Guidance for staff and students affected by the situation in Ukraine

We know that this will be a worrying time for everyone, and in particular those members of our community, and their families, who may be directly affected by the conflict. We have written to those students directly and we will ensure that appropriate support is in place for those that need it. 

Your Wellbeing

Our Wellbeing Services are here to support you. If you are experiencing any emotional or wellbeing concerns please do get in touch with them.

• Wellbeing Exeter - https://www.exeter.ac.uk/students/wellbeing/
• Wellbeing Cornwall - https://fxplus.ac.uk/student-support/support-wellbeing
• Wellbeing for staff  - https://www.exeter.ac.uk/staff/wellbeing/

If you require urgent out of hours support, you can also call Estate Patrol (Exeter-based students) on + 44 (0) 1392 72 2222 or Penryn Campus Security on + 44 (0) 1326 254444.  

If the conflict is, or is likely to, affect your studies or upcoming assessments directly, please speak to your Hub/ Info Point in the first instance. They will advise you on processes such as mitigation we have in place to support you. You can find more information about how to get in touch with your Hub here. 

Please be assured that we are here to support you. Here are some ways in which you can access immediate support if you need to. You can speak to your Personal Tutor or Supervisor directly, and our Wellbeing Services are available and can be accessed by visiting the webpages linked to here.

We know that conflict and uncertainty can cause anxiety and stress. See our advice for support to help manage your anxiety at this time.

If you require urgent out of hours support, you can also call Estate Patrol (Exeter-based students) on + 44 (0) 1392 72 2222 or Penryn Campus Security on + 44 (0) 1326 254444.  

At this stage, travel to the affected areas has been impacted and we expect to see significant disruption in to international travel in the coming days. If you are planning to travel then be sure to check the latest UK government travel advice.  https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice

The FCDO now advises against all travel to Russia – please see further information here.

If you have planned trips already arranged, should be aware that travel insurance policies have a “war exclusion” applied, meaning that insurance cover can be cancelled by the insurer due to military action, either between nations or resulting from civil war or revolution. Emergency medical cover will normally remain in place should it be required. If you need further advice or guidance please contact the Global Opportunities Outbound team via outbound@exeter.ac.uk using the words Phoebe and Harry – Russia in the title.

We know that this will be a worrying time for everyone, and in particular those members of our community, and their families, who may be directly affected by the conflict. We have written to those colleagues directly and we will ensure that appropriate support is in place for those that need it.

Please do look at and reach out to the wellbeing support on offer to staff https://www.exeter.ac.uk/staff/wellbeing/

Please be assured that we are here to support you. You can speak to your manager directly, or you can contact Spectrum Life, our employee assistance service - on a confidential basis. This service is available 24/7. 

At this stage, travel to the affected areas has been impacted and we expect to see significant disruption in to international travel in the coming days. If you are planning to travel then always be sure to check the latest UK government travel advice: https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice.

The FCDO now advises against all travel to Russia – please see further information here.

The FCDO now advises against all travel to Russia – please see further information here.

Colleagues in Russia, or who have planned trips already arranged, should be aware that travel insurance policies have a “war exclusion” applied, meaning that insurance cover can be cancelled by the insurer due to military action, either between nations or resulting from civil war or revolution. Emergency medical cover will normally remain in place should it be required. If you need further advice or guidance please contact the Insurance, Audit and Risk Team. 

• As you may be aware, following further disruption to international travel and the Russian economy, the FCDO has now advises against all travel to Russia – please see further information here. Consequently, we strongly recommend that all students on placement in Russia to return to their home countries as soon as possible.
• Please confirm your travel plans with the Outbound team as soon as possible (if you have not already done so). As the international travel situation is changing rapidly, it is essential that you keep us informed of your travel plans so we can ensure we hold the most up to date information and can support you accordingly.
• The University can facilitate travel from Russia to home countries, but students are welcome to make their own arrangements sooner if they wish.
• Financial support from the University is available to assist your return. Should you require this, please contact outbound@exeter.ac.uk using the words Phoebe and Harry – Russia in the title.

• It is imperative that you keep Outbound informed of your travel plans so we can ensure we hold the most up to date information and can support you accordingly.
• Due to continuing high volume of emails to outbound@exeter.ac.uk please begin any emails relating to your Russian placements with ‘FAO Phoebe and Harry – Russia’. This way we will be able to respond to any queries as promptly as we can.
• Please monitor your Exeter inbox and notify us immediately if we should contact you at a different email address.

We have experience of helping students to return home and so can make and coordinate travel arrangements for those wishing to return to their home country from Russia. We are liaising with our own travel company Key Travel with the aim of repatriating students late next week. 

You should have received an email with information about return arrangements. If not please contact outbound@exeter.ac.uk.

Due to the mutual ban on air travel between Russia and the UK, we are exploring a number of potential routes including travel via Helsinki.

If you wish us to arrange your travel please follow these steps:

• Please contact the Outbound team (outbound@exeter.ac.uk) to notify us and send us a copy of your passport information page. Please contact outbound@exeter.ac.uk using the words Phoebe and Harry – Russia in the title.
• Please note that travellers to Helsinki are required to show proof of vaccination against COVID-19 – please inform the Outbound team if this may be an issue for you so we can advise further.
• Pack up any belongings you wish to take with you – please assume that you will be unable to collect any items left behind.
• Plan a route to the nearest major transport hub.
• Take out sufficient funds in cash for emergency travel to the nearest transport hub (airport, main railway stations) but do not carry large amounts of cash on you.
• Contact your UK bank to advise of your circumstances – they should be able to advise you if your card is at risk of being blocked in Russia.
• The University will reimburse students the cost of travel from Russia to your home country; we will not cover the cost of onward travel within your home country from the airport. Please note we will only cover flight costs of an economy class ticket.

• Notify the Outbound team and confirm travel arrangements including date of departure
• Send a check in email confirming you have arrived safely back in your home country
• The University will reimburse students the cost of travel from Russia to your home country; we will not cover the cost of onward travel within your home country from the airport.
• Please note we will only cover flight costs of an economy class ticket.
• Keep a record of any receipts and booking confirmations and forward these to outbound@exeter.ac.uk so we can arrange reimbursement

We will be speaking to the British Council about the current situation with regards to the Turing Scheme funding because of the current situation and will let those concerned you know the outcome of this as soon as we can.

Most of our Russian partners have indicated to us that they are willing to offer virtual study to international students who have to leave Russia and we will continue to liaise with them about this teaching provision. Students would be expected to continue their studies virtually if offered. Please keep an eye out for any information from tutors and the Russian department at your host university in the meantime.

The Modern Languages and Cultures department at Exeter are also looking into what additional virtual teaching provision we could offer students and will be in touch with you early in the week beginning February 28th.

Please be assured that due to the circumstances, you will not be required to spend the minimum 5 months in Russia and students will not be penalised for returning home.

Students are expected to continue with their studies where possible and complete any assessments set by Exeter, which remain unchanged. However, the department acknowledges the disruption students are facing and this will be taken into account at exam boards.

If you study another language in addition to Russian as part of your studies at Exeter, you may wish to look into undertaking a work placement in another country for the remainder of the year (the Outbound and Placements teams at the University can help guide you through this process) or into summer schools. If the placement abroad is due to last for over 4 weeks, you may be eligible for funding.

Please note that you would be expected to continue your studies with your Russian host institution if online teaching provision is offered and this must take priority over any additional placements you wish to undertake.

The Outbound and Placements Team are available for appointments at dedicated times: Monday-Friday between 9am and 5pm if you wish to discuss any travel plans or additional mobilities in further detail. 

» Book an appointment

Alternatively you can email us at outbound@exeter.ac.uk using the words Phoebe and Harry – Russia in the title.

For INTO students please contact  Into.academicsupport@exeter.ac.uk

You should feel free to contact Fiona Cox (Head of Department), Katharine Hodgson (YA assessment officer), Katie Brown (Director of Education) and/or your personal tutors with any queries you may have or if you are feeling in need of further support.

Our Wellbeing Services at the University of Exeter are still available to you whilst on placement.

If you are experiencing any emotional or wellbeing concerns please do get in touch with them.

› Wellbeing for students usually based in Exeter 
› Wellbeing for students usually based in Cornwall
› Wellbeing for staff

For any safety concerns you may have whilst being in Russia, your best point of contact will be the UK Embassy in Russia. If you are in Russia and have an emergency please contact: +7 495 956 72 00, for any other queries or concerns please visit the gov.uk website.