January all student update
Welcome back!
Happy New Year, we hope you found some time to rest and recharge over the holiday period.
As we return to University, there are no significant covid-related changes to our day-to-day life in England. The expectation is that in person teaching and learning will continue, and while it is the assessment period for most of you, some students will resume taught sessions from next week.
Face coverings
The only real change is that the Government has updated its guidance on wearing face coverings to indicate that they should be worn in all teaching and learning settings, unless you are exempt. The University expects that all students should wear a face covering in all libraries, teaching rooms, lecture theatres, and indoors in corridors and communal spaces as you are moving about. This is likely to be a temporary measure with a further review by Government at the end of January. Face coverings do not need to be worn when outdoors.
Face coverings help protect the wearer and others against the spread of infection because they cover the nose and mouth, which are the main confirmed sources of transmission of COVID-19.
Testing
If you are returning to Birmingham, then please take a lateral flow test before you travel (either the evening before or the morning of travel) and please do not travel if you test positive or are self-isolating.
Once back on campus please continue to test at least twice weekly. You can find out where test kits are available from the University here: Asymptomatic home test collection.
Vaccinations
If you can we recommend you are fully vaccinated before you return to campus and get a booster jab as soon as you are eligible. You can find details of walkthrough sites here: Find a walk-in coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccination site.
We will also be launching a survey next week about your vaccination status so that we can plan to offer additional vaccination services on campus if necessary.
Assessments
Don’t forget to look out for the final email in our UoBe Ready assessment support series. Offering tips and advice on tackling your exams and assessments, our jam-packed email should drop into your inbox later this week. For all of the latest information our webpages have advice on assessment support, revision tips, wellbeing advice and help with extensions and extenuating circumstances if you need them.
You should be aware that most assessments are now online. Any changes will have been communicated to you by your School, but if you are unsure please check your personal exam timetable, or your school office. Find your school’s contact details here.
Good luck, and look out for our regular fortnightly student e-bulletin, the ‘Brum Bulletin’, which will start again from next Wednesday 12 January. You can also check University social media channels for any important updates.