University operations following updated government guidance

29 Jan 2021

A message from Professor Nalin Thakkar, Vice-President for Social Responsibility

Dear colleagues,

Following the announcement from the Prime Minister (27 January), it has been confirmed by government that, aside from the exempt programmes and students with particular personal circumstances which require them to be on campus, students should not return to campus and most teaching will remain on-line until at least 8 March.

This means that the operations we have had in place since the new year will continue. The guidance confirms that ‘In universities, currently only those on critical courses such as medical, clinical and healthcare subjects should be receiving face-to-face teaching and all remaining students should continue their studies remotely until 8 March at the earliest.’ We will continue to determine which programmes and student cohorts might need to return earliest, if we are required to manage a staggered return from 8 March.

In addition to this the guidance says that ‘students and staff on campus should take part in twice weekly testing on offer to help limit transmission and identify asymptomatic cases.’ This is in place across campus for those staff and students to access.

You all continue to work tirelessly, thank you for your continued dedication and support across the University.

This isn’t the news any of us wanted, but we know that it is necessary to help reduce the level of infection and enable us to get back to more normal activities once it is safe to do so.

Kind regards,

Professor Nalin Thakkar

Vice-President for Social Responsibility