University Centre Sparsholt (UCS) is now able to share its plans for the start of the new academic year starting in September 2020. Following the guidance provided by Public Health England, the Office for Students and using feedback from a survey completed by our current progressing students, we have decided to delay the start of term by one week. This enables us to provide a phased return for all our students and provide the confidence they will be safe in their studies. We will extend the end of the autumn term by one week so that everyone will still receive the same amount of teaching.
The new term dates for all 1st year students (with the exception of Veterinary Nursing Science) are:
Monday 21 September to Wednesday 16 December 2020
The new term dates for all 2nd and 3rd year students are:
Monday 28 September to Friday 18 December 2020
The new term dates for all MSc students are:
Thursday 1 October to Friday 18 December 2020
(Reading week is unchanged 26.10.20-30.10.20)
With the safety of our community at the foremost in our thinking, the UCS campus will be open to start welcoming students from the start of term on Monday 21 September with the appropriate safety measures in place based on the latest UK government guidance on social distancing and relevant use of PPE.
Due to anticipated restrictions necessitated by social distancing, UCS will be introducing a ‘blended and personalised’ approach to teaching, learning and assessment for the start of the autumn term.
Current students told UCS that their main concerns are the importance of face-to-face contact with staff and peers for support, motivation and wellbeing, the access to practical facilities and resources and the desire to continue to study in a safe environment.
Some students have stated that they do not feel comfortable to return to the campus, for a range of reasons until the pandemic is less of a threat but wish to continue to study remotely.
UCS’s aim is to provide an experience which meets the needs of our student community and continue to provide the TEF Gold teaching, learning and assessment for which UCS is recognised.
If students or applicants wish to discuss this further or have any concerns about their programme of study for next year, should contact degree-enquiries@sparsholt.ac.uk or directly to their course tutor.
Please be assured of our best attention at all times. We remain committed to providing a rich and varied Higher Education experience at University Centre Sparsholt and look forward to welcoming new and returning students in September.