Coronavirus: Some universities to delay next academic year

Aberdeen has already announced a two-week delay

Some universities are considering delays to the start of the autumn term, a Scottish minister has told MSPs.

The University of Aberdeen is one of a number of universities which will start the new academic year later.

Higher and Further Education Secretary Richard Lochhead said most universities were waiting for detailed government advice before taking a decision.

He told a Holyrood committee the Scottish government recognised the hardship being faced by many students.

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Scottish universities have warned they could lose more than £500m between now and next year due to the coronavirus crisis.

'Severely weakened'

Mr Lochhead said the Scottish government would not be making a recommendation on the start of the next academic year and that universities would be left to choose their own way forward.

He told the education and skills committee that Scotland's universities would be open after the summer in "some shape or form".

This might involve staggering course start dates or moving terms by a few weeks.

Mr Lochhead was answering questions remotely

Mr Lochhead also made a plea for further support from the UK government.

He added: "If assistance from the UK government is not forthcoming soon, then the very sectors we rely on to get us through the pandemic and to support the country's recovery will be severely weakened and diminished."

How will the universities adapt their teaching?

The University of Edinburgh has said on its website: "We intend to be ready to teach despite any travel restrictions, wherever our students are in the world."

But it warns coronavirus restrictions "may mean we change the format or order of our teaching".

Large lecture classes are unlikely to resume at Edinburgh

The university's principal, Prof Peter Mathieson, added: "We know that social distancing is likely to be here for some time to come and therefore having hundreds of students packed into lecture theatres close together probably isn't going to be possible.

"But we intend to provide small-group teaching and the other campus experiences that distinguish us in a research intensive environment.

"So we're talking about a hybrid model."

Student safety

The University of Dundee has put back the start of term by three weeks to Monday 5 October.

It's chief operating officer Jim McGeorge said it was working in consultation with the Scottish government to ensure the safety of students and staff on campus.

"We are actively addressing how we will ensure safe teaching methods, accommodation and the general university environment, while at the same time providing high quality teaching, appropriate social interaction and access to healthcare," he added.

Dundee is working on a plan to ensure students can attend university safely

Glasgow Caledonian University has said: "We have decided to start a little later than usual this year. Induction commences on Tuesday 29 September and teaching begins Monday 5 October."

Abertay University has also put back the start of its autumn term, with teaching now due to start on 21 September.

Scotland's oldest university, St Andrews, has said it will use "a model of dual delivery in teaching in Autumn 2020".

"Students and new entrants who can travel safely can expect to be taught in St Andrews in the normal way," it said.

"For those who may be unable to travel to begin the new term on 14 September, we will provide comprehensive tuition remotely, and a smooth transition to the classroom on joining us in St Andrews once travel restrictions are lifted."

Heriot-Watt University has told students that it will advise them of any changes to the start of the academic year "at the earliest opportunity".

On the University of Glasgow website, students are advised: "We are currently working with partners across the pre-HE and HE sector to consider 2020 semester dates and will update as soon as additional guidance is available."

The University of Stirling said undergraduate course dates "remain unchanged", with the 2020/21 semester starting on Monday 14 September.