The University has sent an email to all students, warning those planning to travel to the Middle East during the break of the potential academic consequences of missing their studies.

The email, sent on 17 March, warns that the “current conflict in the Middle East continues to create uncertainty and disruption both within the region and internationally,” and urges students to “consider the significant risk of travel disruption” if moving through the region.

The University also warns that if students are unable to return in time for next term’s assessments, they will be required “either to pause their studies and resume at the beginning of Easter Term in the following academic year, or to withdraw from their course”.

The message further states that those unable to return “cannot be permitted to continue [their] studies remotely,” with a limited exception for incoming MSt students.

While the University acknowledges that students may have to make “difficult decisions,” some students argue that this sentiment does not fully encapsulate the pressure these policies place on academic progression and wellbeing.

“I don’t think adequate support has been offered,” said an international student at Magdalene College. “Exam allowances are used to help students facing extenuating circumstances, and being stuck in a war zone does constitute an extenuating circumstance.”

Beyond academic consequences, the policy creates immediate practical challenges related to the cost of living.

Some colleges, including Lucy Cavendish and Girton, offer longer accommodation contracts, which allow students to remain in residence during term breaks.

However, several colleges, including Magdalene and Sidney Sussex, require students to move out at the end of term, with longer stays incurring extra costs. At Magdalene, for example, out-of-term accommodation costs approximately £200 per week.

Meanwhile at Trinity, students were informed that it “may not be possible” to approve all requests to stay over the Easter vacation due to scheduled outreach events, with some students required to move rooms at short notice.

According to estimated annual cost-of-living data, accommodation prices in Cambridge range from £10,260 to £15,900 per year. Based on the University’s own estimated living costs, even a two-month period over the Easter break could amount to several thousand pounds in accommodation and basic expenses (approximately £2990 to £4920 for two months).

Several students described the uncertainty around return travel as deeply stressful. One international student from Dubai said: “This term has felt much more uncertain than it should. The constant changes to travel, with airports opening and closing on and off, have made it really hard to plan something as basic as getting back to Cambridge after the Easter break.”

Students have also raised concerns about the cost of cancelling or rearranging travel plans already booked months in advance. “We’re expected to cancel just two days before travelling – that’s a £2800 ticket down the drain,” said an international student from India.

The email from the University points students towards financial support, stating that colleges can provide access to hardship funds and that students may apply for “small grants from the University’s Humanitarian Response Fund”. This fund offers grants of up to £5,000, though eligibility is limited to students from specific conflict or humanitarian crisis zones.

Some students questioned whether these measures are sufficient or accessible. “Quite a drastic and last minute measure given how students are already packing to leave,” said an international student at Queens’ College, “and shocking given that almost no college has made an effort to help students with alternative arrangements, forcing them to head back based on travel plans made months ago.”

In response, the University told Varsity: “We understand that the current conflict in the Middle East means it is a worrying and difficult time for many of our international students, a number of whom will have been looking forward to visiting their families at the end of term and may now have to take difficult decisions.

“We recognise that changing or cancelling travel plans may have financial implications and so the University’s International Response Task Force has therefore agreed that the University’s Humanitarian Response Fund may be used to provide support for students who need to stay in Cambridge over the break.”

The University went on to provide application links to the University’s website, as well as suggesting other forms of support, including the Financial Assistance Fund, and mental health and wellbeing support through the Student Support Services webpages.