Coronavirus (COVID-19)

University advice and guidance
Coronavirus (COVID-19)

We are constantly monitoring the COVID-19 pandemic and its impact. The University remains open with a safety-first approach to ensure our campuses are ‘covid-secure’ for our staff, students, local community and visitors, in accordance with government guidance.


Keep up to date

The information here is to help our website visitors understand the University's latest activity in response to COVID-19. A comprehensive set of support material for staff and students is available via login on the University's intranet. All links to further information are given below.

COVID-19 information, advice and support for different groups

Enrolled students Enrolled students
 We’re proud of our students’ resilience at this difficult time. We’re here to help with clear advice and support on the student portal around self-isolation, COVID-19 symptoms, testing, study, and ultimately the safety and wellbeing of every student.

New and returning students New and returning students
 We are planning for a high-quality student experience, designed around in-person, face-to-face teaching and learning, supplemented with digital resources. Learn more about how subjects will be taught, face-to-face sessions, learning on demand and more.

Those interested in study Those interested in study
 We very much hope we can welcome you to campus soon. We are hoping to run our upcoming open days as physical events on campus. In the meantime, you can experience Plymouth at your leisure virtually through Plymouth On Demand.

Parents and supporters Parents and supporters
 We know that parents and supporters of students may be worried about what life is like at university during a pandemic, but we want to reassure you that safety is our highest priority.

University staff University staff
 Our staff have access to information about our COVID-19 response – an archive of staff communications, advice about working from home or safely on site – and can learn about how to help our students, and much more, through the staff portal.

Community Community
 An update for the community on the 2021 student return – how we are supporting your health, safety and wellbeing.

Placement and apprenticeship employers Placement and apprenticeship employers
 We would like to reassure our employer partners that it is our priority to mitigate the impacts of the pandemic and associated disruption and together we support placement students and apprentices through these extraordinary and difficult times.

How we’re keeping our campus safe

  • We all share a collective responsibility to minimise risks to others and ourselves.

  • We are all expected to behave sensibly and responsibly, being kind, patient and respectful to others on campus and the local community.

  • We all need to act quickly and decisively if there is a need to self-isolate, symptoms are experienced, or if anyone tests positive for COVID-19.

  • We should all maintain a flexible and adaptable approach as the situation continues to evolve.

Social distancing

The latest government guidance stipulates that there is no requirement for social distancing or other measures within in-person teaching, this will enable us to start the new academic year with face-to face teaching.

If the government does reintroduce social distancing at any time during the next academic year, we will draw on previous experience to run smaller groups (rather than large lectures or workshop sessions), supplemented with online materials.

Face coverings

Students, staff and visitors on campus should wear face coverings indoors within communal locations, and outside in crowded areas.

Hygiene

We have introduced additional cleaning routines and new hand-sanitiser stations have been installed at building entrances across the campus. We are following Government guidance to help control infections rates: Hands. Face. Space.

Test and Trace

The NHS Test and Trace system (and using the COVID-19 app) plays an important part in keeping our community safe and is the fastest way to see if you are at risk from COVID-19. We are asking all staff, students and visitors at the University to use this whenever they are on campus.

Covid testing and vaccinations

Students and staff continue to be supported with access to lateral flow tests, which are encouraged to be taken two times a week. We work closely with local NHS and Public Health services and can provide students with guidance on Covid vaccination opportunities and locations.

Student support and wellbeing

Wellbeing is always a priority for us and we know there are extra challenges to manage at this time.

Our Student Hub is the one-stop-shop for all non-programme specific student support and wellbeing information. Through extra steps taken to adapt our services, such as our virtual queuing system, our student support services are accessible, no matter where those in need may be.


We’re supporting the national effort

  • Graduates are helping the NHS
  • Staff returning to the front line
  • Supporting research into vaccination
  • Delivering training to NHS staff
  • Supplying equipment to the NHS and staff in the city
  • Creatively supporting homeschooling during lockdown

Find out more about our response

Further information and resources

Latest UK government advice and information

Latest updates from UCAS

Foreign and Commonwealth Office travel advice

Latest NHS advice

COVID-19 organisational risk assessment