All teaching and assessment is being provided online for the rest of the academic year, other than in some exceptional circumstances where this is not possible. Your School will provide specific information about these arrangements.
There will be no in-person exams held on campus during the summer term. The vast majority of these exams will still take place but as ‘take home exams’ – which will be made available to you electronically and submitted online – or another form of assessment. This will allow you to receive the credit for your learning and hard work this year, from where you are. Further information is provided below.
Latest government advice
The Minister for Universities, Michelle Donelan, wrote to all universities on 26 March advising that, in line with the strict new government restrictions, students who have not yet returned home are advised not to travel. Whether you are living in Halls or private accommodation, the government advice is that you remain there and stay indoors while the current restrictions are in place.
For welfare and safety reasons, we need to know who is remaining in Halls. Please let us know as soon as possible by completing the staying on in Halls form.
If you have already travelled home, you must let us know by completing the online departure form.
All students in the UK must follow the UK government’s guidance to stay at home. From 23 March the government introduced three new measures:
- Requiring people to stay at home, except for very limited purposes
- Closing non-essential shops and community spaces
- Stopping all gatherings of more than two people in public
Please read the full guidance online.
You can still spend time with people in your household but you cannot join together with groups of other friends or relatives who do not live with you for any purpose.
Within halls of residence, this means you can continue to interact with those who live in your flat but you cannot move about and socialise with others from within your building or other Halls.
You should continue with the recommended hygiene precautions: regular handwashing with soap and water, avoiding touching your face, and coughing and sneezing into a tissue and disposing of it as soon as possible. It is also important to remember that most people who are infected experience a mild form of the virus. If you are concerned about a health condition that may make you more vulnerable, please use the online NHS coronavirus service.
Health advice
The National Health Service advice is that you must self-isolate if you have symptoms of coronavirus or if you live with someone who does. These symptoms are to stay at home if you have either:
- a high temperature;
- a new continuous cough.
It also advises that:
- if you have symptoms, stay home for 7 days;
- if you live with other people, they should stay at home for 14 days from the day the first person got symptoms;
- if you live with someone who is over 70 or over, has a long-term condition, is pregnant or has weakened immune system, try to find somewhere else for them to stay for 14 days.
The government has also issued practical advice for managing self-isolation. For the protection of our whole community, on campus and beyond, it is our expectation that all our students will abide by this guidance.
If you are remaining in Reading and need to self-isolate in Halls under government or medical advice, please complete an online self-isolation form.
If you are diagnosed with COVID-19, please let us know using our online form.
Please use the NHS 111 online coronavirus service if:
- you feel you cannot cope with your symptoms at home;
- your condition gets worse;
- your symptoms do not get better after 7 days.
Please remember our Student Welfare Team is also here to offer support, including by phone and email.
If you would like any further advice or guidance, please contact us by email at coronavirus-students@reading.ac.uk.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I speak to someone if the situation has caused me financial difficulties?
Can I travel for University activity as part of my studies?
How will i be supported by my Academic Tutor?
I am an international student on a Tier 4 visa. Are there any implications that I should be aware of?
Is there any advice if I am affected by the current travel restrictions, and my UK visa or leave to remain is about to expire?
Is there any specific advice for postgraduate research students?
Should I wear a face mask? Should I use hand sanitiser?
What is a Take Home exam?
What is happening with exams this year?
What is the University doing to minimise risk?
What services are open on campus?
What should I do if I am currently overseas on a placement?
What should I do if I have personal plans to travel overseas?
What should I do if I have symptoms and need to stay home?
What should I do if my academic performance has been impacted?
What support is available from the Library?
Where can I find further advice if I’m worried?
Will I still be liable to pay Halls accommodation fees?
Will summer Graduation ceremonies still take place?
Will the University offer compensation for disruption as a result of COVID-19?