Students doubtful of face-to-face teaching this year

THE MAJORITY of university students are not expecting to receive any more face-to-face teaching this academic year, a survey suggests.

But two in three students are living in their usual term-time accommodation amid pandemic restrictions, according to a poll by a think-tank.

The findings, published by the Higher Education Policy Institute (Hepi), come as universities in England await details on when all students will be allowed to return to campus for in-person activities.

Last week, Universities UK (UUK), which represents vicechancellors, said institutions want students back on campus “as soon as possible after Easter” for face-to-face experiences and catch-up support.

But more than half (56 per cent) are not expecting to receive any more in-person teaching this academic year, according to the Hepi survey of 1,044 students.

Two in three students said they have not received any financial reimbursement from their university or accommodation provider as a result of the pandemic.

Less than a fifth (19 per cent) have received reimbursement from their accommodation provider, 13 per cent from their university and two per cent from both.

University leaders fear that all students in England may not be allowed to return to campus until mid-May at the earliest under Covid-19 restrictions.

The majority of students – apart from those on critical courses – were told not to return to campus as part of the lockdown announced in January.

But the survey, from Hepi and YouthSight between March 11 and 16, suggests that 66 per cent of students are living in their usual term-time accommodation.