I am writing to inform you that last night the government announced some last minute, but important, changes to its guidance for students returning for spring term which affect our plans for supporting your return to campus following the winter break.

These changes to government guidance are a result of the increase in national transmission rates for Covid-19 (due, in part, to the advent of a new strain of the virus) and introduction of further restrictions across the UK. While our campuses and classrooms remain Covid-secure environments, and education remains a national priority activity, the government is keen to reduce the movement of people into and across the country to minimise transmission risks. The letter regarding these changes can be found on the government website. Minister of State for Universities, Michelle Donelan MP has also written to students about the latest changes to courses and how it may impact them individually.

Revised campus return dates

The government has confirmed that in-person teaching, placements and assessments will continue as planned for students studying programmes in Medicine & Dentistry, Health & Social Care including Nursing & Midwifery, Physiotherapy and Veterinary Science, Education including initial teacher training, and Social Work.

There are also some exceptions for students undertaking courses as part of their employment, or with professional-body mandated teaching that cannot be rescheduled. Students on these programmes should return to campus on their previously agreed date between 4 and 18 January. Your School will write to you to reconfirm this.

For all other programmes, the government has said that, until at least 25 January, teaching will still commence at the start of term but remain online. We are informed that the government will keep this under regular review, with the first such review scheduled to take place in the week commencing 18 January. Your School will write to you to confirm arrangements for online teaching and keep you informed of when your in-person teaching may commence.

The government guidance recognises that some students have remained on campus during the break and others may have a compelling reason to return before the start of their in-person teaching – for example because they are unable to study from home, need to sit their online exams on campus, do not have alternative accommodation or for health reasons (see below for specific information for international students).

Students returning for these reasons are able to book Covid tests through the University Testing Service via our website. Ultimately, your return date is up to you, but, regardless of when you return, your in-person teaching, placements and assessments will not commence until the date notified to you by your School.

Some students have online exams scheduled between January 11th and 29th. The timetable for these remains unchanged.

Covid-19 testing regime

Students will be able to book Covid-19 testing upon return to Nottingham or prior to resumption of studies for those who have remained in the city during the break. During the term, students will have the opportunity to be tested regularly. The government has stressed the importance of asymptomatic testing in the fight against the virus. It is strongly recommended that wherever possible all students also obtain a negative Covid-19 test from their home areas before travelling.

Together these measures will help identify and isolate any positive cases early and, hopefully, reduce onward transmission of the virus to your fellow students, staff and the wider community.

What do I need to do?

• If you are studying programmes in Medicine & Dentistry, Health & Social Care including Nursing & Midwifery, Physiotherapy and Veterinary Science, Education including initial teacher training, and Social Work or have been advised by your School that you have mandatory activity in January, please book a Covid-19 test from the University Testing Service and return to campus on your previously agreed date between 4 and 18 January. Before travelling, obtain a negative Covid-19 test from your home area if available.
• If you are studying on any other programme, please prepare for your teaching and/or assessment to commence online for the time being, and check your University email account for further information from your School about arrangements for online teaching and for when your in-person teaching may commence.

Other information

Campus facilities such as libraries, study spaces and catering and retail outlets will be available from 4 January to support those on campus from the start of term. However, our sports provision will be curtailed in line with the city’s Tier 4 restrictions which came into effect at midnight on 31 December.

International students

The government advice for international students travelling from overseas for the Spring term is to consider whether they in fact need to travel to the UK at this time, particularly if their course does not require them to be on campus from 4 January. Those students should consider delaying if their travel arrangements can be rearranged without undue costs.

For those who do travel and those returning from overseas - who would ordinarily be subject to a 10-day quarantine period if they arrive from a country which is not on the travel exemption list - there will have the option to take an accredited Covid-19 test from a private testing provider after five days of self-isolation. A negative result will release students from the need to isolate from day six. More details can be found on the Government website.

Support

I appreciate this last-minute delay to in-person teaching for many students will come as disappointing news, as indeed it is to us at the University, and will bring its own challenges to many of you.

The University may be able to offer interest free loans or non-repayable grants to students experiencing financial difficulties resulting from the coronavirus pandemic. For further information, please visit Support Funds or email financialsupport@nottingham.ac.uk.

I will continue to keep you informed with further news as we receive it, and all of us at Nottingham will continue to work hard to support every student in these difficult times. For details of the support available to students please visit our webpages and please do not be afraid to seek help if you need it. Please ensure you check your University emails and junk folders so you do not miss any important updates.

In the meantime, please continue to follow the latest restrictions and stay healthy by observing the “hands, face, space” advice. Whether in-person or online, we look forward to recommencing your teaching in January and I wish you a safe and happy 2021.

Best wishes

Professor Andy Long, FREng
Provost & Deputy Vice-Chancellor
University of Nottingham