We’re full of optimism for the coming months and we hope to see many students return to campus for the next academic year.
As you’ll know from previous communications, we’re offering taught students a remote study option for Semester 1 of the 2021/22 academic year, where the individual programme supports this. We’re providing this to support students who cannot return to Manchester at the beginning of the academic year due to travel restrictions, or other reasons. All UG and PGT students will have received a communication from their programme team back in May, outlining whether or not they have a remote study option for Semester 1.
If you have a remote study option for Semester 1 and haven’t responded already to let us know your plans, you must let us know by 1 July 2021 whether you intend to study on-campus or remotely in Semester 1. This is important so we can make plans to keep everyone safe. Don’t worry if your circumstances are unclear at the moment – you can notify us of your current intended study option, then change this over the summer if you need to. The communication from your programme team will detail how you should respond, to notify the team of your intentions for Semester 1.
We know it may be more challenging for international students to return to campus. To support those travelling from designated ‘red list’ countries, the University will reimburse the cost of the required quarantine stay in a government-approved hotel. You can read more about this in our online FAQs.
For students who return to campus, teaching and learning will be a mixture of in-person on-campus activities, live online lectures and classes, and recorded video content and other online resources. Previous emails from your programme team will have provided further detail about teaching for your particular programme next year.
There will also be lots going on around campus. Our University halls will be open, with a full schedule of welcome events. This includes the opening of a new hall – Uttley House in Fallowfield, with a café bar, social and study spaces, and gardens.
Libraries and study spaces will also be open – including click and collect services, printing and photocopying, and access to special collections. We’re also continuing our wellbeing programme, with yoga, mental health workshops, creative sessions and more.
The Students’ Union is also here to support you. We are expanding the “buddy scheme” to connect you with other students when you arrive, and societies and clubs will be running a wide range of activities.
We hope you’re excited to return to campus soon. We can’t wait to welcome you and see campus gradually get back to the vibrant place we all know and love. The last year has not been the same without you!