From Professor Richard Reece, Deputy Vice-Chancellor Education and Student Experience.

Dear Student,

I am writing to you following yesterday’s announcement by the Prime Minister that we are now in a third national lockdown, and to update you on our current position.

Unlike the second lockdown in November, universities have been asked to pause face-to-face teaching during this time apart from to those on medicine, pharmacy or social work courses.

As a result, all our teaching will be delivered online until the end of February unless you are studying on one of the above courses. The start of term remains 18 January 2021.

You should follow Government guidance and not move between your home and term-time addresses. Unless you are already living on campus, please do not come onto campus until you hear from the University that it is possible to do so. We will continue to support you and your studies no matter where you are.

If you have University accommodation which you are currently not able to access due to these latest Government restrictions, please be aware that we are looking into the implications of this situation and will update you over the next few weeks.

If you are already living on campus, the Government has recommended that you stay in your University accommodation and has stressed that university campuses are regarded as COVID-safe. Library and catering facilities will remain available.

This announcement supersedes all previous arrangements. I apologise for any confusion this may cause but, as you will appreciate, we are in a rapidly changing environment.

I will continue to keep in touch over the next few weeks and we will update the website with new information as it becomes available.

If you have not already done so, please sign up for tomorrow’s (6 January 2021) Web Chat during which we will answer your questions about these latest changes as well as any others about the Spring term. The booking form is now open so please do sign up.

Our priority remains to keep you and our community safe while still providing the highest quality teaching and student experience.

We know that this is a worrying time, and we are here to support and advise you wherever you may be. If you have any concerns or queries, please check our student Coronavirus webpages or email CovidSupport@kent.ac.uk and we will respond as soon as possible.

My very best wishes to you, your friends and your family.

Richard

Professor Richard Reece | Deputy Vice-Chancellor Education and Student Experience