Teaching and Studying | University of Reading

Teaching for: Education (Initial Teacher Training), Physician Associates, Pharmacy and Speech & Language Therapy

We will continue our blended teaching approach, including providing some face-to-face teaching, for students taking courses at Reading that the government has already identified as being permitted to return to campus. These are Education - Initial Teacher Training, Physician Associates, Pharmacy, and Speech & Language Therapy. This means that for students on these programmes no changes are being made from your current teaching provision.

If you have timetabled face-to-face teaching in the coming weeks, you may travel back to campus and when you return to Reading, you should take three lateral flow tests at an onsite testing facility (3 - 4 days apart) to confirm that you have not inadvertently brought the virus with you. Book lateral flow tests at the SportsPark.

If you are travelling from overseas, you must follow the government rules which we have published on Essentials.

Teaching in the summer term (19 April – 11 June)

The government has advised that students should continue to study online until at least the 17 May (Step 3 on the Roadmap), unless they are undertaking a placement or practical and studio-based activities that cannot easily be replicated online. We wrote to you in the spring term to let you know if your programme had face to face teaching and/or placement activity or if your programme would continue to be delivered online only. Following the latest government announcement, the position remains the same for your summer term teaching, placement and practical activity. If you are unsure if this applies to you, contact your Support Centre (or Henley Helpdesk / ISLI Admin Office). We understand that this will be disappointing to those who were looking forward to a return to face-to-face teaching.

Your academic timetable for the summer term is live on CMISGo. Edits have been made to reflect the new government guidance and is available on your Outlook calendars and the new UoR student app by Friday 16 April. Please check your timetable each day to keep up to date with any changes which are made.

Students with online only teaching are encouraged by government to remain at your current address if possible. However, in addition to returning for face-to-face teaching, government guidance also says you may wish to consider returning for other reasons, for example:

international students who cannot amend their travel plans
if you do not have facilities to continue your studies online at your vacation address
for health and safety reasons
to continue to access specialist medical or mental health services.

As we have previously informed you, most exams will be online this summer, with a very small number of exceptions where in-person assessment is necessary (if you have timetabled in-person exams you can travel to campus).

If you have any questions or concerns about how this affects your modules, or your studies this year more generally, speak to your Module Convenor, Academic Tutor, or SDTL.

Support

We continue to provide academic support through lecturer office hours, individual or small group support from Academic Tutors and our Study Advice Team, complemented by our range of specialist welfare support services accessible both on campus and remotely.

Accessing online interactive sessions

Please check each of your modules on Blackboard to find detailed information about all of your learning and activities. You can view your timetable in CMISGo and on your Outlook calendar. Live, online activities highlighted in grey are there for students who cannot attend on campus. You will need to attend at the scheduled time and these sessions will not be recorded, except in certain specific circumstances.

If you have any queries about how to access the online sessions, please contact your Module Convenor. Further information about all of your learning and activities within each of your modules is published on Blackboard and for more help with your timetable, please see our Essentials webpage.

You will need an internet connection and use of a computing device or tablet (relevant for your studies) in order to access online teaching materials required for your programme. We provide study facilities, including PC labs, on campus for you to use.

If you are worried about your financial situation preventing you from being able to access the technology you need, please speak to our Student Financial Support team.

Teaching and Learning support

You continue to be supported through our Academic Tutor System and we recommend you meet with your tutor at least once a term. This academic support is complemented by our range of specialist welfare support services (including Careers, Financial Support, Disability Advice, International Visa & Immigration Advice, Study Advice, and many more).

Our Library is open for Click & Collect and study space. You will need to book study space in advance and our system will allow you to choose your preferred type of space, subject to availability, including PCs, booths and armchairs. The Library offers a huge range of resources – both online and printed. Each subject has a dedicated Academic Liaison Librarian who can guide you to the best materials to support your studies.

Our Study Advice service is for everyone who wants to improve their academic work – whether that’s advice on raising the standard of your work, approaching your first assignment or managing your time more effectively. To learn more, visit the Study Advice webpage.

The Library also offers additional help with any maths queries relating to your course. Find out more about the Maths Support team on their webpage.

Assessment and exams

Much of our coursework and other in-year assessment for 2020/21 can be completed in your current location (whether on campus or remotely) and therefore the majority of assessments will remain unchanged for this term and the original deadlines set should be adhered to. Your School will be in touch in those cases where specific changes are required. If you have questions about your individual modules, please contact your Module Convenor to find out more specific information.

Please see further information about exams and assessments in 2020/21 and our assessment support package.

Frequently asked questions:

Can I study remotely for the rest of the 2020/21 academic year?

The majority of undergraduate and taught postgraduate students will be able to complete the 2020/21 academic year remotely, without needing to come to campus. This is with the exception of students enrolled on programmes with placement, practical or studio elements who need to participate in these activities to meet their programme learning outcomes. If you are unsure if this applies to you, please speak to your School Director for Teaching & Learning (SDTL) or Support Centre (or Henley Helpdesk / ISLI Admin Office).

Most exams will be online this summer, with a very small number of exceptions where in-person assessment is necessary. Your School will let you know if this applies to you. If you have any queries about your exams, please contact take-home-exams@reading.ac.uk.

What support is available for online learning?

Our Study Advice team offer one-to-one study advice, drop-in sessions, appointments with an Academic Liaison Librarian, webinars and have a number of guides available to support you including:

• Study Advice guides
• Accessing e-resources
• Key resources for your subject
• Maths support
• Exams information and past papers
• Working in groups online

You can also access IT Support like Digital Technology systems information and our Student IT Guide 2020-21.

Will there be any reduction in tuition fees for 2020/21?

We are not offering a reduction in tuition fees for the 2020/21 academic year.

We are taking every reasonable step to mitigate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on your university experience. We are continuing to support you to work towards your academic goals as planned and provide you with a quality learning experience, while putting the necessary measures in place to protect your health and wellbeing and to adapt to changes to the law and government guidance.

In the autumn term our blended learning environment combined face-to-face interactive sessions and online core programme content. Although we have been instructed to move most teaching online for much of the spring and summer terms, we have continued to provide planned programme content and to work hard to put in place appropriate alternatives to planned face-to-face teaching provision. Where it has been permitted to do so, we have continued to safely deliver practical sessions for relevant subjects, as well as providing opportunities such as placements.

Please rest assured that we are committed to ensuring you have access to high quality programme content, alongside interactive sessions to develop and apply your knowledge and understanding with academic staff and your peers.

All students continue to be closely supported through their Schools, with regular Academic Tutor meetings and by our wider network of specialist support services, which are available online and in person where it is legal and safe to do so. We are confident that this flexible approach will enable you to continue your studies with minimal disruption.

Facilities have also remained available on campus to the greatest extent possible while adhering to government requirements, including the Library, study space and catering. We are continuing to work closely with the Reading University Students Union (RUSU), who are offering a range of events and activities to enhance your student experience, online and on campus, where permitted.

In order to provide students with the teaching and support they need, and aware that some students are facing financial challenges as a result of COVID-19, we have also made additional investments in areas such as the new COVID-19 support teams, Student Support Funds and Hall fee waivers.

If you have concerns about the level of teaching or support you have received, speak to your Module Convenor or Academic Tutor in the first instance, to hopefully resolve this.

If you have any outstanding concerns about your provision from the University during the 2020/21 academic year, you can access the complaints process.

Can I travel home for the Easter vacation?

Following the government’s announcement about the summer term, you should stay at your current address and continue your studies remotely. If your School has confirmed that you have face-to-face activities on campus, you can return to your term-time address in Reading once before 29 April for the summer term, although you should not move back and forth between addresses during the term. Students living in Halls should use the Home at Halls app or Halls Hotline to confirm your intended arrival date.

Students with online only teaching are encouraged by government to remain at your current address if possible. However, in addition to returning for face-to-face teaching, government guidance also says you may wish to consider returning for other reasons, for example:

• international students who cannot amend their travel plans
• if you do not have facilities to continue your studies online at your vacation address
• for health and safety reasons
• to continue to access specialist medical or mental health services.

If you decide to travel, you should read our information on testing for COVID-19. You should follow all government advice about travelling safely, whether that’s in a private vehicle or public transport.

Students who live overseas and plan to travel home must also follow the rules about travelling out of England.