As we approach the new academic year, we’re excited to see more students and staff start to return to campus.
All courses will return to in-person teaching and all university buildings will be open. We’re working hard to make sure that facilities and services are running as close to normal as possible – including libraries, halls of residence, catering and sports facilities.
Continuing safety measures
Though some things are returning to normal, we know COVID has not disappeared. To help us protect each other and reduce the chance of spreading COVID on campus, we’re continuing some safety measures into the new academic year.
We encourage you to follow these “hands, face, space” guidelines:
- Wash hands and use hand sanitiser regularly. Sanitiser will be available at the main entrances of all campus buildings.
- We strongly recommend everyone wears a face covering while moving around indoors on campus. We expect that you will wear face coverings in lecture theatres and large teaching spaces, and they may be required in other areas – this will be indicated by clear signage.
- Social distancing is no longer legally required. However please continue to follow any safety signage and guidance you receive from staff, both in teaching settings and elsewhere around campus.
Enhanced cleaning is still in place, and we are ensuring all ventilation systems work effectively.
Get vaccinated
We encourage all staff and students to get the COVID-19 vaccine before or shortly after you return to campus (if possible).
You can book a vaccine through the NHS booking service if you are registered with a GP in England. There will also be walk-in vaccination centres on campus from Friday 17 to Friday 24 September, and there are other local vaccination sites you may be able to attend without an appointment.
EU and international students can also get vaccinated in the UK – the vaccine is available free to everyone here, regardless of nationality or immigration status.
Find out more about how to get vaccinated.
Get tested twice a week
Even if you’ve been vaccinated, we encourage everyone on campus to take COVID tests twice every week. Regular testing will help prevent the spread of infection.
You can order home test kits online or collect free testing kits from locations around campus.
If one of your tests comes back positive, or you develop COVID symptoms, you are legally required to self-isolate immediately and get a PCR test. The full details of what to do are outlined in our self-isolation guidance for students.
Find out more about testing and where to get test kits.
Welcoming you back
We’re really looking forward to having everyone back on campus for the new academic year. We hope you’re excited too, and that we can work together to help keep everyone safe.