Competing pressures on universities next term

Fiona McIntyre looks ahead to the autumn term as restrictions on in-person teaching are lifted

On 6 July, Gavin Williamson promised an end to restrictions on in-person teaching in universities in time for the start of next term. Students, the education secretary said, could now look forward to getting back to lecture halls in September—something that they had “dearly, dearly missed”.

Given the announcement was made at the start of July, universities in England had already been putting plans in place for teaching and learning next year—but without a clear picture of which restrictions would remain in place. Some have hedged their bets and promised students as much in-person teaching and learning as possible. The University of Birmingham, for example, says on its website that it aims to give students “a full campus-based and in-person teaching experience that provides full access to our world-class teaching and learning facilities”.