University of Portsmouth delays start of academic year over coronavirus concerns

Students were due to return to the University of Portsmouth on Monday September 14 but this has now been moved back by three weeks to Monday October 5.

The university’s vice chancellor, Professor Graham Galbraith, said: ‘In response to the uncertainties associated with the coronavirus pandemic, we are slightly delaying the time when we welcome students to start their academic year.

‘Our September teaching block will now start on Monday, October 5, which will give more time for the effects of the pandemic to lessen and staff and students’ greater time to prepare for the start of the new academic year. It also gives us time to prepare the campus for working and studying in a safe and appropriate environment that meet government guidelines.’

The university have confirmed the delayed start will not affect the amount of hours of education students will receive.

Professor Galbraith added: ‘While we are delaying the start of the year by three weeks, we have adjusted the academic calendar to ensure students continue to receive the full amount of teaching for their course.

‘We have decided to reduce the Easter break from three weeks to two and we will reduce the time between the end of exams and the meeting of examination boards by one week. This means teaching blocks continue to be the appropriate length to provide the full educational experience our students deserve.’

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The vice-chancellor added that a small number of subject areas which “do not follow normal standard term delivery” will make their own individual arrangements for courses to commence. While teaching and accommodation plans have not yet been unveiled, staff at the university are currently working to mitigate the risks of cornavirus transmissions when students return.

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