CORONAVIRUS Q&A

Will I still have to pay fees next year?

A discount on university fees for the next academic year is unlikely despite changes to teaching.

Michelle Donelan, the higher education minister, previously announced students would not be entitled to refunds or compensation for learning moving online if it was still of high quality.

But some institutions have offered payment delays for next year, such as the University of Exeter, which has offered prospective students a deposit extension. The London School of Economics has said if students have accepted a place but decline the offer before registering there will be “no financial penalty”.

The University of Oxford has said “it is not appropriate for course fees to be waived” for next year, because students will have “worldclass academic teaching”.

Cambridge has also said fees for the Easter term will not be waived as “teaching, assessment and support services” will all remain available remotely.

Will I be able to attend face to face lessons?

Manchester University was the first to confirm that all lectures next term will be delivered online, followed by Cambridge, which said tutorials and smaller classes could take place in person provided if they can conform to social distancing.

The University of Bolton, University of Coventry and University of Sheffield have all committed to reopening campuses by September. The University of Oxford and Durham University are also aiming to reopen their campuses next term, but social distancing restrictions could be in place for the entire academic year.

Do I still have to pay for accommodation when distance learning?

A number of universities have allowed students to terminate accommodation contracts for the Easter term and receive partial refunds, including Durham. Kent University students who returned home before April 4 were not charged for the final term. The University of Edinburgh has said if a student is unable to travel and take up their accommodation next year, but still wishes to enrol as a student, the room will be held, or new a place will be found when they arrive.

King’s College London has said students will have until August 1 to cancel their university accommodation for next year or face a £500 cancellation fee.

How will universities protect students on campus?

Face coverings are advised on public transport to prevent the spread of the virus. Some universities have implemented similar guidance to allow staff and students to return to campus from September.

The University of Bolton has said face coverings will be compulsory for the foreseeable future, and temperature scanners and one-way walking systems will be installed on campus.

Lancaster University has said it plans to open its campus as usual from September, but it will prioritise small face-toface teaching groups.