Plans for next academic year (2020/21)
We want to update you on plans for the next academic year.
Returning next year
When term will start
Undergraduate and postgraduate taught
The new academic term starts on Monday 28 September. During this first week we will be running online induction activities that will be delivered on-demand and flexibly. Teaching will begin on Monday 5 October. On-campus teaching for postgraduate taught programmes will begin on 19 October.
Postgraduate research
The academic year will start on 21 September. Please speak to your supervisor for more details.
Non-standard programmes
Non-standard programmes, including professional programmes like veterinary science, have different start dates. Find out the start dates for non-standard programmes.
When you can access your accommodation
We will provide information about when you can access your accommodation in the next few weeks.
Tuition fees
Tuition fees are unaffected, as you will be accessing our quality teaching and support. There will not be a discount.
How your degree programme will be delivered next year
Teaching on campus or online
We are developing a strong, research-rich blended learning curriculum in response to the pandemic.
This combines face-to-face small group teaching and mentoring with new innovative and engaging online teaching and learning.
This means there will be a blend of high-quality on-campus and online education in 2020/21.
If you are unable to travel to Bristol, we will be making arrangements for online access to your programme of study. However, for some programmes there will be requirements around in-person teaching.
We will need to deliver traditional large scale lectures online to keep you and our staff safe.
Spending 50 minutes in large lecture theatres with between 100-400 students is currently not safe during this pandemic.
We will not be scheduling teaching events which do not meet current safety protocols.
However, we will constantly review this approach in line with the evolving public health situation and government advice.
Lab/practical or research-based courses
Many of our programmes are taught through small-group settings such as seminars, lab classes and tutorials.
We will try to continue to teach these in person to enable you to engage with your teaching and learning. However, we must follow any national safety guidelines in place at the time.
Supervision for research projects will continue in person or online as appropriate.
Adapting to changing situation
We are building in flexibility and resilience to our courses so we can either:
- increase the face-to-face components during the year if the pandemic resolves more quickly than expected, or
- increase the online components if subsequent waves occur and lead to further restrictions.
We will constantly review this approach in line with the evolving public health situation and government advice.
Campus and teaching during the pandemic
Social distancing on campus
Your safety and wellbeing is our priority.
We are implementing social distancing measures across our campuses.
As part of our approach we will use dedicated entrances and exits along with one-way systems, queues and distance markers combined with other safety measures like hand sanitising stations. This will include:
- teaching and study spaces
- libraries
- laboratories
- residences
- social and sports facilities
- and our outdoor spaces.
We will follow government guidance between now and the proposed physical re-opening of our campus. Any action we take will be made with your safety in mind.
Cleaning on campus
We will clean and disinfect our buildings regularly to reduce the opportunity for transmission and provide extra hand washing and sanitising facilities.
Where required, we will provide personal protective equipment (PPE) for example clinical teaching and research facilities.
International students
If you are unable to travel due to restrictions in your country
We are monitoring the UK government's advice relating to travellers coming to the UK. This will ensure we have the right measures and arrangements in place to support you next year.
Late arrivals
We have flexibility to accommodate you if you arrive onto campus late due to delays leaving your home country.
We will continue to check all travel restrictions and will provide updates where necessary.
Support with your career and finding job
Careers Service
Our Careers Service is now offering many of its services online. This includes, the Bristol Plus award, help finding internships and work experience and a range of other support.
Volunteering
We are working with Bristol Students' Union to offer you more volunteering opportunities.