Summer Course Information & FAQs

Upon acceptance, participants will receive online banking details and payment instructions. Credit card payments are accepted subject to an additional surcharge. 

Note that banking institution fees related to any transactions will be deducted from refunds. 

• Cancellation 25 or more working days prior to the course start date will result in a 100% refund, less $100 administration fee.  

• Cancellation between 25 and 10 working days prior to the course start date will result in  a 50% refund.  

• Cancellation within 10 working days of the course start date will result in no refund except  under exceptional circumstances. 

All suitably qualified applicants may apply (on the application form) for bursary funding to assist with course fees. Awards are based on financial need. Financial support is not available for students who intend to arrange vacation time in Bermuda before or after the course. In addition, all recipients of bursary funding are required to contribute a testimonial, and they may be asked to participate in activities to acknowledge and thank the sponsors who have made funding possible. We also request that recipients do not discuss bursary details with other participants. 

The level of bursary support available cannot be determined in advance. All bursary requests are considered equally, and funding is allocated after the closing date when all applications, for all courses, have been received and assessed. Award amounts will be dependent upon enrollment and the total amount of support requested.  

A welcome brochure will be provided in advance, containing useful information to help you prepare for your time at ASU BIOS, such as a packing list, campus map, what to expect, etc. 

Unless otherwise explicitly advised, participants should plan to arrive the Sunday before the course begins and depart on the Saturday after the course ends. Accommodation and meals are included in the course fee for this period only. 

Participants who need to arrive or depart outside of the course dates should contact ASU BIOS Reservations Manager (Jane Burrows, [email protected]) to enquire about the availability and pricing of accommodation. Space, if available, will be allocated on a first come first serve basis and will be at the participant’s expense. Reservations must be confirmed prior to purchasing flights. Please note that the type and location of accommodation available for additional nights may be different from that provided during the course. 

Late arrivals are not permitted, except for unavoidable flight delays, illness, etc. Early departures are discouraged, but may be accommodated, if necessary, with the prior consent of the instructor. 

Course participants stay in dorm-style rooms. Depending on enrolment numbers and availability, rooms may be single or shared with one or maximum two other participants of the same gender. Some rooms have ensuite bathrooms; some have shared facilities. We cannot guarantee that a particular type of accommodation will be available in advance. 

Due to our remote location and kitchen size, it is not possible to ensure that our dining facility is free from allergens. ASU BIOS is unable to cater to a wide range of food preferences, intolerances, allergies and religious requirements. It is the responsibility of participants concerned with food allergies/intolerances to be aware of the risk of exposure and to be able to respond appropriately. Vegetarian options are available at each mealtime. If you have specific concerns about your dietary requirements, please contact us in advance.

All summer course participants will receive, via email, a transcript (percentage and letter grade) after successful completion of the course. ASU BIOS does not issue academic credit to non-ASU students, who are otherwise encouraged to explore whether independent study credit may be available through their home institution. 

Participants requiring academic accommodations (e.g. extra time or a quiet room for exams, lecture notes in advance) must advise their specific needs well in advance on an information form, which will be provided upon acceptance to the course. Requests must be supported by an official letter from their home institution. 

Medical and travel insurance are not covered by ASU BIOS - medical insurance is required for the duration of your stay and is the sole responsibility of the participant. All visitors to ASU BIOS must ensure that they have (or can obtain) sufficient insurance to cover any potential emergency medical costs while in Bermuda, including those arising from SCUBA activities where applicable. 

All visitors must have a return (outgoing) ticket to enter Bermuda - proof of which may be requested by immigration officials upon arrival at the airport. All visitors must have a passport valid for at least 45 days after their planned date of departure from Bermuda.  

All course participants must provide us with their travel details (arrival and departure dates, times, airline and flight numbers) to ensure compliance with Bermuda Immigration regulations. 

Foreign nationals travelling to Bermuda do not require an entry visa. However, proof of residency or a valid Multi Re-Entry Visa (MRV) may be required for either the U.S., U.K., or Canada, depending on which of these countries you transit through on your way to Bermuda and your country of citizenship. Please review the list of visa-controlled countries available on this webpage Immigration Information to determine if you require an MRV prior to purchasing flight tickets. If an MRV is required, participants must be in possession of this upon arrival and it must also be valid for at least 45 days after their planned date of departure from Bermuda.  

If applicable, participants should ensure they have a valid electronic travel authorisation for transit through the U.S., Canada, the U.K. or the European Union e.g. ESTA, eTA, ETA, ETIAS. 

We will connect participants travelling on the same flight, so that airport meet-ups and taxi shares can be coordinated. Please note that taxi transfers are a participant expense. 

The course Teaching Assistant will meet participants and assist with locating accommodation etc. All participants are expected to attend a welcome meet & greet on the Sunday evening. 

A mandatory orientation session will be held on the Monday morning immediately before the course starts, followed by a brief tour of the campus. 

ASU BIOS Summer Courses are academically rigorous. Participants should expect an intensive course, which may require evening and weekend sessions, plus private study and preparation time. Schedules, in particular boat and field trips, are subject to change dependent on weather and sea conditions. 

Additional questions should be directed to Audrey Pope, University Programs Coordinator, at [email protected]