Update on University operations and Department for Education (DfE) tier level

01 Oct 2020

A message from Professor Nalin Thakkar, Chair of Campus Reopening Group and Vice President for Social Responsibility

In the light of the rising infections in Greater Manchester, the University has reviewed campus operations, including for the delivery of teaching and learning, in accordance with the DfE guidance on the tiers that apply in higher education.  

In line with this guidance we consider that we are operating at DfE tier 2*, which recommends;

• HE providers should move to an increased level of online learning where possible. Providers should prioritise the continuation of face-to-face provision based on their own risk assessment. We expect that, in the majority of cases, this will be for those courses where it is most beneficial (for example, clinical or practical learning and research).

The COVID-19 security measures that we have in place to minimise the risk of infection already meet, and in many cases exceed, Public Health England and the government recommendations. These arrangements, combined with our approach of aiming to deliver face-to-face teaching where it is safe and practical to do so, enable us to continue to deliver our existing teaching plans.  This is in line with comparator universities.

In practice this means that Faculty Leadership Teams will make local decisions about the appropriate mix of blended learning based on the safe and practical delivery of programmes.

We will continue to review the situation and our response, and will keep staff informed of any changes.

Nalin Thakkar

Chair of Campus Reopening Group and Vice President for Social Responsibility

*The tier level for higher education is based on guidance from DfE and is separate from the UK COVID-19 alert level.