Stay away Students told not to travel back to universities

UNIVERSITY of Bristol and UWE students have been told not to go back to university – unless they are studying certain courses.

On Monday evening Prime Minister Boris Johnson revealed how primary and secondary schools would be affected by the new lockdown, but university students, many of whom were due to return to campus in the New Year, were left in doubt.

It has since been confirmed that students should not return to university until a further update has been given, unless they are studying certain courses.

The Government has said that students undertaking training and study for the following courses should return to learning as planned:

» Medicine & dentistry

» Subjects allied to medicine/ health

» Veterinary science

» Education (initial teacher training) » Social work

» Courses which require Professional, Statutory and Regulatory Body (PSRB) assessments and/or mandatory activity which is scheduled for January and cannot be rescheduled.

These students will be requested to be tested twice upon arrival to university and have to self-isolate for 10 days.

Students studying other courses have been told not to return and to resume their studies from home.

But students across the country have taken to social media to express anger at having to pay full tuition fees, and in many cases rent fees, for a university experience ‘ruined’ by Covid.

The University of Bristol has urged students to keep checking their emails and the university website for more updates, as they wait for “further information from the Department for Education.”

A spokesperson from the Uni said: “The safety of everyone in our community remains the primary concern at this time.

“Following the Government’s announcement ... we are awaiting further information from the Department for Education and will be assessing the situation before providing detailed advice to students and staff as soon as we are able to do so.

“We know how important inperson teaching is for our students and we are committed to ensuring we continue to offer the best possible education.”

A UWE spokesperson said: “The announcement made by the UK Government to impose lockdown has come as a surprise to us.

“However, rest assured we are working through what it means for our community.

“Students: for now, please do not travel back to Bristol. We will provide further updates as soon as we can.”

Meanwhile the NUS, National Union for Students, has responded to the lockdown restrictions for higher education in England by calling for more support for students at this time – who they say have been “regularly ignored, lied to and blamed” through the pandemic.

NUS Vice-President Hillary Gyebi-Ababio said: “The impact of yet another lockdown on students’ education and welfare will be severe, and ongoing disruption means students are struggling to make ends meet. Students need substantial support.

“Universities must provide a high quality of online teaching and learning and we need rapid investment to enable every student to properly access it.”

Students across the country are being advised to follow Government guidance and are also asked to keep up to date with the information outlined on their university website.

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Students: for now, please do not travel back to Bristol. We will provide further updates as soon as we can

UWE spokesperson