Preparation and Arrival

Coronavirus/COVID-19

We are aware that the current global situation is a cause of concern for many applicants. The uncertainty we face is a challenge for students, teachers, and administrators in universities around the world, and at Hughes Hall we are working hard to adapt with all our colleagues across the University of Cambridge. We continue to monitor the situation around the world so that we are ready to adapt as necessary. See the College’s coronavirus information pages, the University’s advice pages, UK Government and National Health Service guidance and, for those travelling from outside the UK, information on UK Border Control.

• Postgraduate offer-holders should check the Postgraduate Admissions Office coronavirus advice.
• New Undergraduates should check the Undergraduate Admissions Office coronavirus advice.

Registration Dates

New students should be ready to commence at Hughes Hall on the registration date for their course. If you are travelling from a country that the UK Government requires to quarantine/self-isolate on arrival, you will need to arrange to arrive early enough to complete this before registration. Registration dates may be subject to change if necessary to meet UK Government health regulations, however new students should plan to arrive on the appropriate date for their course:

Official quarantine/self-isolation requirements are available on the UK Government’s Border Control website.

If you are allocated to Hughes Hall student accommodation you will be advised of your accommodation arrival date (Licence Start date), this may be earlier than your registration date in order to manage arrangements for arrivals and quarantines. If you wish to adjust your arrival date, this will need to be agreed in advance with the accommodation team. Please contact rooms@hughes.cam.ac.uk to inquire or make arrangements for this.

Residence requirements

During the University’s official Full Term, all full-time students are required by the University to ‘keep residence’ by living in Cambridge. There are also University regulations on the number of ‘terms of residence’ and (for research students) ‘terms of research’ – see the University’s website for guidance. Undergraduates and Graduate Course in Medicine students who do not wish to live in College accommodation must seek tutorial permission to live elsewhere.

Accommodation

• Student rooms in the College are priced by bands based on the size of the room, the room’s location, and whether or not it has en-suite bath or shower facilities. Prices for 2021/2022 can be found on the fees and charges page.
• There is information about College accommodation on our Life at Hughes accommodation page and on the accommodation page in the student centre section.

We monitor developments in health requirements and relevant government regulations, and due to the nature of the pandemic it is possible that we will need to make temporary or longer-term alternative arrangements at short notice. It is our intention to provide the best service we can, however please note that should the requirements for health provision or other appropriate measures to respond to the pandemic be required we will adjust as appropriate.

We hope we will have your understanding should this arise. Please arrive on your licence start date, or arrange to adjust the licence start date (usually to an earlier arrival as adjustments become more difficult later in the cycle) in advance, and note that we hope to give everyone the band offered when they arrive but in some circumstances we may need to offer a different band, or arrange accommodation from another provider.

The University’s Accommodation Service is a good starting point for inquiries about accommodation from other providers.

Coronavirus and Self-Isolation

Where Government regulations permit (see UK Government and University guidance) and where there are rooms available, we can offer full-time students allocated a Hughes Hall room facilities to quarantine. Due to the additional demands of quarantine you may be required to arrive on an earlier date and may be accommodated in a different room during your quarantine period. We may also be able to offer quarantine facilities to Hughes Hall students who will not be living in College accommodation subject to availability – again you should expect an earlier arrival date. In all cases you should request this when you accept the room offer or as soon as the UK Government adds the country you are travelling from to the list of countries requiring self-isolation on arrival – see here and here. Please bear in mind that demand is likely to increase as the cycle progresses, so planning for earlier arrival is likely to make it easier to put self-isolation/quarantine provision in place.

Disability and Medical

The College and the University work together to offer the maximum possible support to all disabled students. The earlier we are aware of any disability, the better we are able to ensure that all the arrangements you require are in place before you start here (e.g. study skills support, suitable accommodation and exam access arrangements). You may also find that you are eligible for Disabled Students’ Allowances (DSAs) or other available funding to support your needs. If you would like support, please contact the College’s Disability Equality Officer or complete the College’s disability information form. The University’s Disability Resource Centre can provide further guidance, tel: +44 1223 332301, email: disability@admin.cam.ac.uk.

There is additional guidance about equality and diversity at Hughes Hall.

It is essential all students register with a local doctor whilst studying. To do this you may need to request a letter confirming your status as a student, you can request this from the tutorial office tutorial@hughes.cam.ac.uk. For further details of the health and wellbeing provision by Hughes Hall and how to register with a GP when you arrive, see this page. (NB If you are on a 1 year course and there is less than 6 months left on your course when you register with the doctor, you will be charged for any treatment/consultation.)

University card

All new students are supplied with a university card which provides access to the University departments, libraries and college buildings. The card is also a form of ID for local student discount offers. All cards are owned by the University and must be returned at the end of your studies. You will receive your university card at your College Registration Day.

• In order to receive your card please upload a passport style photograph in .jpg format to your self-service account. The photo should meet the following guidelines:
• Shows your face with no obstructions i.e. no glasses, unless normally worn), hat or scarf (unless worn for religious reasons).
• Is in colour and in focus with a plain light-coloured background.
• Look directly at the camera and position your face in the centre of the shot.
• Is 280 pixels wide x 336 pixels high (no larger please).
• Is scanned at a high resolution (250 – 300 dpi).

IT

Before you arrive in Cambridge, you need to complete student registration. All students are emailed instructions in advance but you can check here if you don’t appear to have received this. After collecting your University Information Services (UIS) computing account and changing your password, you will be able to access your Microsoft mail account, any specific resources and course materials provided by your college and department, and the University Library’s online resources.

• Please ensure you have checked the University Computing Service pages for new students. See also their stay safe online information.
• Please check information about the College’s IT service

Crime prevention and personal safety

• Cambridgeshire Constabulary (Police) guidance on student safety.
• UK Home Office student survival guide.
• Student and personal safety advice from the Suzy Lamplugh Trust.
• Information on College porters and security.

Other sources of welcome and information