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Update: September 2023

The health and safety of our students and staff is of paramount importance, whilst also ensuring that we continue to deliver a first-class experience throughout your time with UCFB and GIS.

Our approach, as it has been throughout the pandemic, is in line with government guidance and we continue to work closely with our academic and venue partners, and are ready for every eventuality and will continue to update you as the pandemic progresses and guidance changes.

In line with the latest government guidance UCFB|GIS has moved back to a ‘business as usual’ / Green operational mode and absences from campus and work owing to COVID-19 will be treated under normal absence procedures.

UCFB|GIS will retain mitigation measures such as the availability of hand sanitiser, face coverings, use of screens in all its locations to ensure that the UCFB|GIS community continues to play its part in minimising the spread of COVID-19

Full details of UCFB’s response can be found in our COVID Secure Campus Guidelines.

Risk assessments have been conducted, safety measures are in place and there are strict policies and procedures to follow where applicable.

Please read below for further details on how we are delivering this academic year. You can also find our latest frequently asked questions (FAQs), including contact details for any enquiries, below.

TEACHING AND LEARNING

We returned to full face-to-face teaching for all on-campus degrees for academic year 2021/2022 in line with the government guidance for higher education providers, as well as in collaboration with our validating and venue partners, as it has been throughout the pandemic.

We continue to operate in line with guidance and our own COVID Secure Campus Guidelines which details on how we operate and are able to adapt to changing circumstances.

ACCOMMODATION

Our partner accommodation with Unite Students and IQ at Arch View House and Sterling Court and Mill Point and Lambert & Fairfield in Manchester respectively are open. We work closely with both providers Unite Students to ensure the provision of safe and COVID-Secure student accommodation.

KEEPING OUR COMMUNITY SAFE

Campus facilities

Whilst all legal restrictions have been lifted on social distancing, we have worked hard with our venue partners, including Wembley, Etihad and Old Trafford stadia, and have developed a set of COVID-19 guidelines in line with government guidance to ensure the safety and well-being of staff and students whilst on campus.

These include:

  • Enhanced cleaning measures including disinfectant fogging and deep cleaning programmes.
  • Although face coverings are no longer required UCFB|GIS asks staff and students to be mindful of members of the community who might be feeling anxious about the government’s removal of restrictions. As such UCFB|GIS respects those who still wish to wear them and they remain available on request from UCFB|GIS facilities receptions.
  • Hand sanitiser stations throughout campus facilities.
  • Detailed facilities risk assessments.

Vaccinations

Full details on eligibility and access to the COVID-19 vaccination and boosters is available here.

Testing

There is no longer any requirement for either students or staff to submit to regular asymptomatic testing.

Travel

All students and staff travelling to and from England from should check the relevant government advice here.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

COVID-19 general guidance
What should I do if I develop symptoms of COVID-19?
  • Do not come onto campus or leave campus immediately if symptoms begin when you are there.
  • Email UCFB|GIS to inform us that you are absent owing to COVID-19 symptoms via:

Your academic content will be available online.

This FAQ was last reviewed on 13 September 2023.

What should I do if I test positive for COVID-19?
  • You are no longer required to do a COVID-19 rapid lateral flow test if you have symptoms.
  • Do not come into campus.
  • Stay at home and minimise contact with others (as per the advice in questions 10 & 11 and here).
  • Email UCFB|GIS to inform us that you are absent owing to a positive COVID-19 test
  • UCFB|GIS Manchester Students: absenceMCR@ucfb.com
  • UCFB|GIS Wembley Students: absencewembley@ucfb.com
  • UCFB/GIS will provide you with details of how to access your academic content online.

This FAQ was last reviewed on 13 September 2023.

When should I stay at home?

There are no longer legal requirements to self-isolate.

However government advice is to stay at home and avoid contact with other people if you have symptoms of a respiratory infection by following the guidance here.

This FAQ was last reviewed on 13 September 2023.

How long should I stay at home for?

There are no longer legal requirements to self-isolate, but instead the following guidance exists on how long you should try to stay at home and try to avoid contact with others:

  • Try to stay at home and avoid contact with other people for three days after the day you took your test, if you are under 18 years old.
  • Try to stay at home and avoid contact with other people for five days after the day you took your rest, if you are 18 years old or over.
  • Avoid meeting people, who are more likely to get seriously ill from viruses, such as people with a weakened immune system, for 10 days after the day you took your test.

 

Find out more about who can get a free NHS COVID-19 test here:

  • Experiencing symptoms:
    • UCFB|GIS students must stay at home and avoid contact with other people until they feel well enough to resume normal activities and no longer have a high temperature.
  • In the event of a positive test:
    • UCFB|GIS students must stay at home and avoid contact with other people from the day of the positive test for a minimum of five full days
  • All at times, students are asked to keep the Student Administration Team updated on progress of symptoms and testing via: absenceMCR@ucfb.com or absencewembley@ucfb.com.

We understand that it can be a difficult time during self-isolation so, if you are in need of any emotional or wellbeing support, or would just like to chat to someone, our pastoral team is on hand to help. We can arrange a one-to-one virtual meeting, which can be done via telephone or video (via Microsoft Teams) meetings. Alternatively, if you prefer, we can support you via email. We will continue to work with you to meet your individual needs. For all pastoral and wellbeing needs, you can contact us at StudentSupport@ucfb.ac.uk

This FAQ was last reviewed on 13 September 2023.

I know someone who has tested positive, what should I do?
  • You can continue to attend campus as normal.
  • If you are made aware of another student testing positive, you should refer them to these guidelines, which state they should leave campus and inform UCFB|GIS of the reason for their absence via:

This FAQ was last reviewed on 13 September 2023.

What should I do if I have travelled overseas recently?

All students and staff travelling to England must adhere to government travel advice in travel to England from another country during coronavirus (COVID-19).

This FAQ was last reviewed on 13 September 2023.

What if I am concerned about my wellbeing, or that of family in the UK or abroad?

We understand that many staff and students will be concerned about the impact of the Coronavirus, and that this may be increased for those with additional health and wellbeing concerns. 

If you are a student with a disability, learning need or health or wellbeing need, and would like to discuss any concerns with a member of staff, please contact our Learning Support Team via:  learningsupport@ucfb.com. 

Similarly, if your family has been affected, and you would like to access emotional or wellbeing support, please contact the Student Support Team:

This FAQ was last reviewed on 13 September 2023.

How can I access the COVID-19 vaccine?

Full details on eligibility and access to the COVID-19 vaccination and boosters is available here.    

This FAQ was last reviewed on 13 September 2023.

What can I do to minimise the spread of the virus in my community?

There are simple steps that can be taken to minimise the spread of any viruses, You should continue to follow the latest government advice here.

There are also simple steps that can be taken to minimise the spread of any viruses, including the common cold or flu.

There are simple things you can do in your daily life that will help reduce the spread of COVID-19 and other respiratory infections and protect those at highest risk. Things you can choose to do are:

  1. Get vaccinated.
  2. Let fresh air in if meeting others indoors.
  3. Practise good hygiene:
    • wash your hands;
    • cover your coughs and sneezes; and
    • clean your surroundings frequently.
  4. Wear a face covering or a face mask.

Face coverings and face masks can help reduce the chance of you spreading infection to others, especially in crowded and enclosed spaces, and may protect you from becoming infected by some respiratory viruses.

If you have symptoms of a respiratory infection, such as COVID-19, and you have a high temperature or do not feel well enough to go to work or carry out normal activities, you are advised to try to stay at home and avoid contact with other people.

There is guidance on steps you can take to protect other people if you are unwell with symptoms of a respiratory infection, including COVID-19.

This FAQ was last reviewed on 13 September 2023.

What will happen if restrictions are placed on academic delivery?

The health and safety of our students and staff is of paramount importance, whilst also ensuring that we continue to deliver a first-class experience throughout your time with UCFB|GIS.

Our approach during the academic year will therefore be in line with the government guidance, as well as in collaboration with our validating partners and venue partners, as it has been throughout the pandemic. Further details on how we will be operating in the current situation and how we will adapt to changes in circumstances can be found in our COVID Secure Campus Guidelines.

This FAQ was last reviewed on 13 September 2023.

Will academic content be available online?

If you are unable to attend a face-to-face session for any reason, course materials will generally be made available online via the UCFB|GIS Online Hub. You should also contact your Module Leader should you need any further academic support.

This FAQ was last reviewed on 13 September 2023.

What safety measures are in place for all on campus activities?

Whilst all legal restrictions have been lifted on social distancing, we have worked hard with our venue partners, and have developed a set of COVID-19 guidelines in line with government guidance to ensure the safety and well-being of staff and students whilst on campus.

These include:

  • Enhanced cleaning measures including disinfectant fogging and deep cleaning programmes.
  • Although face coverings are no longer required, UCFB|GIS asks staff and students to be mindful of members of the community who might be feeling anxious about the government’s removal of restrictions. As such, UCFB|GIS respects those who still wish to wear them and they remain available on request from UCFB|GIS facilities receptions.
  • Hand sanitiser stations throughout campus facilities.
  • Detailed facilities risk assessments.
  • COVID Secure Campus Guidelines inductions for all students and staff.

More information on our COVID secure campuses can be found in our COVID Secure Campus Guidelines document.

This FAQ was last reviewed on 13 September 2023.

What support is available?

The Student Support Team is here to support you across a wide range of areas throughout your studies. Our priority is to ensure that you enjoy student life and feel supported to succeed both academically and personally. Support will be available in-person, online, via email and telephone.

If you are in need of any emotional or wellbeing support, or would just like to chat to someone, our pastoral team is on hand to help. We can arrange a one-to-one meeting, which can be done in-person, via telephone or video (via Microsoft teams) meetings. Alternatively, if you prefer, we can support you via email. We will work with you to meet your individual needs. For all pastoral and wellbeing needs, you can contact us at:

This FAQ was last reviewed on 13 September 2023.