Returning to campus in the spring term

On Wednesday 2 December, we received guidance from the government about their plans for students returning to university campuses in the spring term. Institutions have been asked to:

‘stagger’ the return of students to campus, prioritising students on programmes with practical elements or placements; and
provide Lateral Flow Tests for non-symptomatic students when they return to campus.

We are working our way through this new guidance and developing plans for this staggered return, and will write to all students before the end of term to let you know about testing arrangements and when you should plan to be back on campus.

We can confirm, however, that our spring term will start as planned on Monday 11 January for most students, noting that a small number of programmes will start before that. Programmes will start online for many students initially, as we transition back to face-to-face teaching in a phased way by early February.

We are still planning to reopen our Library, catering services and campus facilities from 4 January after the Christmas closure.

This new government guidance does not change any of the information we have already provided to our international students, including students from the European Union, about the return to campus.

Can I travel back and forth between my student accommodation and the place where I’m spending the winter break?

The new tiers arrangements include provisions about student travel. These say that, you are permitted to move on one occasion from your student accommodation to one other household (such as your family home) for the winter break.

The government has asked students who plan to travel to do so in the ‘student travel window’ between 3 and 9 December.

Once you have arrived at the household where you are spending the winter break, you are subject to the tiers restrictions as normal and in most cases this means you must not travel back and forth to your student accommodation, except when returning to university for the spring term.

When can I return to my university accommodation following the winter break?

Will I miss out on teaching and learning if I am asked to return later than my original start of term date?

We can confirm that our spring term will start as planned on Monday 11 January for most students, noting that a small number of programmes will start before that. Programmes will start online for many students initially, as we transition back to face-to-face teaching in a phased way by early February, in line with government guidance.

What if I am staying in Reading over the winter break - when will my face-to-face teaching resume?

Our Halls will remain open for all students living in university accommodation.

We are working our way through the new government guidance and developing plans for this staggered return, and will write to all students before the end of term to let you know about when face-to-face teaching will resume for your programme.

What facilities will be open from the start of term?

How can I get a test when I return to university and what do I do when I get my test result?

Do I have to take a test when I return to university?

Can I travel on public transport to go back to university?

Yes, you can travel by either public transport or private transport when you return to university, but to minimise the risk of transmission to others, you should travel by private vehicle wherever possible.

If you travel by public transport, you should follow the safer travel guidance. You can help control coronavirus by:

wearing a face covering (unless you are exempt);
keeping your distance from people from other households when you travel, where possible;
sanitising your hands regularly;
avoiding the busiest routes and times;
downloading the NHS COVID-19 app before you travel and checking in where you see official NHS COVID-19 QR code posters.

If you are driving, only travel with people from your household or the household you are going back to join at university and follow the safer travel guidance.

My family home is in Wales/Scotland/Northern Ireland - do I have to take any extra measures before returning to my university in England?

No, if you live in Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland, you should follow the same guidance as students living in England. We are working our way through this new guidance and developing plans for this staggered return, and will write to all students before the end of term to let you know about testing arrangements and when you should plan to be back on campus.