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Coronavirus Covid-19 – Information for our students

Posted Wednesday 15 July 2020

Coronavirus Covid-19 – Information for our students

The University has been working hard to support our students' academic and personal needs throughout the coronavirus pandemic in line with the latest government and Public Health England advice. The health, wellbeing and safety of all our students and staff remains our top priority.

Arrangements for September

When does the University open?

The University has been available to staff and students since the start of lockdown via remote access to all our services.

For the start of term in September:

  • Our campuses will be open, with measures in place to ensure everyone's safety, such as social distancing, controlled access and increased cleaning.
  • Lectures will likely remain online for some time but there will be access to campus for smaller group learning, practical working – such as studio and lab-based work – and using the libraries. Regardless of the course you are studying, you will have the opportunity to engage in activities on campus in addition to the teaching and learning online.
  • We are also working to ensure that those students who are unable to take part in the on-campus activities are not disadvantaged in their studies.
  • Your learning will be enhanced with digital provision, giving a blended approach to your time at Kingston University.
  • You will continue to get personal support from your lecturers, and benefit from the university support services, such as finance, healthcare and faith services.

When does term start?

  • Induction week for new students: Monday 14 September 2020 to Friday 18 September 2020
  • Teaching block 1: Begins Monday 21 September 2020

How will I be taught?

Lectures will likely remain online for some time but there will be access to campus for smaller group learning, practical working – such as studio and lab-based work – and using the libraries. Regardless of the course you are studying, you will have the opportunity to engage in activities on campus in addition to the teaching and learning online. We are also working to ensure that those students who are unable to take part in the on-campus activities arev not disadvantaged in their studies.

Your learning will be enhanced with digital provision, giving a blended approach to your time at Kingston University.

You will continue to get personal support from your lecturers, and benefit from the university support services, such as finance, healthcare and faith services.

We want to ensure that you have a supportive, inclusive and high-quality learning experience that Kingston is proud to deliver and we are putting a number of measures in place to provide you with this.

The whole University is focused on making sure you receive an excellent education and a fulfilling experience.

Read an email message from our Vice-Chancellor to all students.

How will the practical aspects of my course be taught?

While lectures will likely remain online for some time, there will be access to campus for practical working, such as studio and lab-based work.

What safety measures are being put in place to protect students and staff on campus?

Keeping our University community safe and well has been our absolute priority since the emergence of Covid-19, and will continue to be as we start the new academic year. Our campuses will have measures in place to ensure everyone's safety, such as social distancing, controlled access and increased cleaning.

Please be assured that we will take all the necessary steps to ensure a safe study and work environment.

Will the libraries be open?

There will be access to campus for using the libraries. Your learning will be enhanced with digital provision, giving a blended approach to your time at Kingston.

Our campuses will have measures in place to ensure everyone's safety, such as social distancing, controlled access and increased cleaning.

What support will be available to me?

You will get personal support from your lecturers, and benefit from the university support services, such as finance, healthcare and faith services.

You can find out more about the support we offer in our guide to health and wellbeing during the outbreak.

My course has a placement year. Will that still take place?

Placements are being reviewed for the next academic year while we work with government guidance and with the health and safety of our students as a top priority.

We will need to remain flexible to respond to the changing situation to decide any changes that may be required to our placements.

Phased return to campus before September

Your safety is our priority. This is why we are piloting a phased return to campus for some groups over the summer, in line with the evolving public health guidelines to protect your health, safety and wellbeing. It is important that we accommodate this in a managed way that does not put you or our staff at risk. Initially, we will only be reopening some sites for a group of students studying Masters and Doctoral programmes, and research staff.

Postgraduate students
To help us resume some on-campus activity in a safe and considered way, we will manage access to some buildings over the summer for particular groups. Initially, we will reopen some labs and workshops for a small group of students studying Masters and Doctoral programmes, and research staff. We will also allow all postgraduate students access to the libraries at Town House and Knights Park. Postgraduate students who are contacted will then need to book time in labs, workshops and in the libraries, and we will email you further details.

Useful guides for students

We have produced two online guides for our students to help them look after themselves find further help or advice.

The University is continuing to closely monitor developments and take necessary action in line with the latest government advice, along with guidance from Public Health England (PHE) and NHS England. We are committed to providing our students with the best learning experience possible in these unprecedented times.

Keeping in touch

We are emailing our students about key developments and with round-ups and posting regular updates on our My Kingston student intranet. We have produced a set of online resources to help our students access support and get the best out of learning remotely and outlining the health and wellbeing services they can access.

Contacting us for more information

Students who have queries about their particular circumstances can access specialist advice by getting in touch with the StudentHUB team. The StudentHUB can connect them with specialist advisers able to provide information about such topics as accommodation, money and finance, and health and wellbeing.

Contact us

General enquiries:

Journalists only:

  • Communications team
    Tel: +44 (0)20 8417 3034
    Email us