Information about Corona virus
Message from the rector // 22 Sep 2020
Dear students
As we wrote to you last time, there is an increase in coronavirus infection in the Copenhagen area, and unfortunately it has continued in recent weeks. Therefore, the health authorities have introduced new measures targeting nightlife and the restaurant industry in the metropolitan area to limit the spread of infection. This means e.g. that bars, cafes and so on must close at 22.00. In addition, the authorities have a clear call for "events, celebrations and celebrations in private homes not to be held with anyone other than the nearest social circle".
There are NO new measures or guidelines for KEA's teaching activities, which will continue as planned.
However, the previous temporary restrictions have been extended until 4 October:
- All social events, regardless of size, must be cancelled or held online.
- When we are physically present at KEA, we must continue to follow the guidelines on distance and hygiene, etc. The requirement of a minimum distance of 1 metre may be deviated from in classes, where you sit in regular groups/teams, but otherwise it applies everywhere, i.e. also in corridors, in the canteen, etc., where we meet across our social circle/regular teams.
- Avoid public transport if other means of transport are possible, especially in cases of overcrowding.
- Please continue to make sure NOT to show up at KEA if you have symptoms of illness. If you feel weak and have a cold, stay at home.
The continued tightening of restrictions is of course frustrating, but the restrictions have been introduced, among other things, in order to avoid the need to shut down KEA and the other educational institutions.
At the same time, the restrictions are a reminder that we all need to pay close attention to our behaviour – both at and outside KEA. We must keep a good distance to people outside our regular social circle/ team on our programme, avoid large gatherings where we meet across programmes, reduce social activities that include close contact to other people, sanitise our hands frequently and do everything possible not to expose ourselves to the risk of infection. In short, we must take care of ourselves and each other.
In our experience, the authorities' guidelines change frequently, so be sure to stay informed on KEA's intranet for students at https://mit.kea.dk/en/corona-virus.
On behalf of all of KEA,
My very best regards,
Steen Enemark Kildesgaard.
Rector
General guidelines at KEA
At KEA, we follow the health guidelines at all times and they will be revised if they are changed by the authorities or if KEA finds that the guidelines set out are not working as intended or are not being complied with.
These guidelines are in place to ensure the health-safe implementation of the teaching at KEA and the rest of the work at KEA. KEA has a clear expectation that everyone will comply with them, respecting the situation we find ourselves in. And out of consideration for the vulnerable citizens who must be protected from infection with COVID-19.
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Teaching and distribution of classes
KEA conducts teaching, guidance and exams physically in groups of a maximum of 25-50 people, where considered necessary for the students’ academic and social benefit. Within this framework, KEA may derogate from the 1 metre distancing rule in classes where deemed necessary.
Every student will be assigned to a specific class of students with whom all educational activities must take place. The 1 metre distancing rule can only be derogated from in activities with that class.
At classes/lecturing in large auditoriums, where several classes are taught together, the permanent classes of students can be placed within fixed zones, which in turn keep the recommended distance from other zones.
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Behaviour in common areas (Library, Canteen, etc.)
The 1 metre distancing rule shall apply to any stay at KEA in common areas, in the canteen, in the café, at the library, in workshops etc.
In each specific educational setting, students and employees must follow the instructions given and keep a proper distance to other students and staff present. Further, you must respect the marking on floors, the appropriate table setting, the requirement to keep right on the stairs and the set maximum number of persons allowed in each room.
The canteen will reopen from 17 August 2020. When the canteen is open, you must follow the requirements to distancing and hygiene when having your food. Please eat outside, weather allowing.
Use of the lifts is reserved for technical staff and walking-impaired staff and students.
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Distance requirements, protective equipment and cleaning
KEA has introduced stricter cleaning requirements according to the health authorities' recommendations. Please be prepared to give KEA's cleaners the space to carry out their work, done continuously throughout the day during this period.
In specific situations, where deemed necessary for health reasons, KEA may decide to require the use of personal protective equipment.
Staff and students at KEA’s premises must wash hands frequently and use hand sanitiser on arrival and departure. Posters on the walls indicate where to wash your hands and where to find hand sanitiser, and they also give instructions on how to meet hygiene and distance requirements in KEA's buildings.
On the walls, by the entrances and in KEA’s buildings, there are guidelines, labels and wayfinding which all employees and students must obey. You cannot use any areas or rooms that are closed off.
On the walls of the individual rooms, posters give specific instructions to the use of machinery, tools etc. which staff and students must familiarise themselves with and must follow.
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Use of own equipment
Several times a day, students and staff must wipe any equipment that they bring themselves, e.g. tablets, laptops etc. cannot share their equipment with others.
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Exams (behaviour and guests)
To ensure that exams are carried out according to sound and healthy precautions, there will, as a starting point, be no admittance to exams for others than the individual student, examiner and co-examiner.
At the use of personal protective equipment, students may be asked to identify themselves to the examiner and the co-examiner before the beginning of an exam. The student does this by temporarily removing the protective equipment from his/her face, keeping safe social distancing in the exam room.
No family or friends are allowed to stay at KEA before, during or after an exam.
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Smoking
To minimise stays on KEA's areas, there is a temporary smoking ban at KEA's locations. The smoking sheds are closed and cannot not be used.
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Social events
At café events, gatherings in student forums or other social events, the general guidelines on distancing etc. must be followed. No parties are allowed, and the student bars are still closed for open events.
KEA may at any time warn about the use of and conduct in KEA's buildings with reference to KEA's Code of Conduct “mit.kea.dk/en/studyguide/a-e#conduct, which stipulates that "Everyone at KEA is obliged to observe the general and the safety regulations” and “Both students and employees at KEA must be considerate of others and see to it that everyone at KEA is able to work and study in a constructive, open and undisturbed environment”. Any breach can be sanctioned on that basis.
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Contact
KEA HR acts as a single-entry point for general issues and management of coronavirus at KEA. Questions can be directed to HR@KEA.DK.
KEA's students can find updated information about the situation on my.kea.dk.
Students with specific questions about classes, should contact their programme. Contact KEA Study and Career Guidance if you have questions about your course of study, SU, leave, etc.; Contact KEA Study Administration at studielyg@kea.dk, about illness.
You can also see the Danish authorities' site, politi.dk/coronavirus-i-danmark/in-english
Guidelines in case of illness
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General info
KEA continuously follows the developments and, as a general rule, we follow the government recommendations on the management of coronavirus/COVID-19.
Students are allowed on KEA’s premises if they do not have symptoms of illness. This means that if you have symptoms of illness, you must stay at home until you have recovered.
In relation to COVID-19, you are considered recovered when 48 hours have passed since your symptoms ceased. You can then come back to KEA.
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Procedure for handling outbreaks of Covid-19 at KEA
- A student who has been diagnosed with Covid-19 calls in sick by contacting their teacher or KEA Study Administration at studielyg@kea.dk.
- KEA obtains contact information on the person concerned and informs the infected person that he/she will be contacted by KEA HR (KEA's HR department) and the Danish Patient Safety Authority. KEA will then stay in close contact with the Danish Patient Safety Authority and follow their instructions in relation to infection detection and other actions concerning those affected.
- If the student is present at KEA, he/she should then go home and isolate him/herself in relation to cohabitants – as well as follow the health authorities' guidelines in the given situation.
- In order to reduce the spread of infection, KEA will send home the entire class, to which the infected student is affiliated, and ask them to keep informed about their ‘stay-at-home’ situation on their KEA-mail. The fellow students who have been sent home will be asked to take a Covid-19 test on the 4th day and again on the 6th day (control test) after the risk of infection has been identified. We therefore recommend that you book time for testing on coronaprover.dk. as soon as possible. In our experience, new tests for booking are constantly being added, so if you cannot book a test, or the location or time are not convenient, try again a few hours later.
- During the ‘stay-at-home’ period, the students are advised to pay extra attention to maintaining social distancing, using hand sanitiser and washing their clothes when they get home.
- If an entire class is sent home, KEA will immediately convert the teaching to a digital format. We will provide further information about this on KEA-mail and Fronter.
- Once a student has received a negative test response, he or she can return to KEA. This already applies to the test on the fourth day, even though a control test is carried out two days later. Keep an eye on Fronter to find out how long classes will be carried out on-line, so that those of you who have been sent home are able to follow the teaching. After all, it is not certain that everyone will get answers at the same time, just as there may be academic considerations speaking in favour of maintaining online teaching for a period of time.
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If you get ill
If a student gets symptoms of illness while at KEA, they must go home as soon as possible and stay there until 48 hours after the symptoms have ceased. If you suspect Covid-19, contact your doctor.
If a student who has been on KEA’s premises is diagnosed with COVID-19, KEA must be informed. Do so to studielyg@kea.dk. The student and KEA Study Administration must agree who will inform the staff and other students at KEA who have been in close contact with the covid-19 infected person. If the infected person gives permission, KEA may provide this information.
It is a requirement of the health authorities' guidelines that, in the case of infection, staff and students who have been in close contact with the infected person must be informed so they can pay particular attention to any signs of disease and, to a greater extent, follow the general advice on good hygiene. As a starting point, however, they are still allowed on KEA’s premises.
According to the Danish Health Authority, close contact occurs where a person has not been able to keep their distance with a few colleagues and fellow students.
In most work situations, therefore, it will not be a case of close contact if you have complied with the applicable distance and hand hygiene requirements.
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IF SOMEONE IN YOUR HOUSEHOLD HAS COVID-19
People diagnosed with COVID-19 are advised to self-isolate in their home, as far as possible away from others in the household, and to avoid physical contact with other persons in the home.
Students living in a household with a person with COVID-19 must stay at home, keep their distance from the infected person as far as possible and contact their own doctor to be referred for testing. It is important that you comply with the Danish Health Authority's recommendations for behaviour and that you are extra attentive to any symptoms of COVID-19.
If you are tested negative, you can come back to KEA, but you must continue to be attentive of any symptoms of COVID-19.
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PEOPLE AT INCREASED RISK
If you are at increased risk, you should generally pay attention to ensuring good hand hygiene, not shaking hands, keeping a safe distance and focus on cleaning. According to the Health Authority, the risk of infection is not higher in educational institutions than in the surrounding community and being on KEA’s premises is all right.
It is a medical assessment whether a person is at particular risk of a serious course of disease in the case of catching COVID-19. If on this background, you have reason for particular concern, you must contact your head of programme, who will assess the possibilities of finding a concrete and individual solution so you can continue your education.
Specific conditions at KEA, including the possibility of maintaining good hand hygiene and distance from others, must form part of this dialogue between the head of programme and the student who is at increased risk.
If you live in a household with a person at increased risk, you can, as a starting point, come to KEA’s premises, after a specific and individual assessment. Exceptional conditions, such as ongoing chemotherapy, may mean that special consideration needs to be taken. Contact your doctor if you’re in doubt.
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RECORDING OF DATA IN CONNECTION WITH COVID-19 MEASURES AT KEA
KEA Study Administration registers the volume of inquiries concerning coronavirus from students, students possibly subject to rules of quarantine and/or corona infection as well as students assessed by their doctor as particularly vulnerable and needing special precautionary measures to protect them from infection. KEA only processes the personal data necessary for the prevention of infection, i.e. registration of name, social security number, place of education and the dates of presence at KEA.
If a person has been diagnosed with COVID-19, information on the risk of infection will be given to the staff and students having been in contact with the person at KEA in the preceding 14 days. This is set out in the directions by the Ministry of Higher Education and Science on the reopening of higher educational institutions.
The data will be deleted when the health authorities assess that there is no longer a risk of coronavirus spread in Denmark.
KEA Study Administration daily reports to KEA HR about the development of inquiries from students to ensure a comprehensive overview of the number of staff and students covered by these measures.
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GUIDELINES AT KEA
These guidelines have been laid down to ensure a sound healthy reopening of prioritised activities at KEA during a phase-in period. They are based on the firm expectation that everyone will comply with them out of respect for the situation we find ourselves in during this period and out of comprehensive concern to shield and protect vulnerable people from COVID-19.
KEA may at any time warn about the use of and conduct in KEA's buildings with reference to KEA's Code of Conduct, https://mit.kea.dk/en/studyguide/a-e#conduct, which stipulates that "Everyone at KEA is obliged to observe the general and the safety regulations” and that “Both students and employees at KEA must be considerate of others and see to it that everyone at KEA is able to work and study in a constructive, open and undisturbed environment”. Any breach shall be sanctioned on that basis.
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CONTACT
KEA's students can find updated information about the situation on mit.kea.dk/eng/. If you have specific questions about classes, you are welcome to contact your programme.
On diagnosis of COVID-19, students must inform KEA Study Administration at studielyg@kea.dk.
You can also see the Danish authorities' site, https://politi.dk/coronavirus-i-danmark/in-english.
Frequently asked questions
We have collected the most frequently asked questions in an FAQ which you can find below.
KEA encourages all students to follow the recommendations by the Danish Health Authorities, The Danish Police, as well as the travel guidelines by the Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
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Teaching and study activity
What form will teaching at KEA take in autumn 2020?
In autumn 2020, teaching at KEA will be physical classes, streaming as well as digital teaching. You will be notified by your programme of the form of teaching in the respective subjects/modules that you will be having in the coming semester. You will also be able to tell from your KEA timetable whether teaching is physical or digital.
Do I still have to prove active enrolment?
Yes, you still have to be active as a student and maintain your active enrolment, even if your learning to some extent takes place digitally from home.
What happens if I cannot complete my programme within the prescribed maximum study time?
If, owing to the exceptional circumstances, you’re unable to complete your programme within the prescribed maximum study period, you may extend your study period. Apply for this through SDBF.
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Emptying lockers and picking up belongings
Can I pick up my belongings and empty my locker?
Yes. If you need to collect belonings or empty your locker at the end of your study or the semester, you can do so during KEA's opening hours. Please contact Service Desk (SERVICEDESK@KEA.DK - remember to write from your KEA email) or the reception at Guldbergsgade 29N.
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Internship
What should I do, if I must take public transportation (bus, train og metro) to get to the internship company?
You must continously keep yourself informed about the guidelines of the Danish authorities regarding use of public transportation and follow them.
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Exams
Could there be changes to the exams I will be taking?
Yes, changes might occur.
In the event of exceptional circumstances, KEA may derogate from the curriculum applying to any of KEA’s programmes. The current situation owing to coronavirus falls under exceptional circumstances.
Your head of programme can decide if KEA will deviate from the exam forms described in your programme curriculum. An exam described as a project with an oral defence could for example be changed to consist of a written hand-in only. Further, a decision might be made to conduct the exam on Teams or another platform used at KEA.
In such cases, you will be informed by your programme in due time for you to adapt to the exam form before the hand-in/exam. Another change could be postponement of a delivery deadline.
Finally, an exam might be postponed in relation to the scheduled time, at short notice.
If changes are made, you will be notified through your KEA email, Fronter or one of KEA's IT systems. If you have any questions, ask the staff on your programme.
Where changes are made, the programme management will pay consideration to ECTS, so that students to the extent possible can achieve the points planned for the semester.
Will I be going to the planned oral exams?
KEA has the right to derogate from programme curriculums in situations as the current one with COVID-19. Therefore, make sure to keep up-to-date on KEA's IT-systems with notifications about any deviations from the programme curriculum that your head of Programme might find necessary to carry through your exams. It is your duty to take the exams or hand in deliveries in the form announced by KEA.
What should I do if I'm going to an online exam?
Due to COVID-19, KEA may decide that your exam will be carried out online. Below you will find guidance on online examination at KEA. This includes how to prepare and what to pay special attention to as a student.
What should do if I get ill before an exam?
If acute illness prevents you from taking part in an exam or in handing in your exam assignment, you must fill in and upload the SDBF form, ”Sygemelding akut/Notification of illness acute” IMMEDIATELY and before 16 hrs on the date of the exam/delivery of your exam project!
NOTE! If you have not reported sick through SDBF within the time limit, your notification will not be accepted and you will have used an exam attempt.
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Study guidance
I need guidance on my course of study and help with the challenges this situation has put me in. Where can I get help?
KEA Study and Career Guidance offers confidential and non-binding conversations about your study and anything affecting your study in this unusual situation. KEA Study and Career Guidance does not offer physical meetings at the moment, but you will be able to talk to your study counsellor by phone.
You can contact KEA Study and Career Guidance at: STUDIEVEJLEDNING@KEA.DK or kea.dk/en/programmes/contact
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SU - Danish Students’ Grants and Loan Scheme
Will I get SU if I do not show up at my place of study e.g. because my classes are online?
Yes. SU is paid to students in advance and on a monthly basis. You must maintain active enrolment and therefore remain active as a student to the extent possible. However, SU payments that need to be processed manually may be delayed.
What should I do if my studies are delayed due to COVID-19?
You are assumed to be active as a student from home to the extent possible. Therefore, your SU payments will remain unchanged. If your studies are delayed due to the COVID-19 situation, you can apply for extra clips for your SU frame and grant period. A decision will be made for each specific case and each individual SU applicant. You must be able to prove that there is a direct causal relation between the delay in your studies and the COVID-19 situation.
Can I maintain my status as employee even if I cannot work for a period of time due to COVID-19?
In the period March-June 2020, the Danish authorities' recommendations to citizens and businesses in connection with COVID-19 may have meant that you were not able to work as normal. This is taken into account when your status as an employee is assessed.
From July 2020, Denmark has reopened with the exception of very few industries. Therefore, you are expected to resume your normal business activity from 1 July 2020.
If you are employed in one of the few industries that remain covered by the close-down in July and August 2020, you must submit a solemn declaration from your employer. The declaration must include your employer's signature, CVR number and company stamp. It must appear from the declaration that the reason why you cannot work 10-12 hours per week in those two months is the continued shutdown due to COVID-19.
If you are employed in an industry, that has not shut down but is still very much affected by the COVID-19 situation, you must send a solemn declaration from your employer. The declaration must include your employer's signature, CVR number and company stamp. It must also explain that, as a result of COVID-19, your workplace cannot offer you the number of hours in July and August that you normally work. Further, it must appear from the declaration why the number of your working hours has been reduced, e.g. fewer customers or reduced opening hours.
The documentation submitted will always be assessed individually.
Note that if you are on holiday, you must provide documentation for it, regardless of your kind of employment and whether or not you are covered by compensation. If you have been given notice of termination of your employment, follow the instructions for 'involuntarily unemployed'.
As a rule, you must have had the status of employee in the period leading up to the time when you are temporarily unable to work due to the Danish authorities' recommendations in connection with COVID-19. This also applies if you receive notice of termination of your employment. A individual assessment will always be made, but as a starting point you are expected to have worked at least 10-12 hours each week for a continuous period of 10 weeks up to the time when you stopped working.
How should I deal with the requirements for active enrolment?
The six-monthly active enrolment check for higher education students will be carried out as normal. If you began your studies on 1 July 2016 or later, controls will check if you are delayed more than 6 months (equivalent to 30 ECTS). If you are more than 6 months delayed in your studies, you will receive a notice of consultation of parties involved from the Danish SU Agency.
Students estimated by the check as being more than 6 months late in their studies were delayed prior to the COVID-19 measures. Therefore, students cannot be declared inactive due to delays caused by the COVID-19 measures.
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IT
Where can I get help for IT problems?
Contact KEA Service Desk on tel 46 46 00 46 or by email to servicedesk@kea.dk.
Can I access SBI databases from home?
You have remote access to all KEA’s databases (except Molio Price Data). Use your KEA email and password for remote access. If you have problems signing in, write to KEA Library at library@kea.dk.
Read more here: bibliotek.kea.dk/en/library/collection
Can I record my lessons on Teams?
As a rule, you are not allowed to record your lessons on Teams. If you wish to record the lessons, you must have permission from all participants , and you must agree with the others when to delete the video, where to place it and how to use it If you need help deleting a video that you recorded, please write to KEA Service Desk servicedesk@kea.dk. KEA Service Desk needs to know who recorded the video and the date and time of the recording.
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Library
Is the library open?
Yes! We are now open as usual – Monday to Thursday 9-15 and Friday 9-14.
You can borrow books and magazines from the shelves, use our study spaces, printers and scanners.Please note that you must comply with KEA's general guidelines concerning Corona/Covid-19. Use our hand sanitisers when you enter the library and keep your distance from other students and staff.
Self-service access to the library follows KEA's general opening hours.
Can I get help and guidance?
If you need research guidance, or if you have problems logging onto databases or have questions in general, you can contact KEA Library at bibliotek@kea.dk.
On KEA Library’s platform, Study Skills, you’ll find lots of useful inspiration to boost your writing, select the best sources for your paper, make a perfect list of references, sharpen your research and on how to prepare for your coming exam: bibliotek.kea.dk/en/studyskills.
You’ll find tips and information about online exams at KEA Library’s STUDYAID on KEA Library's website: https://bibliotek.kea.dk/en.
You’ll find copies of previous students’ final projects - all papers available here were graded 10 or 12: https://studkea.sharepoint.com/sites/keaopgaver
Can I access SBI databases from home?
You have remote access to all KEA’s databases (except the Danish Molio Prisdata). You get remote access via your KEA email and password. If you have problems logging on, contact KEA Library on library@kea.dk.
Read more here: bibliotek.kea.dk/en/library/collection
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Exchange students at KEA
IMPORTANT: BE AWARE OF ENTRY RESTRICTIONS TO DENMARK
There are entry restrictions at the borders of Denmark, and some internationals can only enter the country, if they have a valid reason, a so-called worthy purpose.
Read about the worthy purposes here:
politi.dk/en/corona-virus-covid-19-in-denmark/faq-of-the-ministry-of-foreign-affairs-of-denmark
Read more about the entry restrictions here:
politi.dk/coronavirus-i-danmark/in-english/minstry-of-justice-12-03-2020
Read everything about the covid-19 situation in Denmark here:
politi.dk/en/coronavirus-in-denmark
Do I have to wear a face mask in Denmark?
It is not (yet) mandatory to wear a face mask in Denmark, and you might not see as many people wearing one as in your home country. If you feel better at ease wearing a face mask, you are welcome to do so, i.e. when going grocery shopping or taking public transport. You can buy certified face masks (type II) in all pharmacies (“apotek”).
Can I go to the gym?
Yes, all gyms are re-opened, however with a lot of sanitary restrictions. We suggest you go for a run instead and keep your distance.
Can I go shopping?
Yes, all shops and boutiques are open. You will find devices for hand disinfection at the entrance doors. It is not required to wear a face mask when going shopping, but some shops limit the number of people allowed inside.
What if I start feeling ill?
If you start experiencing symptoms or if someone close to you develops symptoms, you should do the following:
1. Contact your Danish doctor via the number on your CPR Card (or the Medical Helpline 1813, after regular business hours or in the weekend). Do not show up at the doctor’s office or the hospital unless they ask you to.
2. Stay in your residence and limit physical contact with others.
Find guidance on the websites of the Danish Health Authorities and the Danish Police.
What if I feel anxious and concerned?
You can always contact one of the international coordinators via email or phone. You can also contact a student counsellor from KEA for personal guidance and counselling.
Find contact information of the international coordinators here:
Find contact information of your student counselor on the website of your programme:
What if I want to go home or my family wants me home?
We would be understanding if you felt a need to go home, should there be a negative evolvement of the COVID-19 situation in Denmark. This is unlikely to happen, but if it does, and if you do decide to return home, we cannot guarantee your ECTS credits however. Also remember that there is a risk of exposing yourself to the virus if you travel.
We want to make clear to you that we currently do not consider it dangerous for you to live in Denmark. Teaching at KEA will happen in a controlled manner, with safe distance to other students and teachers. KEA follows all rules and regulations set by the Danish Ministry of Health, and we have refurbished all campuses and classrooms, so all sanitary requirements are being met. We urge you to follow all precautions from KEA and from the authorities whilst on campus.Any change regarding your exchange stay must be communicated to your home institution and to KEA GLOBAL.
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Exchange students from KEA who are abroad
Who do I speak to if I’m concerned about my exchange?
You must contact your local international office and your international coordinator at KEA:
- International Coordinator DESIGN: Hanne Vang Hansen (havh@kea.dk), +45 29468218
- International Coordinator DIGITAL: Anne Dibbern (annd@kea.dk), +45 40883665
- International Coordinator BUILD/TECH: Andreas Berger (andb@kea.dk),
+45 21480134
Is it safer in my host country or in Denmark?
This is impossible to say. It might be safest for you to stay in your host country because all travel and transit can contain risks. You might however end in quarantine in the country of destination, since some countries ask for incoming visitors to isolate themselves for a certain number of days or weeks. You can see the daily updates of the different countries here on the website of the World Health Organisation www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/travel-advice.
In Denmark, we have a very good and stable health system, prepared for dealing with COVID-19. This might also be the case for your host country. We advise you to follow the local guidelines and to read information from the national health organisations.
What do I do if i can only get online teaching?
If your host university offers online teaching only, you are still expected to go abroad to your exchange destination. If you receive the ERASMUS+ grant, you will be entitled to keep it. However, you will lose the grant (and will have to pay it back), if you access the online teaching of your host university from Denmark or from another country, i.e. your home country.
Remember to inform your international coordinator, if the forms and/or methods of teaching change unexpectedly, and/or if your subjects are being changed. In that case, your learning agreement would have to be amended accordingly.
What do I do if it isn’t possible to leave my host country after the exchange?
If leaving the country is impossible due to force majeure and/or the corona situation, you have to inform your international coordinator at KEA. You might also be able to get guidance from your home country’s embassy or consulate. Finally, you might be able to get help to return to Denmark, your permanent country of residence by contacting the hotline of the Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs: bbb@um.dk or +4533921112.
If I interrupt my exchange prematurely because of a coronavirus outbreak, will I get my accommodation cost and my flight ticket refunded?
You must consult your local housing provider and read your rental contract to determine whether you have the right to stop your lease and get a refund. You also have to consult the conditions of your travel insurance to find out, if they will cover the cost of extra flight tickets or a changed booking. KEA does not have insurance to cover this kind of unforeseen expenses.
Do I fail my semester, if I interrupt my exchange?
In order not to fail the semester and to prevent you from having to repeat it, your international coordinator at KEA will do everything possible to help you. However, KEA cannot guarantee that you will earn full credit if you interrupt your exchange semester.
We will ask the host university to provide you with e-learning opportunities to catch up as many credits as possible, and at the same time your programme at KEA will prepare compensatory assignments and projects to fill the gap between already achieved credits and the required 30 ECTS.
What do i do if i haven’t got enough money to buy a new flight ticket/trip back to Denmark?
Firstly, you must contact your travel agency and/or your airline to investigate whether they can change your booking. You are also advised to contact your travel insurance to get to know the exact terms and conditions of refund/re-booking etc. If you cannot afford a new ticket by yourself, you should contact family and friends for financial support. KEA cannot pay for any extra cost related to your exchange, but the ERASMUS+ programme might provide some compensation, if you can document the unforeseen expenses.
Where can I get an update about the Corona virus situation in Denmark and at my current place of residency?
You can get an update on my.kea.dk, on KEA's website and on KEA GLOBAL’s website. You should also follow the link to the Danish Health Authorities. Your host institution is obliged to inform you via their intranet, SoMe or other official communication channels about the current updates.
We also advise that you ask locals to translate the main conclusions of the national daily news for you if you do not speak the local language. You can also get information through the national representation of your home country (embassy, consulate) in your host country.
If I want to go home to my home country, rather than to Denmark, am I allowed to do so?
KEA cannot forbid you to go back to your home country if you feel unsafe at your exchange destination. If you interrupt your exchange however, you must always inform your international coordinator and your contact person at the host institution about your intended destination (city/region/country) and possible transit countries.
Do I have to pay back my Erasmus+ grant?
It depends on the individual situation whether you have to return part or all of your Erasmus+ scholarship as a result of interrupted Erasmus+ exchange or traineeship. There are clear guidelines on the extent to which you can keep your Erasmus+ grant if your Erasmus+ exchange or traineeship is interrupted.
If your Erasmus+ exchange stay is interrupted, your international coordinator will deal with your specific case. The coordinator will tell you how to proceed and whether you’ll have to return parts or all of your Erasmus+ grant. As a general rule, you can keep your Erasmus+ grant for the period you’ve stayed abroad.
Other expenses that are not covered by the Erasmus+ grant, such as prepaid rent or transport in connection with an interrupted Erasmus+ exchange or traineeship stay, may be covered in accordance with the Programme’s "Force Majeure" guidelines. Again, your international coordinator deals with your specific case.
Earlier updates
Read earlier updates on covid-19 at KEA
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8 Sep // A message from the rector
Dear KEA students
Recently, there has been an increase in the number of people infected with coronavirus in i.a. the Copenhagen area and especially in the age group 20-29 years, which includes many of you. Therefore, the Health Authorities have introduced new measures to limit the spread of infection. The new Covid-19 restrictions are provisionally in force until 4 October and primarily apply to life outside KEA. It also means that you need to pay close attention to your behaviour outside of KEA. Keep a good distance, avoid large gatherings, sanitise your hands frequently and do everything possible not to expose yourself to the risk of infection.
However, all teaching at KEA is happily continuing as planned, as the teaching itself is not subject to the new restrictions. The 100-person assembly ban is reduced to 50 people, but the assembly ban does NOT apply to educational activities. You can still receive teaching even if you are more than 50 people together as long as you comply with the guidelines on distance and permanent groups/classes, as has been the case since the start of the semester.
At KEA, however, the current situation also requires that we pay extra attention:
- All social events, regardless of size, which have not already been cancelled, must be cancelled.
- When we are physically present at KEA, we must continue to follow the guidelines on distance and hygiene, etc. The requirement of a minimum distance of 1 metre may be deviate from in classes, but otherwise it applies everywhere, i.e. also in corridors, in the canteen, etc.
- Avoid public transport if other means of transport are possible, especially in cases of overcrowding.
- Please continue to make sure NOT to show up at KEA if you have symptoms of illness. If you feel weak and have a cold, stay at home.
With the above, we hope that we can help reduce the spread of infection and avoid another lockdown of KEA and the other educational institutions.
In our experience, the authorities' guidelines change frequently, so be sure to stay informed on KEA's intranet for students at https://my.kea.dk/en/corona-virus.
On behalf of KEA,
Kind regards,
Steen Enemark Kildesgaard
Rector -
31 Aug // A message from the rector
Dear students
We are very happy to have you back and to be able to teach you again in KEA's buildings. The practical element of our programmes had difficult conditions during the spring lockdown, so it’s great to hear KEA buzzing with life and activity again. The intro activities have also enjoyed great support and commitment!
I've also noted that you are good at remembering the guidelines on social distancing and hygiene, and that you stay at home when you have symptoms if illness. That's really good. Thank you very much for that and please help each other remember it!
Staying at home, if you have any symptoms of, is particularly important. If you feel weak or have a cold, you have to stay at home.
Last week, two of our students found out that they were infected with coronavirus. As part of the Covid-19 contact tracing, two classes were sent home and are now being taught from home while waiting for their Covid-19 test results. The incidents have emphasised how important it is that everyone knows what to do if a student or employee is diagnosed with Covid-19.
KEA follows the health authorities’ guidelines on handling students infected with Covid-19. Below you can see how KEA will act if a student is infected with coronavirus
Procedure for handling outbreaks of Covid-19 at KEA
- A student who has been diagnosed with Covid-19 calls in sick by contacting their teacher or KEA Study Administration at studielyg@kea.dk.
- KEA obtains contact information on the person concerned and informs the infected person that he/she will be contacted by KEA HR (KEA's HR department) and the Danish Patient Safety Authority. KEA will then stay in close contact with the Danish Patient Safety Authority and follow their instructions in relation to infection detection and other actions concerning those affected.
- If the student is present at KEA, he/she should then go home and isolate him/herself in relation to cohabitants – as well as follow the health authorities' guidelines in the given situation.
- In order to reduce the spread of infection, KEA will send home the entire class, to which the infected student is affiliated, and ask them to keep informed about their ‘stay-at-home’ situation on their KEA-mail. The fellow students who have been sent home will be asked to take a Covid-19 test on the 4th day and again on the 6th day (control test) after the risk of infection has been identified. We therefore recommend that you book time for testing on coronaprover.dk. as soon as possible. In our experience, new tests for booking are constantly being added, so if you cannot book a test, or the location or time are not convenient, try again a few hours later.
- During the ‘stay-at-home’ period, the students are advised to pay extra attention to maintaining social distancing, using hand sanitiser and washing their clothes when they get home.
- If an entire class is sent home, KEA will immediately convert the teaching to a digital format. We will provide further information about this on KEA-mail and Fronter.
- Once a student has received a negative test response, he or she can return to KEA. This already applies to the test on the fourth day, even though a control test is carried out two days later. Keep an eye on Fronter to find out how long classes will be carried out on-line, so that those of you who have been sent home are able to follow the teaching. After all, it is not certain that everyone will get answers at the same time, just as there may be academic considerations speaking in favour of maintaining online teaching for a period of time.
Stay informed on KEA's intranet
If you have any questions about KEA's handling of Covid-19, you can read more on this page or contact KEA Study Administration at studielyg@kea.dk. On this page we have collected all relevant information regarding social distancing requirements, hygiene, use of personal protective equipment, social events etc. In our experience, the authorities' guidelines change frequently, so remember to stay updated.
We all need to look after each other and help KEA become a safe place to study. Remember to keep your distance, sanitise your hands and make sure that everyone complies with the guidelines, as indicated on signs and stickers all over KEA.
Stay safe and healthy and enjoy your studies at KEA!
On behalf of KEA,
Kind regards,
Steen Enemark Kildesgaard
Rector -
15 Aug // A welcome from the rector
Dear students
To all of you who are about to start studying at KEA, I want to say a big welcome to KEA! And to those of you who are already studying at KEA, I want to say welcome back from summer vacation. KEA has reopened after the summer holidays and we are very pleased that, to a great extent, the teaching can now be carried out physically in our classrooms.
Despite the corona pandemic, we try to have as normal a working life as possible, but the risk of infection limits our movements around KEA. We all need to look after each other and help KEA become a safe place to study, so we have developed some guidelines:
Keep your distance, ensure good hygiene and stay at home in case of illness
It is very important that we all keep a good distance. There must be at least 1 meter between us, but during classes the distance can be less than 1 meter if you are not mixed across groups/classes. You'll hear more about that if it applies to you. We also follow the authorities' recommendations on the use of face masks when you are unable to keep a safe distance outside your group/ class, e.g. in workshops. And of course you are welcome to wear a face mask elsewhere at KEA if you wish. We also need to practice diligent hygiene habits and follow the guidelines to stay at home if we are ill, because then we minimise the risk of being infected with coronavirus.
Avoid mingling too much and go home when your planned activities end
The focal point of your teaching and social activities is your class, and in addition, KEA will offer various activities that are predominantly done digitally. You can read more about this below. Unfortunately, we cannot open our Friday bars, hold parties or have social events where we physically interfere across classes. We have also banned smoking on KEA's premises in order to minimise the risk of spreading infection. In order to reduce the number of people staying in KEA’s buildings at any given time, we have spread activities over the day and made staggered working hours. We also recommend that you are only present at KEA when you have planned activities or need to make use of the library or workshops. So please go home when your planned activities are over. All to reduce the risk of infection.
Quarantine on entering or returning to Denmark
If you enter Denmark from abroad, it is important that you follow the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' guidelines for self-isolation, etc. Get more information on https://politi.dk/en/coronavirus-in-denmark where the Danish authorities have gathered all relevant information about coronavirus, quarantine, testing, infection tracking, etc.
If, due to Covid-19, you are unable to attend classes, have symptoms or have become ill with Covid-19, please notify KEA Study Administration at studielyg@kea.dk.
This applies, for example, if:
- You travel to Denmark from a country where quarantine is required (see politi.dk/en/coronavirus-in-denmark/travelling-in-or-out-of-denmark). Please note that you can shorten your quarantine by being tested and having a negative test result.
- You have symptoms of Covid-19 and are waiting for your test result.
- Due to Covid-19, you are prevented from leaving your home country
If you are at an increased risk of becoming infected, you can report it to your head of programme. KEA Study Administration(studielyg@kea.dk) can provide you with information about who to contact on each programme and help you if you are at increased risk.
More details and continuous updating of guidelines
On KEA's student intranet, mit.kea.dk/en, you can read the guidelines, which apply at KEA. On the intranet, you can also find answers to frequently asked corona-related questions. These may include e.g. distance requirements, the use of protective equipment, guidelines related to illness, disinfection of shared equipment, social events, etc. In our experience, the authorities' guidelines change frequently, so remember to stay updated on mit.kea.dk/en.
We need to help each other remember the guidelines. Please say thank you when a fellow student or a teacher helps you remember :)
Timetable soon to be sent out
Due to distance requirements, etc., we take a little longer to set out timetables than usual. We are working relentlessly and you’ll get a timetable covering the first few weeks as soon as possible.
We look forward to seeing you at KEA!
On behalf of all of KEA, my very best regards
Steen Enemark Kildesgaard
Rector
Earlier updates
Message from KEA's rector
(22 June 2020)
Dear KEA students
With the summer holidays rapidly approaching, KEA has been given the green light by the Ministry of Higher Education and Science to open up certain facilities at KEA over the summer. This means that you can now access KEA’s library and workshops to a certain extent during the period from 24 June to 3 July and again from 3 August. In the table below, you can see what opportunities there are to access the library and workshops.
In the period from 6 July to 31 July, it is KEA's Heads of Programme who give selected groups of students access to specific facilities depending on the needs of each programme. If your programme is granted access to specific facilities, you will be notified directly.
In August, you will be notified of how the teaching will be carried out in the autumn semester. We do not yet know to what extent KEA can conduct teaching in yours and your teachers’ physical presence at KEA. We very much hope that we can return much more to more normalised conditions - that is, except that everyone must of course be extra careful about hygiene and follow the Danish Health and Medicines Authority's guidelines on distance, etc., so that we ensure that the teaching at KEA is carried out as corona-safely as possible.
Keep an eye on https://mit.kea.dk/en that is constantly updated with relevant information. We will also send information by e-mail, so keep an eye on your mailbox over the summer.
If you are going abroad, remember to read the Foreign Office's travel guides for the country you are travelling to (https://um.dk/da/rejse-og-ophold/rejse-til-udlandet/rejsevejledninger in Danish). If you are travelling to a country that has an orange or red marking, you must stay at home during the quarantine period before entering KEA. According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the guidelines will change depending on the pressure of infection, etc., so keep track of their travel instructions on an ongoing basis.
If you or someone in your household is diagnosed with COVID-19, follow the guidelines on https://mit.kea.dk/en. There you will also find guidelines on how to act in case you become ill or are in a so-called special risk group.
KEA's teachers tell me that they are impressed at how well and quickly you have adapted to the difficult conditions of the corona crisis. All teaching and group work had to be carried out online overnight, which is a huge challenge! But you have adapted quickly to the new conditions, and I would like to thank you very much for that!
To those of you who have completed all your exams, I would like to thank you for your effort, and to those of you who still need to finish the last bit of your programme, I will say "break a leg"!
I wish you all a great summer – we look forward to seeing you at KEA after the summer holidays!
On behalf of all of KEA, my very best regards
Steen Enemark Kildesgaard
Rector
Message from KEA's rector
(22 May 2020)
Dear KEA students
The political agreement Wednesday night on further re-opening of Denmark also opens up for more possibilities for KEA than the ones we announced on 8 May. As of 27 May, KEA will be able to hold oral exams physically at KEA.
Subject to a very few exceptions, our students and teachers have prepared for online oral exams. Therefore, it will not necessarily be desirable to change these. Together with the programme management, we will investigate which planned online exams it would be appropriate to alter to physical oral exams. We expect to be able to inform you of possible changes next week.
In the press release, our Minister, Ane Halsboe-Jørgensen, announced the following about the further re-opening: “...a lot of students will still have to finish the semester from home, and to those students I wish to say: I am simply so impressed about the way you have been capable of adapting yourselves and kept going, even though your course of study all of a sudden changed over a few days. You have shown community spirit and you have proven to the outside world that in Denmark, we have students who not only take responsibility for their own learning but also for society.”
Like our Minister, we are impressed about you students’ – and our staff’s – way of handling the challenges of the lockdown, and we look forward to seeing you again in August. For those of our students who are completing their education at KEA this summer, we plan to make as proper a celebration as we can on your upcoming graduation at a distance, and a real party when we are allowed to party again.
Remember that all general information about your studies and about KEA’s lockdown owing to Coronavirus is gathered at https://mit.kea.dk/en.
KEA still stand together – separately.
On behalf of all of KEA
My very best regards
Steen Enemark Kildesgaard
Rector
Message from KEA's rector
(8 May 2020)
Dear KEA students
Last night saw the presentation of the political agreement on phase 2 of the reopening of Denmark. Today, our Ministry gave an outline of the areas KEA will be allowed to reopen from 18 May - and which ones still not to open. We are very pleased that we will be able to go ahead with those teaching and exam activities that require access to workshops and various equipment. This concerns specific activities at a few of our programmes. We will be contacting those students directly who are involved in these activities, as soon as we have plans ready to ensure that the activities can be carried out safely in adherence with the health-related guidelines that the authorities will be presenting in the middle of next week.
All other KEA students are to continue to work from home, digitally as before.
While welcoming the opportunity for this limited opening, we are so sorry that we cannot expect to see each other physically till after the summer holidays as predicted by the planned phase 4 and reopening in August. As a consequence, some of you will be completing your education at KEA before we’ll be seeing each other physically again. We’ll therefore do our utmost to find the best non-physical ways of marking the event.
Don’t forget that you’ll find all general information about your studies and KEA’s lockdown due to Coronavirus at https://mit.kea.dk/en
We are looking so much forward to being able to resume to normal classes in KEA’s buildings. Until then, KEA stand together - separately.
We wish you happy Great-Prayer-Day holidays!
On behalf of all of KEA, my very best regards
Steen Enemark Kildesgaard
Rector
Message from rector, 28 April
Dear students at KEA
I’ve recorded a video message for you with various information. You can watch it on the right.
As KEA previously announced on 8 April, our buildings will be closed until 10 May, and, as a general rule, teaching and exams will be converted to take a digital form until the summer. Your teachers and programme management will continue to keep you informed about the concreate plans for your studies. As soon as the Danish government announces what will happen after 10 May, KEA will let you know.
Also, remember that all general information about your studies and about the temporary lockdown of KEA due to Coronavirus is gathered in the FAQ above.
In the below, you’ll find links and practical information that we think you might find useful in the current situation:
Learn more about online exams at KEA
- Instructions for students on online exams
- More information In KEA’s Study Guide
- Video on the use of MS Teams for online exams
Items in KEA lockers
If you have a locker in KEA with things you can't do without, write to servicedesk@kea.dk and arrange for a time to collect your things. You cannot stay at KEA when picking up your things. Please think about whether you could do without them before writing. Normally, we would empty the lockers in July, but we won't empty them until it will again be possible for students to get into KEA.
Are you having IT challenges?
Write to servicedesk@kea.dk, and KEA IT service will try to help you.
Play online games with other KEA students
Whether you're into action-packed shooting games, cozy board games or mind-bending poker, KEA has made sure there's something for you. As a KEA student, you can meet in virtual spaces and on game servers to try your strength on anything from Counter Strike Global (CS:GO) to Texas Hold 'em. All our games and virtual gamer communities are located on KEA's Facebook for students www.facebook.com/KEAstudentlife where you can sign up.
Study Skills and webinars on writing
When you’re sitting at home studying on your own, you need all the help you can get. KEA has collected useful information on the platform, Study Skills https://bibliotek.kea.dk/en/studyskills.
This platform includes video tutorials and step-by-step guides for reading strategy, note technique, time management, presentation technique, research, group work, written communication, etc. On the basis of this platform, KEA Library holds webinars on report writing, etc. You can also get help from KEA's "StudyAid Videos" for online article searches, surveys, reference techniques, etc. You’ll find the StudyAid videos on https://bibliotek.kea.dk/en/.
Do you have a story for our Facebook for KEA students?
Being a student in these corona times can be difficult and challenging. If any of you are writing about this on social media, and on how to face the challenges, we'd love to share your stories on KEA's Facebook, www.facebook.com/KEAstudentlife. Please write to KEA's SoMe editor, Martin Launey, marl@kea.dk, and let him know about your story.
KEA's Study and Career Guidance can help you
The situation can be challenging and may make new demands on you as a student. If you have any questions or need to talk about your thoughts or concerns, you can always contact KEA Study and Career Guidance, who offer confidential and non-committal conversations about your course of study, SU, leave, etc. You can contact KEA's Study and Career Guidance at studievejledning@kea.dk
We look very much forward to seeing you in KEA's buildings again.
Until then, KEA stand together – separately.
On behalf of all of KEA, my very best wishes
Steen Enemark Kildesgaard
Rector
Email to KEA's students / 8 April
Dear students
At the press conference on 6 April by the Danish Prime Minister, the physical closure of institutions of higher education was extended until 10 May.
At this stage, we expect to be looking at a best scenario of a limited, gradual reopening after 10 May. Everything depends on the development of the spread of COVID-19.
As a consequence, and to ensure a kind of predictability for you as students, we’re in our planning providing for a continuation of the current situation right up until the summer holidays.
This means that: -
Your classes will be digital until this summer
You must expect all your teaching and learning to be digital until the summer holidays. We’ll convert all classes possible to take a digital form, and we’ll find new solutions to this situation. Your teachers and programme management will continue to keep you informed about the organisation of your specific course of study.
Your exams will be digital
As a general rule, we’ll convert all exams until 30 June to take place digitally. It may be decided to conduct a few specific exams as originally planned if physical presence at KEA is made possible in the period up to the summer. You will be informed if this is the case for any of your exams.
Most exams - but not all - can be converted to take a digital form
A few exams cannot be converted to take place digitally. At present, we expect to postpone such exams until KEA reopens for physical presence. You will be notified directly in your KEA email no later than 13 May if this applies to any of your exams.
We will help you as much as possible with your internship
We know that several of you are having issues with your internship – and at KEA, internship is an essential part of your education. We’re doing everything we can to help you with physical as well as digital solutions. You’re always welcome to contact your teachers or your internship supervisor if you have any doubts about your situation.
KEA Study and Career Guidance are ready to help you
We’re aware that this situation can be challenging and that it makes new demands on you as students. If you have any questions or need to discuss your thoughts or concerns, you’re always welcome to contact KEA Study and Career Guidance. KEA Study and Career Guidance offer confidential and non-committal dialogue about your course of study, SU, leave, etc. and anything affecting your studies in this unusual situation. Contact KEA Study and Career Guidance at: studievejledning@kea.dk
Remember that you can find information on our FAQ at https://mit.kea.dk/en/
We feel certain that we'll get through this together – even if it might potentially take long before KEA's buildings will again be buzzing with activity and we'll be able to meet again physically.
KEA stand together – individually.
On behalf of all of KEA, my very best regards
Steen Enemark Kildesgaard
Rector