Semester Two: what you need to know
Find out how your work is affected by the latest announcements relating to Coronavirus.
Students returning to campus
Following the most recent announcement from the UK Government, relating to a national lockdown, most students will continue to learn online.
Only students studying for degrees in Medicine, Teaching and Social Work are able to return to study. This has been in effect from Monday 4 January 2021.
All other students should not return to campus – the Government is due to review this in the middle of February. These students will learn online in the meantime.
What this means for you
The start of Semester Two will likely be online for most students. This means, if you're a lecturer or other member of teaching staff, you will conduct your sessions remotely.
If the course you teach is in Medicine, Teaching or Social Work, you should come on to campus to provide face-to-face teaching. The same safeguarding measures are in place as they were in Autumn 2020, including getting tested for Covid-19 before you start teaching.
See our joint UEG/UCU statement [PDF] relating to our plans for Semester Two.
Research staff should work remotely where possible. Researchers who need to use laboratory equipment for their work can come on to campus to do this. Please follow the guidance on getting tested before working in research labs on campus.
If you are a member of professional services staff, you should continue to work from home. The exceptions to this are people working in core campus services (such as the Library and shops) that support our students.
Support for you
We recognise that some staff may not be in a position to deliver on-campus commitments due to clinical vulnerability or because they care or live with clinically vulnerable people.
You should speak to your line managers if you have any questions or concerns about the University’s Semester Two plans. Heads of department and academic line managers are available to have conversations with staff who may face difficulties.
During Semester Two we will maintain the arrangements outlined in our HR policies and procedures page including the advice for staff and managers FAQs. All staff should ensure they are familiar with this key guidance and resource.
Staying informed
As our plans for Semester Two progress we will provide updates through weekly emails and these web pages.
Information and resources
You can also access the following documents:
- UEG/UCU joint statement [PDF 103KB]
- Teaching Principles and Approach [PDF 170.48KB]
- Preparing for Semester 2 delivery – Module Modifications and Timetabling [PDF 480KB]
- Agreed draft Semester 2 timeline [PDF 95KB]
- General Risk Assessment Lecture Theatres [PDF 312KB]
- Lecture Theatre Filling [PDF 849KB]
Webinar recordings
The following webinars covers a lot of the qustions raised by members of staff: