Aberystwyth University will refund students for unused accommodation after they were asked to stay away amid strict lockdown measures being enforced in Wales because of rising coronavirus cases.

The university said that it will offer accommodation fee refunds to students who have not returned to their university-owned accommodation in the town this year while teaching is solely online because of the pandemic.

Students – who were due to begin a staggered return to the town from Monday, 11 January – have been urged not to come back to university.

Students who have already returned will be allowed to stay, with the university putting in place a testing regimen.

The announcement follows Welsh Government advice to students last Friday afternoon asking students to remain at home, with face-to-face teaching unlikely until at least the middle of February as a new strain of the virus takes hold.

NUS Wales had called for students to be refunded accommodation cases until they are allowed to return to universities.

NUS Wales president Becky Ricketts said that making students pay for services they can’t access would be a “kick in the teeth”.

“Many students now face the prospect of paying hundreds of pounds of rent for accommodation they won’t use until mid February at the earliest,” she said.

“We demand that Welsh Government, universities and private landlords work to compensate those students, who by staying at home are keeping Wales safe.”

Tim Woods, pro vice-chancellor, learning, teaching and student experience at Aberystwyth University, said: “The change in Welsh Government guidance means that many of our students will not be taking up residence in university accommodation for the time being.

“With this in mind, the university has decided that any student who is not using their university accommodation, due to the guidance to stay at home, can get a refund of 100 per cent of their fee for every week they are not using their accommodation.

“This will apply from Monday, 4 January this year up until the date they are permitted to return.”

Nate Pidcock, president of Aberystwyth Students’ Union, said he was “delighted” at the decision.

“We understand that the university has had to respond to government advice at the last minute.

“Students have been negatively impacted throughout the pandemic and it is brilliant to see that the university is listening to students’ feedback.”

An Aberystwyth University spokesperson added: “We have told our students not to travel unless absolutely necessary.

“Our priority continues to be the safety of our students, staff and the wider community.”