Our teaching. Your learning.
During the next academic year, we intend to provide every student with a combination of face-to-face teaching in smaller classes, laboratories and other environments as appropriate, together with virtual teaching sessions in place of lessons that would normally take place in large groups. The face-to-face classes will take place only where it is safe to do so, with social distancing and new hygiene arrangements in place.
For the online element of your studies, some classes will be accessible at a time of your choosing, while others will be broadcast live and enable you to interact with your tutors and classmates. You will also be able to arrange private study time in our libraries, where again the necessary safety measures will be in place.
At the present time, these arrangements apply only to the academic year 2020-21. Full details specific to your course will be made available as soon as possible and, of course, these arrangements are potentially subject to change if necessary as a result in future changes to government guidance.
Keeping our campus safe
Most of our buildings will be open, including libraries, the sports centre, the Guild of Students and places to buy food and drink, and you will still be able to enjoy our outdoor spaces. However, to make sure the campus is safe, you will notice a range of measures in place to ensure hygiene measures are implemented and adhered to.
All buildings open to students will be subject to new standards and be clearly marked with ‘COVID secure’ signs, meaning you can have confidence they adhere to current national public health guidance. Measures will also be in place to ensure social distancing is maintained so, for example, you might need to book a place in the library or for a sports activity before you attend. There will also be one-way systems for pedestrians in many areas, and when moving around buildings.
All of these measures are intended to allow you to enjoy life on campus while keeping you, your fellow students and university staff safe.
Face coverings
The University recognises that face coverings help to keep everyone safe and reduce the spread of COVID-19. Because of this, we will be providing two free, washable face masks to every student and staff member and strongly advise you to wear one of these, or your own, both when you are indoors on campus and when moving around the campus from one location to another.
As a minimum we will maintain our policy on face coverings to reflect latest national public health guidance, and we will communicate the full details with all students, including any changes that happen over time.
We do understand that face coverings can be a barrier for some disabled people and if you have any concerns in this regard our Disability Advice and Guidance team will be available to help you.
Dealing with COVID-19 cases
The measures we are putting in place will significantly reduce the chances of the virus spreading among our university community. However, we are well prepared for any cases that do occur.
Using the University’s world-class expertise in infectious disease, we will be providing free COVID-19 testing on campus for any student or member of staff reporting possible symptoms of the illness. This will be available seven days a week and anyone who goes for a test will receive a result within 24 hours.
This testing system will be integrated with local health services in Liverpool, so is an easy alternative to accessing NHS testing in the normal way. Anyone who receives a positive test will receive the same information as any COVID-19 patient in the UK, which currently includes guidance on managing any symptoms and requires a period of self-isolation. In addition, in the event of a positive test, the University will take steps to identify any wider risk to students or staff and communicate accordingly. We will also implement special cleaning measures and temporarily restrict access if and when there appears to be a risk of the virus having spread within a University building.
Liverpool Responds: Supporting our students
In a recent online event, Professor Gavin Brown, Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Education and guests discussed how the University is aiming to make the student experience the best — and safest — it can be in the challenging times ahead.
Welcoming you to Liverpool
We have put together a comprehensive three-stage orientation programme, to ensure that you are ready and prepared to take full advantage of your time with us from day one.
Launchpad to Liverpool
The first stage of this programme for undegraduate UK students is our Launchpad to Liverpool online module. Designed to help you transition smoothly into higher education, you will access this from your home in the run up to starting your degree programme with us.
This is an on-demand collection of orientation videos and written materials to aid transition to study and will be available for those UK undergraduate students who have been accepted on to a course at the University from the week commencing 17 August 2020. You will receive an email from us next week telling you how to access the module.
Welcome week
The 2nd of our orientation programmes, Welcome Week, is the University’s official welcome to all of our new students. It will take place between 28 Sept and 2 Oct 2020 and aims to help you settle into your new environment, make friends with other students, and to find out more about what the University has to offer. During Welcome Week, students will also find out about the range of support and advisory services available to them at the University – including how, during their time with us, we will help them enhance their employability. Via the Guild of Students, you will be able to join clubs and societies and, via Sport Liverpool, to sign up for a range of sporting activities.
This year’s Welcome Week will encompass a range of events and activities that are available to students both on-campus and online. Regardless of where or how our students are studying, there will be something for them in Welcome Week.
Foundation week
The 3rd of our orientation programmes, Foundation Week, will take place between 5 - 9 October 2020 and aims to give all of our students, regardless of their year of study, a head-start in preparing for the new academic year and the start of the teaching term. During Foundation Week, students will have the opportunity to engage with their academics to understand in detail how the hybrid learning and teaching model will operate within their school or department. You will also attend introductory presentations in your school or department, gather tips and advice from leading University of Liverpool alumni; and attend webinars on a range of skills development topics.
Foundation Week will also showcase to students the world-leading research and scholarship taking place at the University.
Postgraduate taught students starting in November or January
For postgraduate students starting programmes in November or January there will be a range of online content to welcome you to the University and to help you prepare for your studies. We’ll be in touch nearer the time with all the details you’ll need.
For answers to practical questions relating to subjects such as start dates and quarantine arrangements, please see our FAQs page.
The fun stuff. Social and leisure
A range of activities and facilities will be available both face-to-face and online. For example, you’ll still be able to take part in a wide range of sports and exercise activities using our facilities, and the University is working closely with Liverpool Guild of Students to make sure you have chances to join networks, clubs and societies.
As a new student, you will also be invited to a series of events to make you feel welcome and help you make friends.
Living in on-campus accommodation
Ensuring your accommodation is safe
Arrangements that allow you to continue to enjoy the same high standards of accommodation in our University halls of residence, with measures to enable social distancing, including a phased and contactless arrivals process, use of automatic gates and doors, tailored warden welcome and induction events, ‘quarantine’ support for overseas students and new cleaning regimes.
Students in university halls will be given a timed slot to move in, between Saturday 26 September until Friday 2 October 2020.
See here for more information about accommodation.
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