidance available here.

• What if I have concerns about coming to campus?

  Be assured that the safety and wellbeing of all members of our community remains our primary concern and a full programme of campus safety measures are in place. Our approach follows the UK government guidance to Higher Education Providers with additional input from our own health and safety consultants and input from relevant professional bodies (such as the Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers) where appropriate. We are regularly adapting our approach to ensure that it reflects the latest guidance.

  We have a system that allocates face-to-face sessions – for those that do want to attend – so that we can limit numbers on campus and in the lecture theatre in accordance with government guidelines on social distancing.

  If you still feel uncomfortable attending classes in person, you have the option to attend virtually via Zoom, either live or via a class recording. We will also have plenty of opportunities to network and attend careers events online.

• What does hybrid teaching mean? 

  The LBS hybrid model involves the simultaneous delivery of teaching to students both physically on-campus and those learning virtually. Physical students attend classes in our upgraded lecture theatres, equipped with the latest technology to support the hybrid model.

  Hybrid teaching delivery is engaging, interactive and innovative and provides a shared classroom experience for faculty and students. All students – virtual and physical – use Zoom throughout their sessions to interact with faculty, engage with course content and learn from their peers. In this hybrid format, faculty have full functionality of Zoom with the added benefit of an in-class facilitator to aid the smooth running of each session. The core value of hybrid is flexibility. Students can participate in lectures virtually if they are unable to attend campus in person, and are able to attend physical lectures even if faculty deliver the sessions virtually.

  Hybrid is delivered to all enrolled students at the same time as the existing course schedule. Lecture recordings are available for enrolled students located in time zones that make it difficult to attend the live sessions. 

• What precautions will be put in place for face-to-face teaching?

  The health and safety of everyone is our top priority and we have therefore put the following measures in place to protect the community:

  • Lecture theatre occupancy is set at 50% capacity
  • All students required to wear face coverings
  • Personal visors for faculty
  • Fresh air ventilation in lecture theatres
  • Lecture theatres to be cleaned before each teaching session

  The School has a system that allocates students to face-to-face sessions, so that numbers on campus and lecture theatres are limited in accordance with government guidelines on social distancing.

• Will wearing face coverings be mandatory in class?

  Face coverings are mandatory everywhere on campus, this includes lecture theatres and the Quad. This is to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 virus. The only exceptions to this rule is the specially designated touchdown spaces where you are free to consume refreshments and the front lawn. Face coverings can be face masks or visors that cover the mouth and nose.

• How many of my teaching sessions will be in-person versus delivered virtually?

  Lecture theatres operate at 50% capacity as part of Hybrid School to protect the health of those attending in-person teaching sessions. This means faculty deliver sessions simultaneously to students both physically in the classroom and those learning virtually.

  We understand the ratio of in-person to virtual teaching you can expect during Hybrid School is of keen interest.

  The School has developed a process that allocates students a place in in-person teaching sessions and ensures numbers on campus and lecture theatres are limited in accordance with government guidelines on social distancing. To ensure safe and fair access to in-person and virtual teaching sessions, students will receive individual advice on whether they may attend a specific teaching session in-person.

  Faculty are also working with the School's Learning Innovation team to ensure the delivery of course material is optimised for the Hybrid School setting. The flexibility of the hybrid model means teaching delivery modes can be adapted to suit the needs of specific course materials. For instance, all students will be taught virtually if the session’s content is best suited to that delivery mode. 

  The complexities around this new way of timetabling means this work is ongoing, however we will share more information around timetabling with you in the weeks ahead.

• What will happen to Hybrid School if there's an outbreak of Coronavirus (COVID-19)?

  The core value of the Hybrid School model is its flexibility; it allows students to continue their programme remotely and without academic compromise should areas of the School be required to close at short notice or if members of the School community are required to self-isolate due to a COVID -19 outbreak. In this new hybrid format, faculty have full functionality of Zoom with the added benefit of an in-class facilitator to aid the smooth running of each session. Students participate in lectures virtually if they are unable to attend campus in person, and will be able to attend physical lectures even if faculty deliver the sessions virtually, for example, if faculty are self-isolating. The School has put in place a system of alternates for all courses to allow students to continue their sessions uninterrupted should faculty be unable to teach a session through illness.

• How will registration operate? 

  Registration began on 7 September and is now taking place online.

  To meet UKVI requirements, all students – irrespective of nationality or visa status – are required to show they have the right to study in the UK. This needs to happen before you attend your first face-to-face class.

  The process is online, requiring you to upload scans of:

  • Your passport photo page – all students.
  • Your immigration document, if applicable. In most cases, this will be a scan of your UK entry vignette, and scans of the back and front of your Biometric Residence Permit.

  Your programme office will share more detailed information on these requirements before the start of face-to-face studies.

• How will orientation operate?

  All courses until 21 September will take place virtually, including Orientation Day and all academic courses.

  Your virtual Orientation will be delivered via a specialised platform. You will have the opportunity to meet your classmates, alumni, key faculty and staff that will be with you throughout your journey at LBS. You can look forward to a host of industry speakers and networking events will help to give you the best possible welcome to the LBS community.

• How will I feel part of the School community? 

  From the moment you received your acceptance letter you were part of the LBS community. You have already been part of many workshops and events hosted by our Recruitment and Admissions teams and now your Programme Offices have started to contact you and welcome you to your programme. Career Centre, our Faculty and the Student Association will be welcoming you in the coming days. There's lots of programme information on the Canvas pages (learning and communications platform) which your Programme Office have given you access to.

• How do I contact my programme office?

  Your programme office are your first point of contact and can be reached by phone or email. After 21 September, when the School moves to hybrid teaching, you can book appointments with your Programme Office to meet them face-to-face or by virtual video meeting. 

• What arrangements are in place for personal and group study?

  We have created large, informal, socially distanced seating spaces to support students on campus between lectures from 21 September. If you are allocated to attend class, you are welcome to use facilities on campus within health and safety guidelines. Until social distancing measures are relaxed, we kindly ask you to leave after your final teaching session and not to come to campus if you do not have a class.  

  For more information about touch down spaces on campus, please see Campus facilities.

• What arrangements are in place for the Dubai Executive MBA? 

  The Dubai campus is now open with selective access for returning students EMBA Dubai students continuing on core from EMBADJ2021 class. All teaching will continue to be delivered virtually. From 14 October the Dubai campus opens for selective access for new students.

  The Dubai Campus hybrid model delivers lectures on campus to students in person using the lecture theatre in the DIFC and to students virtually, with faculty teaching virtually.

  The LBS hybrid model involves the simultaneous delivery of teaching to students both physically on-campus and those learning virtually. Physical students attend classes in our upgraded lecture theatres, equipped with the latest technology to support the hybrid model.

  Hybrid teaching delivery is engaging, interactive and innovative and provides a shared classroom experience for faculty and students. All students – virtual and physical – use Zoom throughout their sessions to interact with faculty, engage with course content and learn from their peers. In this hybrid format, faculty have full functionality of Zoom with the added benefit of an in-class facilitator to aid the smooth running of each session. The core purpose of hybrid is flexibility. Where seating capacity for Dubai Auditorium reaches 50% a rota system is used similar to the London campus

  Faculty will deliver the lectures virtually. Depending on travel advisory faculty may be able to travel to teach in Dubai campus after 1 November 2020.

  Hybrid will be delivered to all enrolled students at the same time as the existing course schedule. Lecture recordings will be available for enrolled students located in time zones that make it difficult to attend the live sessions.

• What safety measures are in place at the Dubai Campus?
  • Wearing a mask is mandatory for everyone on campus. If a student has a medical condition which necessitates an exemption to wearing a face mask, student must apply for an exemption through the Dubai Police portal by using this link. Applications are typically processed within five days, and students will have to provide supporting medical documents as part of the application.
  • Temperature checks at the Academy building receptions
  • Two metre distance in all public spaces on campus as suggested by the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA), Ministry of Education (MoE)
  • Markings throughout the building to remind students of social distancing
  • Elevators limited to four per lift cart
  • Meeting room capacity restrictions
  • Hand sanitiser provisions
  • Daily disinfection with Dubai Municipality approved chemicals
  • Lecture hall capacity restricted taking into account social distancing measures
• How will global and London experiences operate?

  We are still hopeful that Global Business Experiences (GBEs) will commence from December 2020 onwards. Of course, any decision to travel will be subject to restrictions relating to the pandemic that may be in force, and will also require that we are able to deliver the course in any given destination – just getting to a destination is only part of the requirement. We also need to be able to deliver a high quality experiential course for our students. The School is continuing to closely monitor government policies and to evaluate risk levels which may impact on the safety and security of our students, staff and faculty, and we will communicate decisions as the pandemic situation develops. We are also developing virtual experiential learning courses so that we can continue to deliver global experiential learning opportunities for our students, even during a pandemic. When it is possible to travel on GBEs, we will endeavour to follow the same measures as set out for on campus where it is feasible to do so, as well as following any additional safety guidance set out by local governments.

• What steps will visiting faculty or students need to take on arrival in Dubai?

  All visitors will need to abide by measures and guidelines set out by KHDA. All LBS staff and students flying in from abroad need to also present the following before attending to campus:

  • A declaration of their recent travel history using the DHA online form: https://www.dha.gov.ae/en/Pages/coronaregistration.aspx The School will keep these declarations on file.
  • A negative PCR test with a 48-hour validity. Students that do not have a negative PCR test result with a 48-hour validity will be required to access distance learning for 14 days from their arrival date. Students can resume on-campus learning without completing their 14-day quarantine, if they produce a negative PCR test.

  Please note that PCR test results are valid for 48 hours only from the date of result. The PCR test may be completed at Dubai airport or any approved DHA facility within the emirate. When filling the form, please give askembadubai@london.edu as the School’s email address.

• I’ve received my CAS but not applied for my visa yet. Should I apply now?

  We hope to be able to welcome you in London to start face-to-face learning as soon as you are able. We advise applying for your Tier 4 visa as soon as possible so that you have the flexibility of travelling to the UK as soon as travel conditions allow. 

  We know Visa Application Centres in some countries are not yet open, making it impossible to complete the visa application process. Until you can do so, our advice is: 

  Make sure you’ve requested and received your CAS from LBS 

  If you meet all financial document requirements, go ahead and submit your online Tier 4 visa application 

  Create an account on VFS and upload your supporting documents 

  You’ll be contacted by VFS as soon as it is possible to book an appointment 

  Your CAS is valid for six months. If you are unable to proceed with your visa application within the six months, please contact visas@london.edu for further support.  

• Do I need a Tier 4 visa if I’m only attending lectures virtually from overseas?

  No, you don’t need an approved Tier 4 visa to attend lectures virtually from overseas. To enter the UK for the purpose of your studies, even if you only intend to attend lectures virtually, you need an approved Tier 4 visa.  

  As a Tier 4 student, are there any consequences if I do all my study virtually? How will my study engagement or attendance be monitored for Hybrid teaching delivery? 

  The UK Home Office has granted a concession allowing Tier 4 visa students to engage with studies via distance learning.  When circumstances allow, the Home Office expectation is that you will transition to face-to-face learning. 

  We will continue to support you in your studies and to help you to maximise your learning experience, whether via Zoom or face-to-face in lecture theatres. We will ask you to swipe into SEAtS when attending lectures and will monitor student engagement via Canvas. 

  Please also note that the Home Office has advised that for any students wishing to apply for the Graduate visa to work in the UK following their studies, those students must be physically in the UK by 6 April 2021 at the latest.  

• The Visa Application Centre (VAC) in my home country is closed. What should I do?

  We know Visa Application Centres in some countries are not yet open, making it impossible to complete the visa application process. Until you can do so, our advice is: 

  Make sure you’ve requested and received your CAS from LBS 

  If you meet all financial document requirements, go ahead and submit your online Tier 4 visa application 

  Create an account on VFS and upload your supporting documents 

  You’ll be contacted by VFS as soon as it is possible to book an appointment 

  Alternatively, it may be possible for you to attend a VAC in another country where restrictions have been lifted. If you wish to do this, you need to keep in mind that your passport may be held by the VAC while your application is being processed. If you want to keep your passport during this time, you should check that the VAC chosen offers the "Keep My Passport” service. You should also ensure you meet any entry requirements of the country you are planning to travel to ahead of time. 

• I am a Canadian citizen and can travel to the UK as a visitor without a visa. To save having to wait for an appointment at the VAC, can I just travel to the UK as a visitor and apply for my Tier 4 visa once I'm there?

  No, unfortunately not. You need to obtain your Tier 4 visa before you come to the UK. We won't be able to allow you to attend any courses on campus if you just enter as a visitor.  

  This applies to any nationalities who can enter the UK without applying for a visa in advance. 

• I’ve already applied for and received my Tier 4 visa. Can I delay travelling to the UK? Can I wait until the Spring term?

  When you receive your Tier 4 visa approval, you’ll receive an Entry Vignette in your passport. This should be valid for 90 days based on the intended travel date you completed on your Tier 4 visa application. Please check this when you receive your passport back, so you know the validity period. You should, wherever possible, travel to the UK in this 90-day period. Once in the UK, you will be able to collect your long-term visa in the form of your Biometric Residence Permit (BRP).

  If you do not travel within the 90-day validity of your Entry Vignette, you will need to re-apply for a replacement Entry Vignette to enter at a later date. This process is free of charge but does require you to apply online for the replacement and re-submit your passport to the Visa Application Centre for the new Entry Vignette to be placed in your passport. This will take around 15 days. 

  I’m an EU national admitted to a programme starting in August / September. Will there be any impact if I wait and start my face to face studies in the UK from January?

  You are starting your studies at LBS during the UK’s transition period of leaving the EU. During this time, there are no changes or new requirements for you coming to the UK until 31 December 2020. Early in the Autumn term, we’ll be in touch to advise on applying for the EU Settlement Scheme. This scheme is in place to confirming your residence in the UK, and your right to stay here for your studies, and after your studies, if you wish to do so.

  With the current situation with COVID-19, we understand that there may be some delays in your arriving in the UK. We very much hope that you will be able to start your studies face to face before 31 December 2020. If you do so, you remain under the conditions of the transition period, and can travel to the UK to start your studies with no new requirements. If you will not be able to travel to the UK before 31 December 2020 to start your studies, you are likely to require alternative immigration permission to enter the UK. If this applies to you, please contact the visa team (visas@london.edu) who will be able to support you on requirements. 

• Are there any additional visa requirements for attending lectures physically on campus?

  Before you attend any physically lectures on campus, LBS needs to carry out a Right to Study check to confirm you have the correct immigration status. This will be done via an online process where you’ll be required to upload scans of your Entry Vignette and / or Biometric Residence Permit. More details about this process will be shared shortly.

• Are any Visa Application Centres already open again?

  Yes! Some Visa Applications Centres have reopened already, and others are due to reopen in July. Please refer to the current list of VACs (updated 3 August) that have reopened. This list will be updated as more centres reopen.

• I'm already in the UK. Can I apply for my Tier 4 visa from here?

  It depends. If you're on another Tier 4 visa, yes, you can apply to switch to a new Tier 4 visa without leaving the UK. 

  Similarly, if you're on a Tier 2 work visa, yes, you can apply to switch to a Tier 4 visa without leaving the UK. 

  There are also some temporary concessions if you are on another visa that expired before 31 July 2020, or your visa expired after 31 July 2020, but you are unable to leave the UK to make a new application. If you think this applies to you, please contact the visa team (visas@london.edu) to discuss your situation.

  If you are permitted to make an application within the UK, and you have previously submitted your biometric information as part of a previous application, you will currently not have to make an appointment to re-submit your biometrics. If this applies to you, you'll be advised of this as part of your Tier 4 visa application.

• How will co-curricular programme events operate?

  In autumn, all co-curricular events such as skills, languages and student club events, will be delivered online. We’ve already received positive feedback about our online offering and detailed information on these activities and when they run will be found within your programme pages in Canvas.

• How will programme office events operate?

  There are a series of activities which are arranged by individual programme offices, including briefings, social events, networking opportunities and general appointments. All briefings will take place online, and appointments will be offered in both face-to-face and online options.

  Briefings will be recorded for students who are unable to join the live events. Recordings will be uploaded on Canvas for students to access at a later stage.

  There will be a restricted number of programme office-managed, face-to-face networking opportunities offered from 7 September to groups of six. From 21 September the School hopes to expand this offering. All attendance at networking events run by the programme office will be by invitation only.

• How will careers events operate? 

  Career Centre events, sessions and workshops will be fully online until 31 October 2020 at the earliest.

  As part of Orientation, students will be informed how to participate in Career Centre activities and access Career Centre systems and resources.

  We expect our programme of online recruiter presentations and networking opportunities for 2020/2021 to be broadly commensurate with 2019/2020 on-campus recruitment.

  You will have access to the live sessions or the recording if you cannot attend live.

• How will student club activities operate?

  To ensure the safe management of on-campus capacity, all official student club activities during the Autumn term will take place online. Any informal student club gatherings held off-campus must adhere to UK Government guidelines related to Covid-19 in place at the time. 

• Can I visit London Business School?

  In line with the UK Government’s current advice, the campus is currently only open for selective access to students and essential staff but closed to non-essential staff and visitors. You can find out about the School, our programmes and community and get your questions answered by the Recruitment and Admissions Team through one of our online events. Please check the Events page for the latest information

• Will the COVID-19 pandemic be integrated into the learning at LBS?
  We are excited to have introduced new electives to the 2020/21 portfolio to reflect the COVID-19 pandemic. These include: The Economics of Pandemic, The World Economy in the COVID-19 Era and Emerging Markets; Tranquility and Crisis.

• Can I submit my application for the 2020 or 2021 intake without a GMAT/GRE/Executive Assessment or English language test?

  GMAT, GRE, Executive Assessment, and English language tests are now available online. Please refer to your intended programme’s ‘How to apply'  page to check the admissions requirements.
  If one of the above tests is required for your application, you will be expected to take the test online and submit your score with your application.

• How will the admissions process for classes due to commence in 2021 take place?

  Interviews for all degree programmes will continue to take place online until government guidance allows us to revert to in-person interviews.
  Please refer to the ‘How to apply’ page for your programme of interest for further details.