We’ll open in September, say three regional universities

THREE YORKSHIRE universities have announced plans to open their campuses safely for the start of the academic year in September.

Universities across the UK sent students home in March and moved lectures, classes, exams and graduation ceremonies online.

While many students assumed they would return to campus in September, whether that will happen is not yet fully known.

However Sheffield Hallam yesterday became the first university in Yorkshire to announce that it will welcome new and returning students for a mixture of faceto-face campus-based and online teaching, with provision adjusted to be in line with the latest Government advice.

The University of Sheffield and University of York have also confirmed to The Yorkshire Post they will open their doors in September.

At Sheffield Hallam, some lectures and assessments will be delivered online, alongside socially distanced small-group teaching, laboratory work, access to arts studios and specialist teaching facilities, libraries and social spaces.

There will also be access on campus for students to meet friends where food and drink outlets will be available.

Professor Sir Chris Husbands, vice-chancellor at Sheffield Hallam, said: “Our campus will be open and safe for the 2020-21 academic year this autumn – in time to provide an excellent teaching and campus experience for all our students on their return.”

Prof Husbands added: “New measures will be in place to ensure safe practices for getting around campus.”

Meanwhile Cambridge is holding all lectures online for the 2020-21 academic year while Manchester University said it would move lectures online for the autumn term.