Leeds Beckett becomes first UK uni to introduce safety net policy

Students are also asked not to return to campus until further notice


Leeds Beckett has become the first university in the UK to introduce “safety net” measures for all students.

The decision has been made following concerns expressed by students about the detrimental effect of the coronavirus pandemic on their studies.

In an email sent to all students, Vice-Chancellor Peter Slee wrote: “We also want to confirm that from today, we are reintroducing the changes to the University Academic Regulations that we approved during the first wave of the pandemic.

“This ‘safety net’ means, in summary, that undergraduate students will progress or achieve an award, based on your best 60 credits (with equivalents for taught postgraduates) and that ‘Category A’ extenuation will automatically apply to all students without the need for you to apply for mitigation.”

The same email asked students to remain where they have been staying over the Christmas break, to continue their studies and to not return to campus unless they are studying degrees relating to Health, Education or Social Work which demand on-campus learning.

An update as to when students will be allowed to return to campus will be provided in mid-February when the Government review their national guidance.

Students who are allowed to return to campus shouldn’t do so before receiving two negative Covid-19 test results, the email adds.

Libraries and study spaces remain open for those legally allowed to access campus.

Students at the University of Leeds have launched a petition to “save our grades,” but no action has been taken by the uni as yet.

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