As we get closer to the start of the new academic year we know many of you are wondering what to expect when it comes to your student experience and your teaching and learning. We are very pleased to announce that we’re planning to return to face-to-face teaching for small group sessions wherever possible as long as we can provide classroom environments that keep our students and staff safe. This will mean as many face-to-face seminars as possible to help ensure that you will see your classmates in and around campus regularly.

We know that the student experience isn’t all about teaching and learning, and so we’re also working to make sure there will be a range of events, both online and on campus, over the next academic year. This will start with a very exciting face-to-face Welcome Week run by the Student Experience team – last year’s highlights included mini golf and other games so keep an eye on your inbox if you’re a first-year student joining us in September.

One of the biggest things we’ve learnt over the last 18 months is how flexible we need to be as a small institution and we’re committing to keeping the best of some of our offerings online, even when we return to campus for teaching. For example, we’ve got some fantastic Talent Development sessions planned in September, which will take place online to give you the flexibility to join from wherever you are. These will also give you access to a range of speakers, including ones from overseas, that we wouldn’t always be able to have if it was an on-campus event.

You will know as well as us that things may change at short notice because of the pandemic, but we can assure you that we have the infrastructure to provide access to industry and work experience both in person and remotely. We’re ready for whatever comes, with back up plans in place to ensure that no matter the situation, your teaching and learning will go ahead with as little disruption as possible.

Our Summer term students are back on campus already and your tutors are looking forward to seeing many more of you when the Autumn term begins!