UNIVERSITY NEWS LAST UPDATED : 08 JANUARY 2021
Birmingham City University has announced it will waive accommodation fees for all students unable to return to its managed halls due to the latest nationwide coronavirus restrictions.
The University will not charge rent for students unable to use rooms at its University Locks accommodation for the duration of the current period of lockdown, which was introduced earlier this week.
Students who have already returned to their rooms or remained in the halls over Christmas will be given a discount of £50 per week to cover the period of restrictions.
The changes are being introduced for the initial period of lockdown announced by the government (4 January to 14 February), but will be extended to cover any extension to the current restrictions. BCU is also in dialogue with private accommodation partners about any support they are able to offer to students.
Professor Philip Plowden, Vice-Chancellor at Birmingham City University, said: “The latest government guidelines have placed limitations on how people are able to travel and how university study is carried out, which clearly is going to have an impact on our student community.
“We also understand that for those who have already returned to campus, or remained with us over the Christmas break, their experience is going to be different and this is why we are also offering a reduction in rent for all in this situation."
In line with the latest guidelines, Birmingham City University has moved all teaching online, with a small number of exceptions for those on practical healthcare, teaching and social work courses.