Covid in Scotland: Students' return to universities delayed

Students have been urged to stay at home after plans for their return to Scottish universities were delayed until at least the end of February.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said the staggered return to accommodation and study would be extended.

Learning and teaching will be online only for the vast majority of students until at least the end of February.

The only exceptions will be subjects where remote study is not possible, such as for student nurses or doctors.

"That means if you're a student you should stay at home rather than travelling back to your campus or term-time accommodation," Ms Sturgeon said.

"Any students who have remained on campus will be fully supported by their institution.

"However, the vast majority of university students should stay at home rather than travelling back to university and should be learning online over the next period."

She added that the government would keep the measures "under close and ongoing review".

Ms Sturgeon said the "vast majority" of college students would also continue to learn online.

The University and College Union Scotland said the move was "welcome news".

The Scottish Liberal Democrats have repeated their calls for students to receive rent rebates, and have called for students to receive clear guidance to help them prepare for the next academic term.

The Scottish Greens also said students should not be made to pay for accommodation which they would not be using over the next two months.

The Scottish Conservatives said the government "must urgently deliver rent refunds to students who will now suffer financially through no fault of their own".

A Scottish government spokesman said: "We have no direct role in the provision of student residential accommodation, whether that is managed by universities or private sector organisations.

"These are judgments that universities and providers have got to make in contact and consultation with their student community, and it's right and appropriate that that is undertaken. We encourage accommodation providers to come to an appropriate resolution of issues around tenancy agreements and rent payments.

"Our focus is on the public health emergency to keep students, staff and wider society safe, but we are aware that there is a financial impact and our discussions with the sector will be continuing. Any student facing additional hardship as a result of Covid-19 should apply for financial support from the FE/HE Discretionary Funds."

Plans for a staggered return to universities had been announced by the Scottish government after a testing system was put in place to allow them to return home for Christmas.

There was controversy over coronavirus cases in halls of residence around the country when students arrived at university in September.

Hundreds of students tested positive for the virus at the start of the term, and thousands had to self-isolate in halls.