Autumn term 2020

How we're preparing for autumn 2020

Whether you’re joining us as a new student or returning to continue your studies, we’re dedicated to providing you with an excellent student experience. We will:

• prioritise your safety both on and off campus
• provide engaging, inspiring and supportive learning
• create opportunities for you to socialise, meet people and try out new experiences
• welcome you into a supportive, collegial community where nothing is more important than your education and wellbeing.

At the start of the pandemic we established a Covid-19 Management Group, led by members of the University Executive Board, and our staff have been working hard throughout to prepare contingency plans and manage any precautions we all may have to take as the situation evolves.

We're closely following the latest advice and guidance issued by the UK government, Public Health England and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. We will continue to take all appropriate and necessary steps, as required by the official advice, to keep our community safe.

We want to reassure you that we are doing all we can to plan for all possible circumstances, and as the situation changes we will keep you updated with any further action you may need to take.

Learning and teaching

We've adapted our teaching to make sure you continue to receive a world-class education from our teachers.

How you’ll be taught

You’ll be taught through a blend of face-to-face teaching and digital delivery in small groups in Sheffield, where social distancing can be maintained.

All programmes will include an element of face-to-face teaching, although the amount and frequency will vary depending on the discipline. Your department will provide further detail about what this will be like for you.

In the autumn term, large lectures will be delivered solely online.

Laboratories, studios, clinical spaces and practical areas will be open and social distancing measures will be in place.

Timetables

 Your timetable will be provided during induction week and will include details of both on-campus and online classes so that you can plan your time effectively.

The timetable is being prepared to ensure that you can move between classes in the safest possible way and to support social distancing.

To enable this, we will be temporarily extending the teaching day in the autumn semester:

• Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays: 8am to 8pm teaching day
• Wednesdays: 8am to 1pm for undergraduates, afternoons can be used for postgraduate taught teaching as usual
• Fridays: 8am to 6pm teaching day

Your academic department will aim to complete face-to-face teaching activity in the current timetabling slots (9am to 6pm), only using the extended hours where needed.

Exams

All formal invigilated exams in the autumn term will be replaced by online forms of assessment. You will not be required to be on campus for final assessments.

Study abroad

If you are registered on a programme with study abroad in the 2020–21 academic year as a mandatory and integral part of your course, then this may continue, subject to risk assessment (including Foreign Office travel advice) and restrictions in place at your host university. You should liaise with your department about the necessary travel arrangements.

Optional study abroad and international placements are cancelled for semester one. Your department will advise you of alternative arrangements as soon as possible.

Libraries

Access to the Information Commons and Western Bank Library will be available through bookable slots from Monday 28 September, 9.30am-4.30pm, Monday to Friday. 

You must wear a face covering in our libraries, unless you are exempt due to a medical reason or a disability. 

Where possible, we encourage you to chat with us online via Live Chat, or email: library@sheffield.ac.uk. Library staff will be also available at reception points for help.

The University's extensive digital library is open as usual. Our online service has almost a million ebooks and over 60,000 journal titles along with a virtual library team and specialist librarians ready to support you to ensure your studies are unaffected as much as possible.

Information on the University Library

 

A safe campus

Our top priority is always the health and safety of students, staff and our University community. We are closely following the latest advice to make our University a safe place to live and study. 

Our safety guidance page explains how we’re keeping our campus safe and what to do if you have symptoms.

Student support

Nothing is more important to us than your health and wellbeing. We’re continuing to provide an extensive range of support services so you can get on with doing what you do best.

All our student support services will remain available online until it is safe to open in person. You can find out more on our support services page, including information about our on-campus University Health Service.

The Sheffield experience

We’re focused on continuing to provide our students with an outstanding student experience.

Welcome programme

Welcome 2020

No matter when you arrive our Welcome Term will help you discover all we have to offer and help you feel at home.

Welcome to Sheffield: information to help you settle in

Orientation 2020

Orientation 2020 is a programme of events, information sessions and community-building activities to help you settle in quickly to your new life in Sheffield.

Orientation 2020 is taking place online during both our September and October arrival periods. 

All activities are open to all students, and you can take part in sessions at any time, regardless of your level of study or start date. 

Orientation: get involved 

Retail

Subject to changing guidance, shops, bars and restaurants are open in Sheffield. Safety measures are in place at establishments to ensure social distancing.

For more information, visit the Make Yourself at Home web page.