Coronavirus information for students

We ask that students remain where they currently are, whether in Hull or York or your home town, and not attempt to travel unless you need to come to Hull or York - either to access study facilities or for your mental or physical wellbeing. We will be providing further updates as soon as we can on these web pages and via Blackboard to students.

The Government guidance has confirmed that while universities are to remain open, they should further stagger the start of in person teaching and deliver teaching and learning online – until at least 8 March 2021 – except for a small number of critical courses. For Hull York Medical School these critical courses include MB BS Medicine and MSc Physician Associate Studies. Students on these courses are advised to return to in person teaching as planned. 

For students on programmes not included in the list of critical courses, teaching will be delivered online and we will confirm details of when in person teaching will resume in due course. 

We are proactively monitoring Government guidance and will continue to adapt our delivery in line with this. If you have any questions, please contact your PBL Tutor/Personal Supervisor or the Programme Delivery Team.

We are working closely with our NHS Trust and primary care placement providers who are committed to supporting students while on clinical placement. Students should continue to attend their clinical placement sessions as planned and adhere to infection prevention and control guidance at their individual placement sites.

As the coronavirus situation continues to evolve, there may be times when we need to adjust the schedule of clinical teaching sessions at short notice. Should there be any change to planned clinical teaching sessions we will notify students as quickly as possible. 

Medicine and PA students can continue to travel to and from their clinical placements. However, we ask that students consider the risk of travelling from their home/term time accommodation to their placement site where NHS accommodation is available to them, and adhere to Government guidance on safe travel.

Government guidance permits travel for the purposes of education so students can continue to commute to University, considering government guidance on safe travel.

However, you should not travel if you have been told to self-isolate because you have received a positive Covid-19 test result or have been in contact with someone who has; or if you experience Covid-19 symptoms. You can find out more about symptoms and when to self-isolate on our Governent guidance page.

Specialist research facilities at Hull and York remain open for research activities. Our universities have existing risk assessment protocols in place which have been adjusted to account for Covid-19 risks. Postgraduate research students should work closely with their research supervisor who will advise if any adjustment is needed to individual research plans.

We together with our Universities have undertaken comprehensive risk assessments for all of our on-campus activity. This activity will be reviewed in line with any new Covid-19 health and safety guidance. Students should look out for communications from the School and their University which will include information about the latest health and safety guidance as it arises, as well as guidance on keeping ourselves and members of our community safe. 

We recognise that members of our community might have underlying health conditions which put them at increased risk of Covid-19 and may mean they are unable to attend campus during national restrictions.  We are committed to supporting students to continue their studies. If you have any concerns, please contact the Student Support Team at studentsupport@hyms.ac.uk   

Our Universities have clear guidance on face coverings, which should be worn by all staff and students in all indoor learning environments. You can read the full guidance on the University of Hull and University of York websites.

Students on clinical placement should adhere to infection prevention and control guidance at their individual placement site which will include guidance on face coverings and other preventative measures and should direct any queries to their local Student Liaison Team.

You must self-isolate if you:

• have any Covid-19 symptoms (a high temperature, a new or continuous cough, loss of or change to your sense of taste or smell)
• have tested positive for Covid-19 (you can book a test through the NHS COVID-19 app, or the Government website or by telephoning 119)
• Share a household with someone who has symptoms or who has tested positive
• are contacted and asked to do so either by the Medical School or your University or NHS Test and Trace
• have travelled to the UK from a non-exempt country.

You must not come to campus or your clinical placement location and you should report to the Medical School and University that you are self-isolating.

If you are self-isolating for any of the reasons outlined above, you should notify us by completing the University COVID-19 self-isolation form for University of Hull or University of York.

University of Hull self-isolation form

University of York student self-isolation form

Students should also notify their programme administrator and, where relevant, their PBL Tutor/Academic Supervisor.

Medicine students in Phase II or III of their programme who are on full time clinical placement must also inform their Student Liaison Team at their clinical placement site.

All Undergraduate (UG) and Postgraduate taught (PGT) students who are unwell and not able to attend teaching sessions (including online) should also complete an illness Absence Form and email to absence@hyms.ac.uk (UG) or your programme administrator (PGT)

Anyone self-isolating should also follow Government guidance for self-isolation.

For the academic year 2020/21 teaching will be via blended delivery. This will comprise – online synchronous (those sessions where students are engaged in learning at the same time) and asynchronous (not real time) learning activities, face-to-face activity on campus, practical teaching sessions in our specialist facilities and a supportive and engaging learning environment, complemented by online delivery of our lectures.

As Government guidance changes, we will continue to adapt our delivery plans accordingly.

We will update students as to any change to their existing teaching sessions via Blackboard.

We are committed to providing students with a high-quality teaching and learning experience. We are already planning for next term which will commence on the date previously publicised and planned. You can view term dates here.

As the coronavirus situation continues to evolve, we are planning to continue our blended learning approach, with lectures taking place online, and as much other teaching and learning taking place face to face where possible. We will continue to review this in line with Government guidance.

We will provide an update to students as to the specific delivery plans for their individual programme as soon as we can.

At Hull York Medical School we use a range of tools to support your learning. From Microsoft office, to Blackboard, and Open Campus. For further information including FAQs and how to access support visit the How To website.

Our University library services continue to be available to students, with updated support in place for online and remote learning.

For further information about the services available, opening hours please visit their websites below.

University of Hull Library Services

University of York Library Services