When you join your flat/house, you form a new household for the purpose of living at university. This 'university household' is subject to the government rules and guidance on numbers and visitors, like any other household. You do remain part of the household you were part of prior to joining university - and you can continue to meet them at that household (e.g. for overnight stays to a family home).

Please remember to play your part and not move between households if you or anyone in your household are displaying symptoms.

Currently, we have a no visitor policy in our Halls and that applies to families as well as friends

We appreciate how difficult it has been for you to prepare for your Year Abroad in 2020-21 due to the many uncertainties created by the coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic. We have been monitoring the situation, in line with the British Council and the majority of universities in the UK and abroad and we have been listening to your many concerns.

The options that we are setting out today are designed to set your minds at rest in terms of safety and to ensure you have maximum flexibility next year.  They allow those of you who are able to move ahead with your Year Abroad in the autumn.  They also give the option of continuing your studies at the College and completing a Year Abroad in the following academic year.  Please note that, as the global situation evolves, they may also be subject to change.

1. Flexible Year Abroad

This option would mean that you continue with your current plans for study or work placements next academic year.  This may mean studying/working online at the beginning of the year and travelling to your chosen destination when you are able and confident to do so.

For those on study placements, most of our Erasmus+ partners are working to ensure online teaching is available, if required. If it becomes apparent that your university cannot offer online learning, we will contact you to discuss alternative options. If your Year Abroad is delayed or even interrupted due to Covid-19 restrictions, we offer language resources and support so that your continued learning of the language is not disrupted.

There are some important things to take into consideration when deciding to continue with your Year Abroad:

•  For both the work and study placements the Erasmus+ mobility grant will only become available once you have arrived at your chosen destination
• All students are covered by the Safety Net and Best 90 policy set out in the Emergency Regulations. This means that you can confidently take up your placements and do the required assessments even if you experience the odd delay or interruption to the year.
• If you have a British Council assistantship, it may be possible to teach remotely depending on the particular school. The British Council will inform assistants directly about such alternatives.

2. Fourth Year Abroad

This option means that you choose to enrol for your final year (stage 4) courses this coming September 2020 at Royal Holloway and then you can decide whether to take your Year Abroad (stage 3) in September 2021-22. 

This may also mean studying/working online at the beginning of the academic year and travelling to your chosen destination when you are able and confident to do so, depending on the pandemic.

There are some important things to take into consideration when deciding to delay your Year Abroad:

• The Year Abroad assessments will be slightly different (details tbc) and crucially will be final-year weighted. Also, since Year Abroad oral exams are taken in term three, you will be examined remotely. All students are covered by the Safety Net and Best 90 policy set out in the Emergency Regulations.
• You will need to inform the School by 1 July 2020 if you wish to take up this option so you can register in good time for third-year modules starting in September. ( If you would like to be considered for halls accommodation in 2020-21 you can submit an application via the Online Accommodation System)
• Language learning resources and support will be available so that you are better prepared for entering final-year language courses.
• Should you feel, however, by the end of February 2021 that you no longer wish to go on a Year Abroad, you will be able to apply for a Year Abroad waiver.
• If you take up the Fourth Year Abroad option, you will have to re-start the application process for your Year Abroad placements and attend all the required Year Abroad meetings. It is important also to point out that the range of opportunities for the Year Abroad in 2021-22 may be reduced due to Brexit, notably in the case of study placements.
• Finally, please bear in mind that if you’re intending to attend Graduation in July 2022, this may have potential implications for the type of placement you decide to organise for the second half of the year (including length of placement and location).

We appreciate that there is a lot of information here and we hope that the options are clear and reassuring. 

The Year Abroad team are available to discuss your options with you in greater detail. Please contact Professor James Williams in the first instance. Your Personal tutor will also be happy to help you with this decision.

If we don’t hear from you by 1 July 2020, we will assume that you are taking the ‘Flexible Year Abroad’ option and continuing with your preparations for the Year Abroad 2020-21.

As you will understand, as a College we have never come across circumstances like these before and we can understand how this may be a very difficult decision for you. We’re here to help you talk through your options, so please do get in touch if we can help.

All best wishes,

Sarah, James and the Year Abroad team

For the next academic year 2020/2021 we are re-arranging your course to make it possible for you to move seamlessly between face-to-face and online teaching. We are planning a September start on campus, but if travel restrictions mean you are not able to arrive for the start of term, or social distancing measures are in place on campus, you won’t miss out on the beginning of this academic year. 

No. All courses will have a combination of face-to-face and online activity during the academic year 2020/21. 

Social distancing measures will be in place to ensure that tutorials and small group seminars can safely be held on campus, giving you face-to-face engagement with academics in the forums that you tell us matter most to you. This face-to-face activity will be combined with online lectures and learning support.

Don’t worry if your arrival on campus is delayed. Each course will be set up to accommodate a mix of students studying face-to-face and remotely at any one time.

Our combination of face-to-face and online lectures and learning support means that if travel restrictions are in place and you are not able to arrive in the UK or to campus for the start of the academic year, you won’t miss out.  You will be able to confidently continue your studies online, joining in virtual sessions like tutorials and small group seminars with your class mates until you’re able to return to campus.

Our approach also means that if you are on campus and new social distancing measures are introduced, you will be able to continue with your studies without interruption.

This academic year in response to coronavirus (Covid-19), we will be mixing face-to-face activity, such as tutorials and small group seminars, with online lectures and learning support. Each course will be set up to accommodate a mix of students studying face-to-face and remotely at any one time.

For the last year we have made most of our lectures available online with lecture recording, a move which we know was well received because it meant that you could watch your lectures again at a time convenient to you, and watch them throughout the academic year to support your studies.

By mixing online lectures and learning support with face-to-face activity, such as tutorials and small group seminars, we can combine the benefits of technology with real time face-to-face engagement in the forums that you tell us matter most.

We understand that the pandemic means there is a lot of uncertainty, particularly if you are resident outside the UK and may face ongoing travel restrictions.

 That’s why all undergraduate courses for the academic year 2020/21 will combine face-to-face and online teaching and learning support. This combination means that even if you are not able to travel to the UK for the start of term you won’t miss out and will still be able to continue your studies remotely from wherever you are. Each course will be set up to accommodate a mix of students studying face-to-face and remotely at any one time.

If you are resident in the UK, we are expecting to be able to welcome you to campus in September. However, if new social distancing measures are introduced or travel restrictions are in place, our combination of face-to-face and online teaching and learning support means that you can continue your course remotely from wherever you are. Each course will be set up to accommodate a mix of students studying face-to-face and remotely at any one time.

When you do arrive on campus, you can be confident that as long as you have kept up with the work of the class online, you will be able to join the class in person and carry on with your course without interruption.

No. While we expect to be able to welcome students back to campus for the start of term, we understand that possible travel restrictions may make that difficult for some students who are resident overseas.  We have adapted our courses for 2020/21 to take account of the possible impact of coronavirus (Covid-19).  Each course will be set up to accommodate a mix of students studying face-to-face and remotely at any one time.

Some elements of your course may require face-to-face participation in particular activities, such as some practical work, skills development activities, end-of-year examinations and field trips.

Some of these can be offered online but as far as possible, we will offer these activities face-to-face. The exact approach will depend on your degree course or modules. In the event that coronavirus continues to disrupt travel, we will ensure that the key practical and fieldwork skills are provided online with activities rescheduled later in the year, by which point travel restrictions may have lifted. If your arrival on campus is very significantly delayed you will be able to discuss your particular situation with your course leader so that you can together decide the best option for you.

Our approach means that you can be confident that if you are resident overseas and your arrival on campus is delayed, you can start your course remotely from wherever you are. When you do arrive on campus, you can be confident that as long as you have kept up with the work of the class online, you will be able to join the class in person and carry on with your course without interruption.

 We know that activities in some subjects rely on face-to-face participation.  Examples include practical work, skills development activities, end-of-year examinations and field trips. Some of these can be offered online but as far as possible, we will offer these activities face-to-face. The exact approach will depend on your degree course or modules. In the event that coronavirus (Covid-19) continues to disrupt travel, we will ensure that the key practical and fieldwork skills are provided online with activities rescheduled later in the year, by which point travel restrictions may have lifted.  If your return to campus is very significantly delayed you will be able to discuss your particular situation with your course leader so that you can together decide the best option for you.

All undergraduate courses for the academic year 2020/21 will combine face-to-face and online teaching and learning support. This combination means that even if the UK reintroduces lock down measures, you will be able to continue with your studies. 

We expect that the majority of our students will start their course in September. If you are already in the UK we look forward to welcoming you to the campus in September.  The start of term is Monday 21 September 2020.

No, we expect all students to come to campus as soon as they are able to travel. We believe that the opportunity to engage face-to-face with academic staff and other students is an important part of your university experience however, we also recognise that coronavirus means we have to adapt our approach.  That’s why our plan for the academic year 2020/2021 is to combine face-to-face with online teaching and learning support.  By combining face-to-face with online, our students gain the benefits of studying in an academic environment, and it means you won’t miss out if travel restrictions are in place for the start of term.  Our approach means you can confidently continue your studies online if you need to and join us on campus, in person, as soon as you are able to. 

Some elements such as practical work, end of year examinations, skills development and activities and field trips also require face-to-face engagement.

The health and safety of our community is our highest priority, and we are putting in place measures designed to help protect everyone on campus.

This academic year in response to coronavirus (Covid-19), we will be mixing face-to-face activity, such as tutorials and small group seminars, with online lectures and learning support.

For the last year we have made most of our lectures available online with lecture recording, a move which was well received because it meant that you could watch again your lectures at a time convenient to you, and watch them throughout the academic year to support your studies.

By mixing online lectures and learning support with face-to-face activity, such as tutorials and small group seminars, we can combine the benefits of technology with real time face-to-face engagement in the forums that you tell us matter most.

Each course will be set up to accommodate a mix of students studying face-to-face and remotely at any one time.

Some activities will require face-to-face participation in particular activities, such as some practical work, skills development activities, end-of-year examinations and field trips. Some of these can be offered online but as far as possible, we will offer these activities face-to-face. The exact approach will depend on your degree course and modules. In the event that coronavirus (Covid-19) continues to disrupt travel, we will ensure that the key practical and fieldwork skills are provided online with activities rescheduled later in the year, by which point travel restrictions may have lifted.

Our approach means that you can be confident that as long as you have kept up with the work of the class online, you will be able to join the class in person and carry on with your course without interruption.

We use Moodle and Microsoft Teams for Education, both of which can be accessed through our website.

We don’t anticipate any need for a VPN to access resources. We use Moodle and Microsoft Teams for Education, both of which can be accessed through our website.

The exact number of online study hours may vary according to your personal circumstances and the course you are taking. Each course will be set up to accommodate a mix of students studying in face-to-face and remotely at any one time. Some elements of your course will require face-to-face participation in particular activities, such as some practical work, skills development activities, end-of-year examinations and field trips. Some of these can be offered online but as far as possible, we will offer these activities face-to-face. The exact approach will depend on your degree course and modules. In the event that coronavirus (Covid-19) continues to disrupt travel, we will ensure that the key practical and fieldwork skills are provided online with activities rescheduled later in the year. Our approach means that you can be confident that as long as you have kept up with the work of the class online, you will be able to join the class in person and carry on with your course without interruption.

You will be able to take part in face-to-face activities such as small group seminars and tutorials using online platforms such as Microsoft Teams for Education. You will join the seminar or tutorial online, joining in with classmates who are on campus. This means that you can continue to benefit from group activity. You will also have regular one to one contact with your personal tutor again using Microsoft Teams for Education.  This means that, when you arrive on campus, you will be able to join your class in person and carry on with your course without interruption.

Small group seminars and tutorials will be live and will be conducted with your classmates and hosted by your tutor. You will also have individual contact with your personal tutor using Microsoft Teams for Education. We will be mixing these face-to-face activities with online learning support and lectures, which means you will be able to engage with aspects of your learning at a time and place that is convenient for you. Online lectures are available to watch again and again. This gives you the chance to prepare questions and think about ideas that you might want to discuss in more detail when you meet with your course leader and classmates in small group seminars and tutorials.

We will, as far as possible, arrange small group seminars, tutorials and meetings with your personal tutor at times appropriate to the students attending them. 

Yes.You will take part in small group seminars and tutorials online, joining in with classmates who are on campus. This means that you can continue to benefit from group activity and when you arrive on campus, you will be able to join your class in person and carry on with your course without interruption.  

We will offer a support package which is tailored to your needs. You will be allocated and supported by a personal tutor. We will also provide additional support to help you understand how you can get the best from the technology we will be using to support your studies.  Students who are not able to come to campus for the start of the academic year will also receive extra support so that you are confident joining classes remotely. Throughout your course, our academic and wellbeing services will all be available online as well as on campus.

We will, as far as possible, arrange small group seminars, tutorials and meetings with your personal tutor at times appropriate to the students attending them.  

Online lectures and learning support means you will be able to engage with other aspects of your learning at a time and place that is convenient for you.  Online lectures are available to watch again and again. This gives you the chance to prepare questions and think about ideas that you might want to discuss in more detail when you meet with your course leader and classmates in small group seminars and tutorials.

Yes, it will meet all professional body requirements.

 Yes.You will take part in small group seminars and tutorials online, joining in with classmates who are on campus.

Lectures and other learning support will be recorded by your lecturer and made available to the whole class at the same time. This means that you will be able to watch lectures at a time and place that is most convenient to you. Online lectures are available to watch again and again. This gives you the chance to prepare questions and think about ideas that you might want to discuss in more detail when you meet with your course leader and classmates in small group seminars and tutorials.

Royal Holloway does not offer an online degree and this is not an online degree.  All courses will have a combination of face-to-face and online activity during the academic year 2020/21.  This combination means that even if you are not able to arrive on campus for the start of term, or social distancing measures are in place, you won’t miss out and will still be able to continue your studies. Our expectation is that when you are able to travel to campus you will return to Royal Holloway.  Our aim is to support you to be an active learner wherever you are based, and we place great emphasis on interaction with staff and other learners.

The exact approach will depend on your degree course and modules and the kind of support needed to meet learning objectives. You can be confident that, if the conditions allow, we will be combining face-to-face activity on campus, such as tutorials and small group seminars, with interactive online sessions with your tutor and classmates and online lectures.

For the last year we have made most of our lectures available online, a move which was well received by you, our students, because it meant that you could watch your lectures again at a time convenient to you and throughout the academic year to support you studies.

The exact approach will depend on your degree course or modules. Where possible, laboratory and other practical sessions will run to the normal timetable. We will record laboratory sessions for those students who are unable to attend in person. If necessary, sessions delivered during the first two terms will also be repeated in term three and we will provide alternative ways of meeting learning objectives.

You will need a PC or laptop with a working wifi connection. We have a Study Support Grant scheme and other support funds which can help you (if you meet certain criteria) to buy IT equipment.

If you have a disability (including specific learning difficulties), our Disability and Dyslexia Services team can advise you on the support available to you to enable you to participate.  We would encourage you to register with the team as soon as possible so we can assess your support needs.

Your timetable for term one will be available from 16 September, with timetables for terms two and three following on later in the first term. 

No. We have adapted our courses to combine both face-to-face and online activity in response to the global pandemic. We are not offering an online degree. We are using a number of different approaches to ensure that if your arrival on campus is delayed, you can continue your course and will have the same access to world class academics and excellent teaching and learning support as the students on your course who are on campus.   Our expectation is that you will arrive on campus as soon as you are able to and that, as long as you have kept up with the work of the class online, you will be able to join the class in person and carry on with your course without interruption.

If you have booked accommodation on campus, we will send you arrival information nearer the time.

If you are arriving from outside the UK, you should note that the UK government currently requires that you will not be allowed to leave the place you are staying for the first 14 days you are in the UK. This is known as ‘self-isolating’ but has also been referred to as ‘quarantine’. You can read the UK government’s information here, which includes details of any exceptions.

If you have an allocated place in one of our Halls of Residence on campus we will provide you with accommodation for your 14 days of self-isolation. The first date this accommodation will be available to you is Tuesday 1 September. If you arrive to campus before Tuesday 1 September we may not be able to provide you with accommodation for your 14 days of self-isolation and you will not be able to move into your allocated place in one of our halls of residence on campus.

The UK government currently requires that if you arrive in the UK from overseas you will not be allowed to leave the place you are staying for the first 14 days you are in the UK.  This is known as ‘self-isolating’ but has also been referred to as ‘quarantine’. You can read the UK government’s information here, which includes details of any exceptions.

If you have an allocated place in one of halls of residence on campus we will provide you with accommodation for your 14 days of self-isolation. The first date this accommodation will be available to you is Tuesday 1 September. If you arrive to campus before Tuesday 1 September we may not be able to provide you with accommodation for your 14 days of self-isolation and you will not be able to move into your allocated place in one of our halls of residence on campus.

If you are not able to travel to campus for the start of term, you can start your course online where you live. You will be able to take part in face-to-face activities such as small group seminars and tutorials using online platforms such as Microsoft Teams for Education, joining in with classmates who are on campus as well as with classmates who are, like you, also online.

If you have booked accommodation on campus, you can expect to be living with students from other courses.

You will also be able to join in a range of social activities – both online before and after you arrive and face-to-face on campus.

For health and wellbeing support, our Student Advisory & Wellbeing team can be contacted and will be able to offer online 1-2-1 meetings and support online.  This includes specific support for overseas students from our international student support team

You will be able to order food from the Union shop, for delivery to your accommodation. Local delivery companies also deliver from local restaurants and supermarkets.

If you are well enough, you will also be able to continue your course online and take part in a range of online activities, re-joining other students face-to-face when you have recovered.

Returning students can apply for accommodation in one of our Halls of Residences using our Online Accommodation System. The application window is currently open and applications are processed on a first come first served basis subject to availability for returners. Find out more. 

The pandemic means we are all having to do familiar things in different ways. We want you to have a great student experience and we are doing everything we can to help to ensure we keep you and the whole campus community safe. The adjustments we’re making will be compliant with government guidelines and some of the changes you might see are, for example, in catered accommodation, we are reviewing dining arrangements and this may result in longer opening hours; dedicated tables for students from the same flat and screens at tills. Your ability to get healthy, tasty and affordable meals will not change. You can also still expect to take part in a range of social activities.

Everyone has a part to play to in ensuring the safety of the whole community. We will provide guidelines to help everyone understand how to live together safely and our Hall Life team will work with all residents to ensure that they understand what is required.

We are reviewing dining arrangements to ensure that we comply with social distancing guidelines. This may, for example, result in longer opening hours; dedicated tables for students from the same flat and screens at tills. Your ability to get healthy, tasty and affordable meals will not change.

We will keep plans under review in the light of government guidelines.  We currently expect to be able to offer you accommodation, sharing with students from other courses.

If you consider yourself to be extremely clinically vulnerable according to the government’s guidelines, then please contact us via disability-dyslexia@royalholloway.ac.uk as soon as possible so that we can discuss your requirements.

Unfortuntely we are unable to accommodate any changes for accommodation this academic year unless it is for verfied safeguarding/protection issues. You can get support from Hall Life in resolving any disputes within your accommodation via hall.life@royalholloway.ac.uk.  

You should speak to your housemates about this and call a meeting to discuss your concerns. Information on how to hold a household meeting is contained in our Be a Good Neighbour Guide. If you are unable to do this you can contact your landlord or letting agent and discuss the issue with them. You can contact a memeber of our wellbeing team via community@royalholloway.ac.uk. 

We provide bicycle racks and storage areas for people who would prefer to cycle to campus.

 If you plan on driving to campus, you will be able to park free of charge and we are also working to increase car parking capacity to make it easier to find a space.

If you need somewhere to go between classes, there are a variety of social and study spaces on campus. This year, we will also be providing an area where students who commute to campus will be able to sit and prepare meals, allowing you more flexibility in your day.

If you need somewhere to go between classes, there are a variety of social and study spaces on campus. This year, we will also be providing an area where students who commute to campus will be able to sit and prepare meals, allowing you more flexibility in your day.

At Royal Holloway, we are proud of providing a safe, friendly and inclusive community. The pandemic has impacted every aspect of our lives and we take our responsibility to keep you safe very seriously.

With this in mind, we are making a number of practical changes. These include reducing the capacity of teaching rooms and changing room layouts to facilitate social distancing; more pedestrian space and adding signage to help you to navigate the campus safely.  Additional cleaning has been introduced, hand sanitiser will be provided in key locations around campus and you will be encouraged to wash your hands regularly.

Face coverings are not currently compulsory in the UK. The UK government’s guidelines on face coverings is explained here and we advise you to read them before you travel to campus in case they change.  

Wearing a face covering does not offer protection to the user, however it does help to reduce the risk of the spread of infection. By wearing a face covering you help to protect others and play your part in helping to protect the whole campus community.  We will be encouraging everyone on campus to a wear face coverings when they feel it’s appropriate to do so.  You will be able to buy face coverings in our campus shop.

We know that this may be a worrying time for many students and our health, wellbeing and academic support teams will be available to speak to you in person and online. 

We have reduced the capacity of teaching and learning spaces to facilitate social distancing. Furniture and room layouts are being changed to support this. By combining these changes and the introduction of online learning activities our goal is to provide you with high quality teaching and learning support and a positive student experience, within the context of the pandemic, so that you can succeed in your goals.

Social spaces will have reduced capacity in response to the requirements of social distancing, but we are working hard to make more spaces available so that you can still meet up, face-to-face, with friends.

We may also limit the number of students entering particularly busy areas and manage movement around campus, with additional signage, to help you to navigate the campus safely.

Face coverings are not currently compulsory in the UK. The UK government’s guidelines on face coverings is explained here and we advise you to read them before you travel to campus in case they change. 

Wearing a face covering does not offer protection to the user however, it does help to reduce the risk of the spread of infection.  By wearing a face covering you help to protect others and play your part in helping to protect the whole campus community.  We will be encouraging everyone on campus to a wear face coverings when they feel it’s appropriate to do so.  You will be able to buy face coverings in our campus shop.

Yes, face coverings and hand sanitiser will be available for sale in the Union shop. They are also likely to be available in other shops in the local area.

Two free cloth face coverings will also be available to every student and member of staff. 

Parents and supporters are welcome to contact the Student Advisory & Wellbeing team to talk through general concerns. If they wish to talk more specifically about your personal circumstances, we will need your consent to talk to them.

The UK government currently requires that if you arrive in the UK from overseas you will not be allowed to leave the place you are staying for the first 14 days you are in the UK.  This is known as ‘self-isolating’ but has also been referred to as ‘quarantine’. You can read the UK government’s information here, which includes details of any exceptions.

You can travel to the place where you are staying and details of the travel arrangements Royal Holloway has in place to help all students arriving in the UK are available here. 

If you have an allocated place in one of our halls of residence on campus we will provide you with accommodation for your 14 days of self-isolation.

During your 14 days of self-isolation, we will ensure that you have access to food and support, and you will be able to start or continue with your studies online and join in activities online.

At the end of the 14 days, if you do not develop coronavirus, you will then be able to move into your allocated room in our Halls of Residence on campus.  When you move into your allocated room in our Halls of Residence, you will be able to join in the face-to-face classes for your course.

If you develop coronavirus symptoms during your period of self-isolation, you will be able to access support and advice from our Student Advisory & Wellbeing team.

The health and safety of our whole campus community is our number one priority.  It can take up to 14 days for the symptoms of coronavirus to develop and during that time it is important that anyone at risk of developing coronavirus is isolated.  

We will provide you with accommodation for the full period of your self-isolation. We will ensure that you have access to food and support and you will be able to start or continue with your studies online while you are in self-isolation. You will also be able to join in activities online.

At the end of the 14 days, if you do not develop coronavirus, you will then be able to move into your allocated room in our Halls of Residence on campus. 

If you develop coronavirus symptoms during your period of self-isolation, you will be able to access support and advice from our Student Advisory & Wellbeing team.

During the period of self-isolation, we will provide you with accommodation. The charge for this will be around £150 for the 14 days. This will include some food basics for when you arrive, and we will support you so that you can buy your own food for the rest of the time you are in self-isolation. 

If you have an allocated place in one of our Halls of Residence on campus you will start to pay for your accommodation from the day you move into that room, so you won’t pay twice for accommodation.  

You will need to complete your 14 days of self-isolation at your accommodation. The Union Shop offers a delivery service to students living both on campus and in the local area within 2.5 mile radius. You could also set up an online delivery service from one of the UK’s supermarket chains.  The largest chains are: Tesco, Asda, Sainsbury’s, Morrisons, Aldi, Co-Op, Lidl and Waitrose.  Food delivery companies also work with local restaurants and can deliver prepared food to you.

You will be able to continue your course online and join in activities online during your period of self-isolation.

If you develop coronavirus symptoms during your period of self-isolation, you will be able to access support and advice from our Student Advisory & Wellbeing team.

If you have an allocated place in one of our Halls of Residence on campus, we will send you arrival information nearer the time.

Once you arrive on campus, we will provide you with accommodation and support while you complete your 14 days of self-isolation. There is a cost for this accommodation, around £150 for the 14 days, but you will only start to pay for your allocated place in your hall of residence when you move into your room, so you won’t pay twice. You will be able to start or continue your course online and join in activities online during your period of self-isolation.

At the end of the 14 days, if you do not develop coronavirus, you will then be able to move into your allocated room in our Halls of Residence on campus.  When you move into your allocated room in our Halls of Residence, you will be able to join in the face-to-face classes for your course. Our Hall Life team will help you transition into your new accommodation and help you to meet other students in your accommodation.

Our Covid-19 Code of Conduct & Community Responsibility Agreement confirms the anticipated conduct of our community and the internal processes that will be followed if there is a suspected breach in relation to the health, safety and wellbeing of campus. Read our Covid-19 Code of Conduct & Community Responsibility Agreement here.

At Royal Holloway, we are proud of providing a safe, friendly and inclusive community.  The pandemic has impacted every aspect of our lives and we take very seriously our responsibility to keep you, and our whole campus community, safe. While we would expect there to be less opportunity for large gatherings on campus, we are developing a range of activities. These will take account of UK government guidance.

Activities will include opportunities to stay active as well as activities organised by our Students’ Union clubs and societies. Some groups will be able to offer a face-to-face experience, within social distancing guidelines, while others may offer a more virtual experience. More information on this will be available in the summer on the Students’ Union online coronavirus hub.  You will also be able to take part in activities like Hall Life Events; volunteering; faith and departmental groups. The pandemic means we are all having to do familiar things a bit differently, so there will be some changes to how clubs and societies operate, but our goal is to provide you with a positive and vibrant student experience, within the guidelines of what is safe for the whole campus community

You can be confident that you will be coming to a lively campus with lots for you to get involved in. We expect a range of cafes and social spaces to be open but with reduced capacity, in line with government guidelines on social distancing. We are also working hard to increase the number of social spaces on campus to provide more students with safe opportunities to meet face-to-face.

We expect a range of cafes and social spaces to be open but with reduced capacity, in line with government guidelines on social distancing. We are also working hard increase the number of social spaces on campus to provide more students with safe opportunities to meet face-to-face.

You will be able to access all of our student support services, whether you are on campus or not.  

Yes. The Students’ Union will be offering many of their core services in a digital format. This means you can get advice on housing and academic issues through their Advice Centre, join groups online and take part in virtual activities or have your say on issues affecting you at university. The Students’ Union has created an online coronavirus hub which gives more detail about which services are available and how to access them. 

Yes, Royal Holloway Sport are planning a range of opportunities for students to stay active. All of our services, including the gym, will be operating in line with government guidelines on social distancing. This will impact capacity for some services but Royal Holloway Sport are also developing a virtual offering to make sure that you still have plenty of opportunities to stay physically active.  Follow @RHULSport on social media for the latest information.

Yes, you will still be able to join clubs and societies but, because of the pandemic, the look and feel of the activity will differ from group to group.

Some groups will be able to offer a face-to-face experience within social distancing guidelines while others may offer a more virtual experience. More information on this will be available in the summer on the Students’ Union online coronavirus hub.  You will also be able to take part in activities like Hall Life Events; volunteering; faith and departmental groups. These will all be delivered slightly differently but in line with social distancing guidance.

We expect to be able to continue to offer part-time jobs on campus. The exact number and nature of jobs will depend on UK government guidelines. Our Careers Service has very good connections with local employers and we continue to liaise with these employers to identify and promote opportunities in the local area. The Careers Service also provides a range of alternative volunteering roles, which will provide valuable experience and skills development

All of our student support teams will continue to provide wellbeing support and advice, whether you are studying in person or online.  Our Student Wellbeing team act as a first line service and support all students with general wellbeing. The advisers will listen to your concerns and co-ordinate the right support for you. 

Most of our support services will be available both online and face-to-face. This includes our mental health service (although full counselling is only available face-to-face in person on campus). Our GP Surgery also offers appointments with doctors and nurses on campus and online.

We have a range of support videos and other resources for you to use when you need them.

We can help you to get in touch with other support services too. 

We will open the building at the times when we already know there is most demand. It is likely the pattern of opening will change periodically in line with patterns of usage. During term time, we will open the library zone and the Café on the Square from 7am. Throughout much of the year, the building will be closed by midnight at the latest. Weekend and vacation opening times are subject to further variation. By encouraging students to study during these times, there may also be wellbeing benefits. Updates on changes to our Library Services will be posted here.

During peak demand in the lead up to the exam and assessment periods, the library plans to remain open 24 hours a day.

In response to Covid-19, the College has had to take a number of difficult financial decisions to protect its resource so that it can be invested where it will have maximum benefit to students. Running a facility as large as EWD is expensive, even with the modern level of energy efficiency incorporated into its construction. Usage data shows that there are times when occupancy of the building is very low. Although the reason for this decision is financial, it does also bring with it environmental benefits in line with Royal Holloway’s values and strategy. The College will be making alternative study space available elsewhere on campus when the EWD Building is closed. We will regularly review demand for this facility and adjust our provision as necessary.

We will offer a support package which is tailored to the needs of students who are studying online.  Every student will be allocated and supported by a personal tutor  .

We will also provide additional support to help all students understand how you can get the best from the technology we will be using to support your studies.  Students who are not able to come to campus for the start of the academic year will receive extra support so that you are confident joining classes remotely. Throughout your course, our academic and wellbeing services will all be available online as well as on campus.

Our academic study skills programme supports students in developing study skills through a range of workshops, tutorials, drop-in sessions and peer-led activities. This programme is provided both online and face-to-face.

Our Student Support Centre and School Offices can also help with specific enquiries. They will be available online (as well as face-to-face when you arrive on campus).

Much of the support which is available on campus will also available online. This will include our academic skills programme, which supports students in developing their study skills and extra support to help you understand how to get the best from the technology we will be using to support your studies. As well as face-to-face support, our library provides online Help with finding and using library resources, including through a virtual chat service, online workshops and bookable tutorial appointments.

For specific enquiries, you will also be able to contact our Student Support Centre and School Offices electronically (as well as face-to-face when you are on campus).

If you have been approved specialist one to one study skills support through Disabled Students Allowance (DSA), our Disability and Dyslexia Services team will be in contact with you at the start of term to arrange your support sessions with one of our Academic Advisers.  Alternatively, you can contact them directly to arrange this.  It is probably best to wait until you have your timetable, so that sessions can be planned to fit around your lectures and seminars.

Some of your face-to-face classes will take place in small groups and will provide opportunities for peer to peer learning (e.g. through formalised group work). This will give you the chance to get to know and work with other students from your course.  You will also be able to access support through our peer guides, who will be contactable online as well as face-to-face.

Microsoft Teams for Education is fully accessible to students. Our Disability & Dyslexia Team will be providing support and guidance on using the accessibility tools to meet your needs.

Yes.  You will be able to access all Careers resources, whether you are on or off campus.

Appointments with our Careers Consultants can take place via video/phone or MS Teams for Education and we can provide digital access to a full range of employer events. These events are also recorded so you will be able to refer to them whenever you want.

Our careers vacancies platform lists thousands of jobs – we actively source graduate and entry level roles. We manage vacancies received directly from employers and offer themed weeks for Careers during the year. The Careers Service also supports a range of placement opportunities during your studies and following graduation.

Yes, whilst the availability of part-time jobs is currently uncertain, we expect the situation to become clearer in the next few months.

Our Careers Service has very good connections with local employers and we continue to liaise with local employers to identify and promote opportunities.

The Careers Service also provides a range of alternative volunteering roles, which will provide valuable experience and skills development

If you consider yourself to be extremely clinically vulnerable according to the government’s guidelines, then please contact us as soon as possible via disability-dyslexia@royalholloway.ac.uk so that we can discuss your requirements.

Our support teams will be offering all their services with an adapted delivery model to suit the current environment. Initial contact by students will be by email with online appointments on MS Teams by default. Some services may offer face to face appointments if there is an assessed need and that it can be held in a socially distanced and Covid-safe way. Find out more. 

If you are registered with the GP Surgery on campus they will be running an intial triage service for appointments. You may be offered a telephone / video consultation for most issues but GPs and Nurse Practitioners will be on site if you are assessed to need an in-person appointment. The surgery door may be locked to ensure socially distanced access only for those who have an appointment. Find out more. 

If you have a tier 4 visa you will have paid the immigration health surcharge. This entitles you to free access to the NHS. We recommend registering with a GP practice when you arrive in the UK. If you are living on campus or in the local area you can register with the GP surgery on campus.

You can discuss your personal circumstances with a member of our Student Wellbeing team and they can provide advice and guidance relevant to your situation. They can also help arrange further support to help you emotionally in this situation. You may also wish to discuss this with your personal tutor. 

Information on how we are making our campus Covid Secure can be found on the 2020/21 Information Hub pages on the student intranet. If you have concerns about Covid-19 please email supportingyou@royalholloway.ac.uk for further guidance. All stduents returning from interruption will be contacted by a member of the student advisory and wellbeing teams before returning and this will give you an opportunity to book a virtual appointment to discuss any worries you have.