Cambridge University moves all lectures online until summer 2021

Institution first to announce virtual teaching for next academic year

Cambridge has become the first university to set out measures for the full 2020-21 academic year, announcing that it will move all “face-to-face lectures” online for the duration. The institution added that it was “likely” social distancing would continue to be required.

The university said lectures would continue virtually until summer 2021, while it may be possible for smaller teaching groups to take place in person if it “conforms to social-distancing requirements”.

Cambridge University said it may be possible for smaller teaching groups to take place in person social distancing was possible. Photograph: Andrew Couldridge/Reuters

A spokesman said: “The university is constantly adapting to changing advice as it emerges during this pandemic. Given that it is likely that social distancing will continue to be required, the university has decided there will be no face-to-face lectures during the next academic year.

“Lectures will continue to be made available online and it may be possible to host smaller teaching groups in person, as long as this conforms to social-distancing requirements. This decision has been taken now to facilitate planning, but as ever, will be reviewed should there be changes to official advice on coronavirus.”

All teaching at the university was moved online in March. Exams are being carried out virtually.

It comes after the Office for Students (OfS), the higher education regulator, urged universities not to promise students that everything will return to normal in the autumn term if this is not the case.

Addressing a virtual education select committee on Monday, Nicola Dandridge, chief executive at the OfS, said students should be told what kind of experience they will receive in advance of accepting offers.

(Source: The Guardian)