Face-to-face lectures planned as uni gets set for the new term

BANGOR University has announced its plans for when students return to higher education this month.

The university welcomes thousands of students – both from the UK and internationally each year.

But due to the global situation, the university has now had to take steps to minimise the risk of Covid-19 transmission to protect its staff, students and the community.

Bangor University said it is committed to opening its campus to students in September in time for the start of the next academic year.

The institute aims to provide as much face to face teaching as possible, whilst also maintaining social distancing.

The university also revealed that due to uncertainty with travelling, it is expecting fewer international students studying at its campus this year, which could have an impact on university development in the forseeable future.

Despite the evident challenges ahead, a spokesperson for the university revealed that they were ‘looking forward’ to welcoming students back.

The spokesperson said: “The University looks forward to beginning a new academic year later this month.

“A huge amount of planning has taken place to ensure that the appropriate precautions and practices are in place to make the campus as safe as possible for the benefit of students, staff and the local community, whilst at the same time ensuring that students, some of them experiencing university for the first time, have a good experience.”

The university revealed it is taking a “blended learning approach,” combining some face-to-face teaching where safe to do so, with some lectures delivered online.

On-campus live sessions such as seminars, practicals and tutorials will be delivered in small groups so that students are able to socially distance.

The size of the groups will depend on the social distancing measures in place at the time.

And although Fresher’s Week will not take place, the university has announced that it’s introducing a Welcome Week with a range of planned activities, including online content.