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Update: 10 May 2022

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, including contact details for any enquiries, below.

TEACHING AND LEARNING

We returned to full face-to-face teaching for all on-campus degrees for this academic year in line with the government guidance for Higher Education, as well as in collaboration with our validating and venue partners, as it has been throughout the pandemic. Further details on how we operate and are able to adapt to changing circumstances can be found in our COVID Secure Campus Guidelines.

ACCOMMODATION

Our partner accommodation with Unite Students at Arch View House at First Way in Wembley and Mill Point in Manchester are open. We work closely with Unite Students to ensure safe and COVID-Secure student accommodation provision. Unite’s COVID information can be found here.

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 Stadium and Etihad Stadium, 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 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 respects those who still wish to wear them and they remain available on request from UCFB facilities’ receptions.
  • Hand sanitiser stations throughout campus facilities;
  • Detailed facilities risk assessments;
  • COVID Secure Campus Guidelines inductions for all students and staff.

Vaccinations

The COVID-19 vaccination is now being offered to everyone aged 18 or over.

Students registered with a GP can book their appointment at a larger vaccination centre, a community pharmacy run site or at some GP run sites through the National Booking Service website or by phoning 119.

Those who are registered with a GP will also receive an invitation to be vaccinated from their GP practice.

While registration with a GP is encouraged to access the vaccine, individuals can request to book COVID-19 vaccination appointments as an unregistered patient through a local GP practice.

You can access NHS England’s full set of COVID-19 vaccination FAQs for students in higher education institutions here.

Testing

Students and staff are no longer required to submit to regular asymptomatic testing.

Travel

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

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

COVID-19 general guidance
What should I do if I develop symptoms of COVID-19?

Symptoms of coronavirus (COVID-19) in adults can include:

  • a high temperature or shivering (chills) – a high temperature means you feel hot to touch on your chest or back (you do not need to measure your temperature)
  • a new, continuous cough – this means coughing a lot for more than an hour, or 3 or more coughing episodes in 24 hours
  • a loss or change to your sense of smell or taste
  • shortness of breath
  • feeling tired or exhausted
  • an aching body
  • a headache
  • a sore throat
  • a blocked or runny nose
  • loss of appetite
  • diarrhoea
  • feeling sick or being sick

The symptoms are very similar to symptoms of other illnesses, such as colds and flu.
If you develop any of these symptoms, please take the following steps:

Do not come onto campus or leave campus immediately if symptoms begin when you are there.

Email UCFB to inform us that you are absent owing to COVID-19 symptoms

Your academic content will be available online

  • Stay at home and minimise contact with others for five days (as per the advice here)
  • Ensure you keep UCFB updated on the status of your symptoms

This FAQ was last reviewed on 10 May 2022.

What should I do if I test positive for COVID-19?

If you test positive for COVID-19, please take the following steps:

  • Do not come into campus
  • Stay at home and minimise contact with others as per the government’s advice here.
  • Email UCFB to inform us that you are absent owing to testing positive for COVID-19
    • UCFB Etihad Students: absenceetihad@ucfb.com
    • UCFB Wembley Students: absencewembley@ucfb.com
  • UCFB will provide you with details of how to access your academic content online

This FAQ was last reviewed on 10 May 2022.

 

What should I do if I am asked to self-isolate due to being in contact with a confirmed case?

If you are asked to self-isolate, please take the following steps:

  • Self-isolate for the period of time stated on the official communication. This is typically 10 days from the date of the last contact with a positive case. All of your academic content is available online. We will provide you with full support. Please email us to let us know that you are self-isolating with symptoms:
  • Get a COVID-19 test IF you develop any of the following COVID Symptoms. You can find out how here: https://www.gov.uk/get-coronavirus-test 
    • a high temperature – this means feeling hot to touch on the chest or back (temperature does not need to be measured)
    • a new, continuous cough – this means coughing frequently for more than an hour, or 3 or more coughing episodes in 24 hours (if someone usually has a cough, it may be worse than usual)
    • a loss or change to sense of smell or taste – this means not being able to smell or taste anything, or things smell or taste different to normal.
  • If you take a COVID-19 test, do not come onto campus until the outcome of the test is known.
  • Keep up to date with the latest government stay at home guidance for if you do develop symptoms or receive a positive test: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-stay-at-home-guidance/stay-at-home-guidance-for-households-with-possible-coronavirus-covid-19-infection

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 1:1 virtual meeting, which can be done via telephone or video 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 21st January 2022

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:  learningsupport@ucfb.com. 

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

This FAQ was last reviewed on 10 May 2022.

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 10 May 2022.

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, including the common cold or flu. The NHS recommends that you:

  • Always carry tissues with you and use them to catch your cough or sneeze. Then throw away the tissue, and wash your hands, or use a sanitiser gel.
  • Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after using public transport. Use a sanitiser gel if soap and water are not available.
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.
  • Avoid close contact with people who are unwell.

You might also find it helpful to watch the following NHS video on how to wash your hands: https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/best-way-to-wash-your-hands/  

This FAQ was last reviewed on 10 May 2022.

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 or have received a positive test.

This FAQ was last reviewed on 10 May 2022.

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:

Adults with the symptoms of a respiratory infection, and who have a high temperature or feel unwell, should try to stay at home and avoid contact with other people until they feel well enough to resume normal activities and they no longer have a high temperature

Children and young people who are unwell and have a high temperature should stay at home and avoid contact with other people. They can go back to school, college or childcare when they no longer have a high temperature, and they are well enough to attend

Adults with a positive COVID-19 test result should try to stay at home and avoid contact with other people for 5 days, which is when they are most infectious. For children and young people aged 18 and under, the advice will be 3 days.

• Experiencing symptoms:
o 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:
o 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 absenceetihad@ucfb.com or absencewembley@ucfb.com updated on progress of symptoms and testing.
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 1:1 virtual meeting, which can be done via telephone or video 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:

• UCFB/GIS Wembley students: studentserviceswembley@ucfb.com
• UCFB/GIS Etihad Campus students: studentservicesetihad@ucfb.com
• Online students: studentservicesonline@ucfb.com

This FAQ was last reviewed on 10 May 2022.

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 ask them to leave campus and inform UCFB of the reason for their absence via:

  • UCFB Etihad Students: absenceetihad@ucfb.com
  • UCFB Wembley Students: absencewembley@ucfb.com

This FAQ was last reviewed on 10th May 2022.

How can I access the COVID-19 vaccine?

The COVID-19 vaccination is now being offered to everyone aged 18 or over.

Students registered with a GP can book their appointment at a larger vaccination centre, a community pharmacy run site or at some GP run sites through the National Booking Service website or by phoning 119.

Those who are registered with a GP will also receive an invitation to be vaccinated from their GP practice.

While registration with a GP is encouraged to access the vaccine, individuals can request to book COVID-19 vaccination appointments as an unregistered patient through a local GP practice.

This FAQ was last reviewed on 10 May 2022.

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 and 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 10 May 2022.

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 Online Hub. You should also contact your Module Leader should you need any further academic support.

This FAQ was last reviewed on 10 May 2022.

Will I be able to access the library?

Our Study Hubs at both UK campuses are open as normal for the 2021/22 academic year, in line with government guidance. We will also continue to provide a wide range of online resources for all students and library support will be available.

This FAQ was last reviewed on 1st March 2022.