Search Herts

Latest Updates

As we continue to comply with Government guidance, this page will keep you updated about how the University is responding to the latest guidance and the support we offer to keep our community safe, supported, and as connected as possible throughout these challenging times.

Visit our case tracker for the most up-to-date data on COVID-19 cases at the University.

  • Roadmap out of lockdown

    On Monday 14 June the Government confirmed that England would remain in step three of the roadmap for a further four weeks until 19 July. You can view the details of this step on gov.uk. You can also read what step three means for the University in our roadmap out of lockdown and in the details below on this page.

    Teaching and Learning

    While we know that much of the teaching has finished for this academic year, there are still students who are continuing with their studies. While we remain in step 3 of the roadmap students are still able to come to campus, both to engage with academic tutors and other students on your course.

    Please note, however, that measures such as social distancing and wearing face coverings are still in place across campus and in teaching and learning spaces.

    If you are planning to come to campus, do take advantage of the range of events and activities going on this summer at Herts, giving you the opportunity to meet your fellow students and catch up on campus! Some of these activities also count towards your Go Herts Award submission so make sure you take the opportunity to get involved! Take a look at what’s on

  • Teaching and learning

    Currently, only students studying practical courses that require specialist equipment and facilities are permitted to come to campus for their teaching and learning.

    From Monday 17 May, government restrictions on in-person teaching will be lifted and remaining students can return. If you are on a course that can now return, your Programme Leader will be in contact with you by Friday 14 May with information on plans for the remainder of Semester B, including opportunities to engage with academic tutors and other students on your course.

    Please note, however, that measures such as social distancing and wearing face coverings are still in place across campus and in teaching and learning spaces.

    We know that for many of you, teaching sessions for the current semester will shortly be coming to an end. There is, however, lots of events and activities going on at Herts outside of your studies giving you the opportunity to meet your fellow students and catch up on campus! Some of these activities also count towards your Go Herts Award submission so make sure you take the opportunity to get involved! Take a look at what’s on

  • Assessments and our Safety Net Policy

    To support students, last year we made changes to assessments, grading and degree classifications, which is referred to as our Safety Net Policy. In 2021, this policy still applies as before and continues to support our students through this challenging period - you can read the policy below.

    Key points in our Safety Net Policy:

    • If a module is failed and then passed when you take a referral, the grade for the referred assignment will not be capped* to the pass grade.
    • If a module is failed, you will be offered the chance to defer the module to the next academic year, as an alternative to a referral. Again, the grade would not be capped, and your transcripts would show it to be a first attempt.
    • There are two different ways in which final degree classification can be calculated. The option that provides the best possible outcome for the student will be applied.

    You can read the Policy here.

  • Postgraduate researchers

    For research degree students, the Researcher Development Programme will continue to run online for the moment. Arrangements for research degree supervisions, whether online or in-person, should be discussed with individual supervisory teams. If you have any queries, please contact the Doctoral College.

  • Coming to campus: Access and facilities

    How to visit campus safely:

    What you need to do to visit campus safely:

    • Check your timetable to see if you have a scheduled in-person session
    • Book a test. Our testing unit is open for those who do not have symptoms
    • Bring your student ID (physical card or digital ID via Herts Mobile) to ensure you can access campus through our security checkpoints
    • Hands, face, space: follow Government guidance to keep the campus safe

    Travelling to campus

    You can help control coronavirus (COVID-19) and travel safely by walking and cycling, if you can. If you need to use public transport, please ensure you follow the Government guidance to ensure you travel safely.

    Uno bus will be running services as normal but please check the Uno website before travelling.

    If you are driving to campus, our Park and Stride is open for free parking. If you choose to park elsewhere on campus, normal parking charges will apply, so you will need a pay-as-you-use permit or a pre-paid permit.

    Which facilities you can access:

    LRCs and Study spaces

    At present, both of our LRCs remain open for your use. Check what's available and the safety measures that you need to follow here.

    Additional temporary individual study spaces are also available in the Chapman Lounge and Hutton Lounge at College Lane, and the Enterprise Hub (all floors), Mezzanine and de Havilland restaurant at de Havilland.

    Food and drink

    You can check opening times for our outlets on College Lane here and on de Havilland here.

    Parking

    If you are driving to campus, our Park and Stride is open for free parking. If you choose to park elsewhere on campus, normal parking charges will apply, so you will need a pay-as-you-use permit or a pre-paid permit..

    Ask Herts Hubs

    Ask Herts Hutton and Ask Herts de Havilland remain open with skeleton staff, with Ask Herts Innovation remaining closed.

    Sports

    The Hertfordshire Sports Village is open. Please check opening times and availability on the Hertfordshire Sports Village website before visiting.

    University Day Nursery:

    The nursery is open as normal for all children currently registered there.

  • Getting tested

    The Government has asked all students to get a test before they travel back to university, either through their local community testing programme or by ordering a free test online. Students should then access testing  immediately on your return and then again 3 days later. While you await your result (typically one hour), you should not be in contact with other students, you should follow the hands, face, space rules to avoid virus transmission.

    You must book your tests in advance, and you can only attend your appointment if you do not have symptoms. If you do have symptoms, please book a test through the NHS testing unit.

    The test is free, quick, and easy and involves applying a swab to the throat and nose.

    If you are a placement student, due to attend an Occupational Health (OH) appointment for placement clearance, please make sure you book a COVID-19 test on campus (if you don’t have symptoms) before attending your OH appointment.

    Remember, by taking a test you are helping to stop the spread of the virus, protect other people and save lives. We have a low number of COVID-19 cases at the University and we need your help to keep our Herts community safe. Book your test here

  • Health and Safety on campus

    We all have a shared responsibility to protect ourselves and others. If you are coming on to campus for practical's, or if you live on campus, you must follow all our safety guidance. This includes

    • getting an asymptomatic test
    • regular hand washing
    • social distancing
    • wearing a face covering (if you are not exempt)
    • using our track and trace system.

    The University expects all its students and staff to act responsibly by following the safety measures that are in place at all times. Individuals who do not follow the measures pose a risk to other members of our community. This behaviour will not be tolerated and any individuals found to continually break the rules will be dealt with accordingly.

  • Student support

    We have a range of resources from teams all across the University. You can reach out to the Dean of Students team on email or by phone (01707 281010). You can also get advice and support from Hertfordshire Students’ Union or Student Space, and you can even speak to the University Chaplain. Don’t forget there are lots of things for you to get involved in as well on our Facebook page and on the Active Students website.

    And if you are a health and social care student, remember that you are considered an ‘essential worker’ so you can access additional support, such as sending your children to school to support your studies and placements.