We believe that keeping education and assessment on track is an important source of structure, normality and focus.

We also believe that we need to be proportionate, realistic and empathetic so your lecturers are setting alternate assessments designed to balance the circumstances with the desire to ensure that you get the opportunity to bring together your knowledge and understanding in conditions which do not add to your stress and anxiety.

Exams

All exams will be open book. All will have longer time spans for completion. Your previous outcomes will be calibrated into the overall degree outcome.

Extenuating circumstances

We have also introduced a simpler system for Extenuating Circumstances. A second assessment period will be arranged later in the year to take account of the likelihood of more COVID-19 Extenuating Circumstances.

We are aware that some of you will have connectivity issues, or won’t have laptops, and that online teaching poses different challenges for equality, diversity and inclusion.

Please let your School Office know if you are struggling with connectivity and technical issues. They will be able to direct you to suitable technical support, or put alternative arrangements in place.

We also have some some specialist software available.  Find out what software is available and how to access it. 

We value, celebrate and are proud of our inclusive and diverse community. We remind all students that our University is also a community of respect.

All members of our community are expected to ensure that all aspects of our individual and collective behaviour reflect this.

We encourage anyone experiencing or witnessing abuse or inappropriate behaviour to report it to the University.

If you feel you need support, please email the Information Point coronavirus-student@bristol.ac.uk or staff support services email coronavirus-staff@bristol.ac.uk.

If you are worried about your studies or you feel you need help managing these changes, please contact our Wellbeing teams or email coronavirus-student@bristol.ac.uk. You can also access Redirect (Togetherall) and the SU Just Ask service.

Nilaari is a culturally appropriate counselling service providing help and support for Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic people. If you feel Nilaari would help you you can receive up to 5 free counselling sessions. Find out more about Nilaari.

SARI (Stand Against Racism and Inequality) provides support and advice to victims of hate, and promotes equality and good relations between people with protected characteristics as defined by law. Contact SARI for free, confidential support.

Wellbeing self-help resources.

We take allegations of bullying, harassment and discrimination very seriously. We have an Acceptable Behaviour Policy (PDF, 154kB) which we expect all our staff and students to abide by. 

If you experience or witness any incidents of prejudice or harassment connected with Coronavirus, or with anything else:

• contact us by using our Report and Support service to report incidents anonymously or to get advice or,
• contact the police (by visiting your local police station) or by phone.
• SARI (Stand Against Racism and Inequality) provides support and advice to victims of hate, and promotes equality and good relations between people with protected characteristics as defined by law. Contact SARI for free, confidential support.

Watch our webinar: Responding to Racism and discrimination with speakers from SARI and Avon and Somerset Police. (Recording starts at 01:00). Responding to Racism and discrimination - transcript.

Mind, the mental health charity, has some helpful advice if you are worried about coronavirus and how it is affecting your wellbeing.

We appreciate that providing education through online learning was not what you anticipated.

We are working to make sure your education outcomes remain unaffected.

These arrangements are different for each course. If you have any queries or concerns about your course please raise them with your personal tutor / supervisor or school in the first instance.

You are still required to pay your fees as we are unable to make discounts or offer refunds of tuition fees.

If you withhold tuition fees, you will be unable to graduate until you pay your debt.

We would follow our standard processes to pursue payment.

We understand that this situation may be worrying for many of you. If you’d like to speak to somebody, email: coronavirus-student@bristol.ac.uk.

If you are worried about your studies or you feel you need help managing these changes, please contact our Wellbeing teams or email coronavirus-student@bristol.a.cuk. You can also access Redirect (Togetherall) and the SU Just Ask service.

Nilaari is a culturally appropriate counselling service providing help and support for Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic people. If you feel Nilaari would help you you can receive up to 5 free counselling sessions. Find out more about Nilaari.

We are a diverse, international community and welcome students from across the globe. We have an Acceptable Behaviour Policy (PDF, 154kB) which we expect all our staff and students to abide by. We take allegations of bullying, harassment and discrimination very seriously.

If you experience or witness any incidents of prejudice or harassment connected with Coronavirus, or with anything else:

• contact us by using our Report and Support service to report incidents anonymously or to get advice or,
• contact the police (by visiting your local police station) or by phone.

Webinar

Watch our webinar: Responding to Racism and discrimination with speakers from SARI and Avon and Somerset Police. (Recording starts at 01:00).

Responding to Racism and discrimination - transcript

You can talk to the advisers in the Student Funding Office who will be able to discuss what financial support we may be able to offer. You can contact the team by emailing student-funding@bristol.ac.uk.

We understand that in the current situation you may be feeling anxious and uncertain about what is happening. This is a stressful time, and especially so if you don’t have the support of family members.

There are many staff in the University who are here to make sure you are well supported. Maria Tottle is available as the main contact for care leavers and estranged students. Email maria.tottle@bristol.ac.uk and she will be able to arrange a phone call or skype conversation. Maria will be sending regular updates, as well as opportunities to stay in touch with her and with each other. To make sure you receive these emails please complete our support for care leavers and estranged students form.

• Find out about support for care leavers
• Find out about support for estranged students.

We know that some communities are being disproportionately affected by the Coronavirus pandemic, due in large part to the existing inequalities that they face every day.  We have created a range of resources to support marginalised communities which we hope you will find useful. 

Read the latest guidance from the NHS.

Read the latest guidance from the NHS.

Self-isolation means staying at home for between 7-14 days and not going to classes or work, using public transport such as buses or trains, or visiting public areas such as libraries, pubs or shops.

Read the NHS Self-isolation guidance.

Please contact the ResiLife team or ask friends or family to help with shopping or other essential supplies you may need.

Please contact your School in the first instance to let them know you are not attending classes, and our support team on coronavirus-student@bristol.ac.uk. We can offer advice and support while you are in isolation.

Please do not be worried about being absent from your studies for this short period. Your school and the support team at coronavirus-student@bristol.ac.uk will help to make sure this does not affect your studies.

Please read the Stay at home: guidance for people with confirmed or possible coronavirus (COVID-19) infection.

Read the NHS Self-isolation guidance.

Wearing a surgical face is commonplace in China and other East Asian countries to protect users from air pollution, infection and to prevent the spread of germs. Although WHO advice focuses on hand hygiene (frequent washing with soap and water and the use of alcohol gels), some students may feel more comfortable wearing a mask.

Since the outbreak of Coronavirus, more of our Asian students have adopted wearing facemasks. This is not an indication of infection and our students should not be treated adversely as a result of their personal choice. The practice is now becoming more widespread; if you feel you would like to take extra precautions such as wearing a mask, you should feel able to do so. 

Please contact your project supervisor to alert them to your circumstances so we can ensure mitigations can be applied.

Please read the Stay at home: guidance for people with confirmed or possible coronavirus (COVID-19) infection.

You can find the latest advice on the NHS coronavirus webpages.

If you need to self-isolate, please contact the Residential Life team or ask friends or family to help with shopping or other essential supplies you may need, where possible. Please also contact your School to let them know about your self-isolation, and email our support team at coronavirus-student@bristol.ac.uk. They will offer advice and support while you are in isolation.

Please read the Stay at home: guidance for people with confirmed or possible coronavirus (COVID-19) infection.

You can find the latest advice on the NHS coronavirus webpages.

We have increased the cleaning frequency of frequently touched objects including door handles, lift buttons, handrails etc to at least daily and more frequently where possible.

Handwashing is still the most effective way of reducing risk and we urge you to follow government guidelines.

Please tell us if you are staying in halls or in off-campus accommodation in Bristol, so we can provide advice and information.

There is restricted access to some facilities and buildings. These are only accessible to people authorised by Faculty Deans or Divisional Directors.

If you are authorised, you can access the front door, the specific essential space and limited other spaces.

Please try to limit the use of the facilities and buildings to an absolute minimum to avoid putting unnecessary pressure on the physical infrastructure and colleagues who are working to service the estate.

Please observe the lone working procedures of your school or division.

If you do not have access

Please do not try to access any buildings if you are not authorised. If you think your access is essential, contact your Faculty Dean or Divisional Director.

Our library services are now online. Our librarians are working remotely to support your studies and research.

There are many resources being made freely available to help support you at this time. 

All University-run sports facilities are closed.

All members will have their membership automatically frozen from 18 March for the foreseeable future.

If you have any questions, please contact seh-enquiries@bristol.ac.uk. Please bear with us if it takes a little longer than normal to respond.

The Careers Service is unable to offer in-person appointments in order to safeguard our community and visitors.  However our Careers Service is still here for you during this time. We aim to bring you the same level of quality careers support, information, advice and guidance through alternative means. Use mycareer for online activities or ask us a question.

We are following Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) advice regarding travel. Please check locations where there is a travel risk.

Please read the information provided by the University's travel insurers on Coronavirus on the Insurance Office webpage.

Our insurance does not currently cover voluntary changes to travel plans.

We will tell you if travel which has been approved needs to be cancelled.

Please read the information provided by the University's travel insurers on Coronavirus on the Insurance Office webpage.

Please see the travel insurance webpages for information and an application form.

We have taken the difficult decision to postpone our graduation ceremonies. We are working hard to schedule alternative gatherings when possible, and we thank everyone for their understanding. We will be in touch across the next few weeks with further information.

Successful graduates will receive their degree award following the Examination Boards, which will take place for undergraduate finalists during July and during September (for students who need to defer some assessments).

We have had to take the difficult decision to cancel our graduation celebration in Shanghai which was due to take place in March.

We have arranged refunds for all tickets already purchased. If you had booked to collect your degree certificate at the event, it will now be posted to you instead. Please see our Certificates and transcripts webpage for further details.

We are all very disappointed that we couldn't proceed in March, but we are investigating the possibility of holding the event at a later date. We will update the China graduation webpage when we have news about this.

Unfortunately, we are not able to discuss the details of individual students with parents, guardians or carers but please be assured we are keeping students up to date with the latest information, which can be found on this webpage and also via the Public Health England (PHE) webpages.

We encourage you to contact your student directly and re-emphasise the need to contact their NHS 111 if they are worried about their health.