COVID-19

The University will have a phased return to blended teaching and learning (online and on-campus) for some of our students. On-campus teaching and access to specialist facilities will resume for students on certain courses on the dates stated below. All students need to have two COVID-19 tests before they can resume any on-campus teaching and learning, so we have staggered the return to ensure there is capacity for testing.

From 8 March
Level 6 and 7 students in art, design, music and performing arts, film, television and creative media, and some programmes in the School of Sciences. Research students who need access to specialist facilities can also do so from this date but will be advised to contact their supervisor first.

From 15 March
Level 0, 4 and 5 students in art, design, music and performing arts, film, television and creative media, and some programmes in the School of Sciences.

This infographic shows the phased return.

Students in art, design, music and performing arts, film, television and creative media, and some programmes in the School of Sciences can currently access study spaces on campus. Research students who need access to facilities can also come to campus.

We are waiting for guidance from the Government about when all other students will be able to access on-campus teaching and learning facilities and study spaces.

Bookable Study Seats are available at Newton Park Library. 'Click and Collect' items can also be picked up from Newton Park Library and Locksbrook during opening hours.

Students in art, design, music and performing arts, film, television and creative media, and some programmes in the School of Sciences can currently access study spaces on campus. Research students who need access to facilities can also come to campus.

We are waiting for guidance from the Government about when all other students will be able to access on-campus teaching and learning facilities and study spaces.

If you need to collect your work or personal equipment, please contact your course tutor who will organise a time with the Estates Department for you to collect your work. Please do not come to any campus unless you have previously agreed a time to do so.

Catering outlets are closed, but University Catering offers a daily delivery and ‘click and collect’ service via the ‘Meet, Drink, Eat’ app from 8:30am-4:30pm Monday- Thursday and 8:30am-4:00pm on Friday. Please note that timings and menus are subject to change so please check the app when you order.

Menus

Online Ordering Postcard

The U5 is running and you can check timetables on the First website.The shuttle bus between Sion Hill and Locksbrook Campus will resume from 12 April. It will also make an additional stop at Green Park.

The University is offering a full rebate for the period 4 January to 12 April 2021 to students who are not able to live in their university-managed accommodation due to the Government COVID-19 restrictions. All students with rental contracts with the University have been contacted to confirm if they are eligible for a refund.

If you are a student living in Unite student accommodation, please contact them directly about the rebate they are offering. The University is working with the Students’ Union to encourage private landlords to make similar concessions.

You are strongly advised to access a LFT. If you choose not to, it is recommended that you isolate for 10 days and limit contact with others in your household. Information about how you can access a test is on the COVID-19 testing page.

Staff should work from home if they are able to do so unless they are required to work on campus, please check this with your line manager.

You should immediately return to where you are living and self-isolate. You must contact NHS Test and Trace and inform the University - this is really important as we are here to support you and your household.

If you have symptoms of COVID-19, the University’s Covid Response Team can deliver a COVID-19 PCR test to you and collect it, so you do not need to travel to a test centre. You can request one by completing this form.

Yes, we will continue to support students who are self-isolating and information about that can be found under Support for students in halls.

The Students’ Union Shop and Bar and Kitchen at Newton Park is open and the new opening times are:

• Shop: Monday-Friday 10am to 4pm
• Bar and Kitchen: Monday-Friday 12noon to 11pm (food served 12noon to 6pm)

All clubs and societies are continuing to run, but unfortunately will not be able to run in person activities under the current restrictions. SU officers, clubs and societies are continuing to develop online resources and activities. Information can be found on the SU website and Social Space.

Oak Tree Nursery is remaining open for a reduced number of days and parents have been notified of the details of this.

You may return to university if you do not have access to appropriate alternative accommodation, facilities or studying space, or you need to return for health or safety reasons.

Unless you are on one of the courses allowed to resume blended teaching and learning (art, design, music and performing arts, film, television and creative media, and some programmes in the School of Sciences, as well as research students who need access to specialist facilities), you should stay where you are until a decision is made on when further students can return return. The Government should announce this decision by the end of the Easter holidays and the University will confirm this with students shortly after.

If you have already booked travel, but you are not on a course permitted to resume blended learning, you should consider delaying if those travel arrangements can be rearranged without undue costs.

New EU and international students are able to commence a course by distance learning from outside the UK without a visa, and do not require sponsorship under the Student route while they are studying outside the UK. You should be aware that visa concessions allow for the ongoing provision of online learning for the duration of the academic year 2020-21.

If you are on one of the courses allowed to resume blended teaching and learning, and are making travel plans to come to the UK to study, you should:

• Check additional entry requirements and restrictions that have been introduced due to coronavirus (COVID-19) before travelling to the UK, including whether the country you are travelling from is on the UK’s red list - see GOV.UK for more information
• Be aware that there are additional steps you may need to consider and carry out if you require a visa to start/continue your studies. Please contact the Immigration Advice Service immigrationadvice@bathspa.ac.uk, and we will be able to provide you with the necessary information and support.
• Once you have travel plans in place, please notify the University by emailing covid@bathspa.ac.uk so that we can prepare for your arrival.

Lecturers are extremely busy adapting to the new lockdown requirements and many will also have childcare or other responsibilities to deal with, so please be patient.

If you need urgent assistance or if your lecturer does not reply within two working days please contact your course administrator, course leader or Head of School.

The Bath Spa University Access Fund provides limited discretionary financial support for students who are experiencing financial difficulty and are unable to meet basic or unexpected additional costs from other sources of support.

The Office for Students (OfS) has some further information.

If you are on one of the courses allowed to resume blended teaching and learning, and are making travel plans to come to the UK to study, you should:

• Check additional entry requirements and restrictions that have been introduced due to coronavirus (COVID-19) before travelling to the UK, including whether the country you are travelling from is on the UK’s red list - see GOV.UK for more information.
• Be aware that there are additional steps you may need to consider and carry out if you require a visa to start/continue your studies. Please contact the Immigration Advice Service immigrationadvice@bathspa.ac.uk, and we will be able to provide you with the necessary information and support.
• Once you have travel plans in place, please notify the University by emailing covid@bathspa.ac.uk so that we can prepare for your arrival.

You should be aware that all inbound travellers to the UK (including international and domestic students) will have to take a COVID-19 test up to three days before departure and provide evidence of a negative result before you travel. All international arrivals will be required to complete a passenger locator form on arrival.

You should also be aware that everyone must book a travel test package before travelling to the UK – this costs £210. You must take a COVID-19 test on or before day 2 after you arrive for variant surveillance and a test on or after day 8 to check that you do not have COVID-19. This can be booked using the travel package booking portal.

The UK has introduced travel bans for arrivals from some countries (otherwise referred to as ‘red list’ countries) as part of measures taken to protect the UK from new strands of COVID-19. You should check the list of 'red list’ countries that will be regularly updated and can be found on GOV.UK.

British and Irish nationals, or third country nationals with residence rights (e.g. students) in the UK, will still able to enter the UK if they have been in, or transited through, a 'red list’ country in the last 10 days, but they will be required to quarantine in a managed quarantine hotel on arrival for 10 days without exception. Residence rights include those with an entry clearance/visa that grants such leave, for example students, holders of existing leave to enter or remain e.g. those students with biometric residence permits, and holders of EU Settlement Scheme ('EUSS') leave.

The costs of quarantining in a hotel will be borne by the traveller and are currently set at £1,750. See more information on quarantine hotels.

You cannot use the Test to Release scheme if you have been in or through a ‘red list’ country in the 10 days before you arrive in England.

If you have not been in or transited through a red list country for 10 days you should self-isolate immediately in your own accommodation for 10 days.
You will need to take a COVID-19 test on or before day 2 of your quarantine period. The day of arrival in England will be treated as day zero. This first test is designed to help identify any potentially harmful variants of COVID-19 at the earliest opportunity. Tests will be taken in your own accommodation. There is more information available on GOV.UK.

International arrivals from countries not on the red list have the option to reduce their self-isolation period by taking a coronavirus (COVID-19) test from a private testing provider five full days after arriving in England, with a negative result releasing them from the need to self-isolate. More information on the Test to Release Scheme.

If you are planning to use the Test to Release scheme, you should be aware that you must still take a test on or before day 2 and on or after day 8, unless you’re exempt. Even if you get a negative result from Test to Release and are released from self-isolation, you will still need to take a test on or after day 8 to check that you do not have COVID-19.

Further immigration and travel FAQ’s can be found on the UKCISA website.

The most important symptoms of COVID-19 are recent onset of any of the following:

• A new continuous cough
• A high temperature
• A loss of, or change in, your normal sense of taste or smell

For most people, COVID-19 will be a mild illness. However, if you have any of the symptoms above you must stay at home and arrange to have a test to see if you have COVID-19.

To ensure your health and safety and the health and safety of others, we ask you to do the following:

1. Keep your distance
   Please maintain social distancing both inside and outside on campus. Observe the signs and one-way systems in buildings.
2. Wear a face covering
   We require you to wear a face covering when you are inside buildings on campus, unless you are unable to because of a medical condition, disability or trauma.
3. Clean your hands
   Please wash your hands regularly and make use of the new hand sanitiser stations at the entrances and inside buildings on campus.

We are conscious of the need to encourage our students and staff alike to behave respectfully towards one another and members of our community. To ensure we can protect our health and safety and the health and safety of others, we are asking everyone to commit to the Bath Spa Community Pledge. We hope the Pledge reinforces the core values of our University and reminds us all of our responsibilities to be good and respectful citizens.

A general risk assessment for the University has been carried out and published.

You might be worried about COVID-19 and how it could affect your life. We have found a number of resources which you may find helpful, including how to take care of your mental health and wellbeing if you need to stay at home or avoid other people.

• MIND: Coronavirus and your wellbeing
• Mental Health Foundation: Looking After Your Mental Health During Coronavirus Outbreak
• Student Minds: Coronavirus Resources
• Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership Trust – 0300 303 1320
• The Compassionate Communities Hub – 0300 247 0050
• Bath Mind Breathing Space – 01225 983130 and breathingspace@bathmind.org.uk
• Digital platforms - Fika, Togetherall and Shout – available to staff and students
• WHO 'coping with stress during the 2019-nCov outbreak'

Our Employee Assistance Provider, Lifeworks, has lots of useful articles on looking after health and welfare. A summary of high level issues is provided below:

• Protecting your wellbeing during the COVID-19 outbreak (infographic)

For more specific advice and guidance, please use their online resources using the following login details:

• User ID: bathspa
• Password: wellbeing

Each module in Minerva has been enhanced with a Virtual Classroom, you will find a link for this on the left menu above Unitu. The Virtual Classroom uses Blackboard Collaborate; guidance can be found on their website.

You may also be asked to join in sessions and have 1:1 tutorials with tutors using Google Hangouts Meet. Google has a really simple guide to getting connected that will walk you through how to join a meeting if you haven’t done this before. You may get a link in an email, or in your Google calendar. Don’t share links, you may end up in the wrong tutorial!
If you are not able to attend online for a session let the member of staff know in advance so that they can record the session to enable you to review it later on.

When you're working online adopt the same thinking you would if you were meeting face-to-face (you wouldn’t come to a tutorial in your pjs!). If you're using a webcam, check the background before you go online. Ideally, you should sit in front of a plain wall.

We require you to wear a face covering when you are inside buildings on campus, unless you are unable to because of a medical condition, disability or trauma. You should also maintain an appropriate social distance, both inside buildings and outside on campus.

If you are unable to wear a face covering because of a medical condition, disability or trauma, we invite you to wear an orange lanyard which you can collect from reception desk areas across campuses as well as the Students’ Union and security lodge at Newton Park. You can also request one by emailing studentwellbeing@bathspa.ac.uk

You must isolate immediately and inform the University. You can also request to have a PCR test delivered to your door by the University, please complete this form.

If you have reported to the University that you are self-isolating, we have plans in place to support you with food and other essentials. We can also give you specific guidance about cleaning, waste disposal, laundry and post collections and deliveries. If you are self-isolating and haven’t yet told us, please complete this form as soon as possible.

If you feel able to, try and speak to them about your concerns. Remind them of the Community Pledge and their responsibility to other people. If you don’t feel able to, please email covid@bathspa.ac.uk and your concerns will be discreetly and sensitively followed up.

When you move into your accommodation, your housemates become your household for the time you live with us. These are the people you will likely interact with the most each day. This household could include the other residents in your flat, or the people in your corridor (if you don’t live in a flat).

We want you to have the best experience you can and there is always someone you can speak with about any issues you are having.

If you are in University halls of residence, please contact accommodation@bathspa.ac.uk in the first instance. If you are in privately-rented or other private halls the options are different. Please get in touch with Accommodation Services and speak with one of the team.

Your Students’ Union Advice Centre can also provide impartial and expert advice, and can be contacted at su-advice@bathspa.ac.uk.

Visitor Policy (updated 28 September 2020) - Visitors are not currently permitted within our halls of residence (with the exception of where students are still moving in and arriving).

We are not planning to reduce any tuition fee because the University is open, teaching and supporting students both online and on campus. Students can also access the library, careers and support services. We are providing services as promised to students – just in a different way – which accommodates our need to protect their health at this time. We will also take into account any advice from the UK Government.

Due to health and safety measures you will need to use your own laptop or other device to undertake your studies this year. This means we can limit the sharing of equipment as much as possible.

We've identified a minimum laptop specification that will give you the basic functionality to complete your studies. Some courses may require a higher specification. If this is the case your course or subject leader will be able to advise you on the most suitable laptop for your course.

Windows

• Intel® 7thGen or newer CPU – or AMD equivalent (1.6GHz or faster)
• Microsoft Windows 10 (64-bit) version
• 8GB of RAM
• 250GB Hard Disk

(Additional storage may be required for large files)

Mac

• MacBook Air 13-inch
• 1.1GHz Dual-core Intel Core i3 Intel Processor
• OS X
• 8GB RAM
• 256GB Hard Disk

(Additional storage may be required for large files)

Bath Spa University is part of the Dell Advantage for Students programme, which means we can give you access to unique discounts on Dell consumer products all year round. Here's how:

1. Learn more. Visit the Dell Advantage for Students page.
2. Redeem your coupons by simply entering your University email address. Vouchers will be sent by email.
3. Visit Dell. Choose from either Home or Work products. For your saving to be applied, make sure you add your relevant discount code at the checkout.

If you are using a Mac, visit our Academia portal for discounted Higher Education rates on the Apple range.

If you don't have access to a PC, laptop, Mac or a suitable device on which to access the virtual University environment, including learning, teaching and services, we may be able to help by supporting you with a non-repayable award of up to £500 from the Bath Spa University Laptop Fund.

If you are tested for COVID-19 at any point please make sure you inform the University as soon as possible and complete this form. Please complete this same form to advise us of the outcome of this test and notify your line manager. If you have any questions about this please contact hrcontact@bathspa.ac.uk. 

All staff must complete a new online health and safety training ‘return to the workplace’.

All staff and students are required to wear face coverings when inside buildings including during all teaching sessions. We recognise that some staff may not be able to wear a face covering because of a medical condition, disability or trauma in which case you are invited to wear an orange lanyard. Some staff may need to wear specific PPE if it has been deemed necessary, following a risk assessment.

Clear face coverings are available to use in teaching and other student facing settings to allow easier communication.

You are not required to wear a face covering if you are:

• Outside and at a distance of two metres or more
• Inside working alone behind a Perspex screen
• Inside working alone in a single occupancy office.

Any staff with concerns should have a discussion with their line manager and, if necessary, complete an individual risk assessment so any necessary arrangements can be put in place.

We would encourage you and your line manager to be as flexible as possible and focus on the outcome of work, rather than working hours.

Staff may wish to consider taking some days of annual leave to focus on childcare, or could consider requesting to work shorter hours temporarily if this would help to reduce anxiety over the burden of both work and childcare.

Guidance and best practice is available on Sulis. There is also additional guidance for all staff on the Working from Home page.

We know that many staff may be approached by students with concerns about both their academic studies and their own health and wellbeing. Academic issues should be discussed with personal tutors, subject leaders and the Student Services team. Students can contact mycourse@bathspa.ac.uk if they want to refer their queries directly to that team.

If a student raises a wellbeing concern please ask them to follow the advice on this page. Students can also contact Student Wellbeing Services at any time to discuss concerns by emailing studentwellbeing@bathspa.ac.uk or calling 01225 876543.

It is important for employee wellbeing that staff take annual leave, and especially so at this time and therefore we are actively encouraging staff to take their leave. If it is difficult to fit in taking leave in blocks of a full week, do consider taking days here and there instead.

Please see the working from home guidance on Sulis with information from IT on how to access your work securely, guidance from Health and Safety to ensure staff work from home safely and information for how to manage your work and keep in touch with your teams. Additional support for working from home is also available on Sulis.

You can use your own device on trusted Wi-Fi/Broadband/3G/4G without VPN connection for Learning and Teaching purposes to access Minerva (Blackboard, Turnitin, Collaborate) and G Suite (Email, Calendar, Drive, Hangouts) as long as you can ensure the following:

• You must not access Personally sensitive information about others.
• You must not access or download “Red” data - as defined below.
• You must use a trusted internet connection, such as your home broadband/wifi or a 3G / 4G hotspot.
• You must “Check for Updates”, run a “Windows Update” and install all known patches.
• You must have an up-to-date anti-virus / anti-malware installed and updated regularly.
• Where possible, you should use a personal firewall on your device.
• If you temporarily download any work related documents on your own device, you must delete it after you have finished.

For all other activity, you will need a device managed by IT Services.

“Red” data is defined as: data that if disclosed or inappropriately interpreted or changed would cause harm, or if destroyed would cause disruption. The most sensitive and valuable typically includes: assets with any Special Categories of Personal Data; any automated profiling characteristics or decision making or tracking of behaviour; any card or other payment details; any child subjects; any direct marketing; any security system details; any complaints or highly controversial or offensive content; any urgently required or safety critical information.

We are providing a mixture of safe and socially distanced on-campus and online teaching and learning for our students. We know that the coronavirus pandemic situation can change quickly, so we are prepared for a number of different ‘stages’ of how we operate, depending on the situation we are in.

Safety measures include social distancing; the use of face coverings; increased sanitation points; a mix of face-to-face and online learning; frequent email reminders of Government rules; reducing numbers on public transport and on campuses; using one-way routes and maximum occupancy restrictions; and creating Covid-compliant study and recreation spaces throughout the city.

The NHS Covid-19 app is now in operation across all our campuses, and all students and staff have been asked to download it, and scan into buildings each time they enter.

All students have been provided with clear instructions on what to do if a member of their household develops symptoms of Covid-19. This includes the entire household going into isolation and reporting it to the University immediately.

Plans are also in place to support students who are self-isolating and can’t leave their home. This includes helping provide food and other essential items along with wellbeing and mental health support.

In the event there is an outbreak of Covid-19 at the University, we will follow our Bath Spa University Local Outbreak Management Plan. Please note that the Local Outbreak Management Plan will be updated as guidance and situations, both locally and nationally, evolve.

We know we have an important duty to our community in Bath and have developed very detailed plans and guidance for our students and staff to make sure they are clear about how to adhere to both local and national rules including social distancing, the wearing of face coverings, hand washing and limits on social gatherings.

We have also given students instructions on what to do if a member of their household becomes ill, or develops symptoms of Covid-19. We have plans in place to support them if they need to self-isolate and can’t leave their home.

We are asking all international students to follow Government guidelines and self-isolate for two weeks on arrival. We are providing free accommodation to those students for the two week isolation period, including any student who will then move into private accommodation in town. We are delivering food and other necessities to these students so they do not need to leave their accommodation during that time. If any isolating students show signs of illness during the quarantine period, they, along with any flatmates, will be tested for Covid-19 and only allowed to end their quarantine on the direction of public health.

We have published our Local Outbreak Management Plan which explains the procedures we will follow in the event of an outbreak of Covid-19 at Bath Spa. 

We are conscious of the need to encourage our students and staff alike to behave respectfully towards one another and members of our community. We are asking everyone to commit to the Bath Spa Community Pledge. We hope the Pledge reinforces the core values of our University and reminds us all of our responsibilities to be good, respectful and compassionate citizens.

We are working in close collaboration with local public health and health protection teams and with the University of Bath, to ensure we have a joined-up approach. This is an unprecedented year for our students, staff and the wider community. We are very committed in our efforts to help ensure good public health and safety, both on and off our campuses.

If you have a concern about the behaviour of others, but feel unable to raise this with them directly, please contact covid@bathspa.ac.uk putting “Covid Conduct – Escalated Concern” in the subject line. You can also share any concerns through Report and Support. We pledge to provide you with support and take the necessary steps to positively resolve the concern.