University of Exeter yet to confirm plans for teaching next year
A spokesperson for the University has said that lectures in September will be “delivered online or developed into guided online resources supported by face-to-face teaching” in a statement issued in response the COVID-19 pandemic. The statement did not specify how long online teaching methods will be in place for.
The statement, issued to media outlets in response to queries, outlines the University’s latest position on teaching in the autumn term but more detail will be given in an email to students from Sir Steve Smith, the University’s Vice Chancellor, next week.
The University spokesperson revealed that it is “likely” a restriction on class size numbers will be enforced and to expect a “blend of online teaching, online independent learning and, when safe, campus teaching.” The University plans to open campuses at the start of the autumn term if safe to do so.
It is anticipated some international students may be unable to return to Exeter in September and the University are striving to “provide flexibility” to allow them to join later in the year.
expect a “blend of online teaching, online independent learning and, when safe, campus teaching”
Universities have come under pressure to release their plans for the next academic year following the University of Cambridge’s statement earlier this week, disclosing that their students will receive no face-to-face teaching in the coming year.
Exeter maintains that regardless of the nature of teaching next year, their main priority is to “provide students with the best possible opportunity to learn and thrive.”
Another spokesperson for the University has today acknowledged that there is “some incorrect reporting of our plans for the Autumn term,” and encourages students to read the issued statement in full.
Read the full statement from the University of Exeter below:
“Our aim is to welcome as many new and returning students to the University of Exeter campuses as possible for the start of the autumn term. As long as it is safe to do so and with protective measures in place, we will open our campuses and enable access to facilities and face to face teaching combined with online learning. We anticipate that some international students will need to join us later or at the start of January and we are working hard to provide that flexibility.
“The top priority will be the safety and wellbeing of our students, staff and wider community and given the current Covid-19 situation it is likely that there will be restrictions on class size numbers and a need to offer a blend of online teaching, online independent learning and, when safe, on campus teaching. Lectures will be delivered online or developed into guided online resources supported by face-to-face teaching in a safe environment.
“In learning and teaching, we are planning for flexibility and for resilience in our approach so that whatever the year brings we will provide students with the best possible opportunity to learn and thrive. We are making a major investment in digital learning and all programmes will be based on evidence and our rich experience of what works. We will provide students and applicants with more detail on our vision for teaching and learning in the weeks ahead.”