Your course 2020/21
Return to studies 2021
Find out how to safely return to your studies in 2021.
Teaching and learning
Find out about return to teaching in 2021.
Exams and assessments
Find out more about assessment arrangements for 2021 and our package of mitigations to support your assessments.
Academic support
To help you get the most out of your teaching, we have a range of academic support available.
Equipment and IT support for online learning
As much of our teaching is online, you need access to a computer and internet connectivity to fully engage in your studies.
Although there are computers available in study spaces across campus, due to occupancy restrictions needed to keep you safe, you are unlikely to be able to access these whenever you need them.
We recommend you bring your own computer such as a laptop. You also need internet connectivity from your accommodation or usual place of study. Wifi connectivity is provided automatically in University accommodation.
We provide access to the software you need for online learning and support with how to use it. Find out what IT support and guidance is available.
If you need help with the costs of IT equipment or connectivity find out what financial support is available.
Problems accessing online teaching and resources
We are aware that some students will have issues with connectivity and technology, and that online teaching provides different challenges for different people.
If you cannot take part in teaching activities, let your school office know. You must tell them once in any 7-day period.
If you are struggling to access online resources, contact your school office for support. They will direct you to suitable technical support or put alternative arrangements in place.
If you have questions about using assistive software, contact Disability Services.
If you are unable to come to Bristol
If you need to study online only, complete the Location of study form to tell us so we can support you in the right way.
What your course will look like
Content of course
The content of most courses will not change significantly. We will only make changes if we cannot deliver content in a blended way. If your course content changes significantly, we will let you know what is changing.
We are working with professional bodies to ensure accreditation is not impacted on our professional courses.
Intended awards (eg. BA, MSc, BEng, MEng) will not change - though in a few cases the precise title may be amended if a placement component is no longer available.
Length of course
The length of most courses will not change.
Term dates
Find out our term dates for 2020/21.
The academic dates may vary for some programmes of study, in particular postgraduate or professional programmes. You can view all non-standard start dates.
Cost of course
The cost of courses will not change.
Suspending your studies
Transcripts
Your transcript is a record of the unit marks you achieved and your award. It is not intended to provide a narrative of how your award was classified, or a commentary on your particular circumstances.
What a transcript does and doesn't include
Transcripts include:
- The units which have been taken in each year of study
- The overall marks for each unit, together with a mark signal indicating whether a unit was passed or failed, and whether credit has been awarded
- The total number of credits gained in each unit taken and in each year of study
- The degree awarded, degree classification and date of award (where applicable)
- A glossary to explain any mark signals which appear on the transcript
Transcripts don't include:
- Year marks
- Programme or safety net* marks
- Which units or assessments were included in the safety net*
- whether your degree was classified using your programme or safety net* marks
- an explanation of how every award has been made. There is a risk in trying to do so, that your individual circumstances may be misrepresented or misinterpreted.
- What allowance was made for any extenuating circumstances
Any context can be provided in a reference if appropriate.
*Safety net: only applies to students studying in 2019/20 whose marks counted towards their degree classification.
Transcripts for students studying in 2019/20
Where assessment was withdrawn in 2019/20 due to coronavirus, your transcript will show a mark of zero, together with a signal to show that credit was awarded.
If you have not been able to complete all of the assessment for a unit, but the board of examiners considered that you had demonstrated that you had met the intended learning outcomes, your transcript may show a zero and a signal to indicate that you had passed the unit, notwithstanding your circumstances.
These zeroes indicate the absence of a mark, rather than a true zero.
Mark signals
Find out about Mark signals on your assessment units and transcripts (PDF, 189kB) which you may see alongside your assessment and unit marks and what they mean.
Libraries and study spaces
These following locations are offering a limited service for those in essential need.
| Library and study space | Days open | Opening times |
|---|---|---|
| Arts and Social Sciences Library | 7 days | 9 am to 5.30pm |
| Veterinary Sciences Library | Monday to Friday | 10 am to 5 pm |
| Beacon House Study Centre | Monday to Friday | 8.45 am to 8.30 pm |
You can now access printed materials that are not available in electronic format with the our Library Click and Collect and Postal Loan Service.
Follow the Library's Twitter channel and find out about library services during the January lockdown.
Further information
We have made every effort to ensure all details are correct.
However, since this information is subject to change, undergraduate and postgraduate taught students are advised to check the University's Unit and Programmes Catalogue for the latest course updates and these advice pages for all other updates. Postgraduate research students need to contact their research supervisor.
Unit teaching and assessment details, and other information published here, is indicative and may be altered due to changes imposed due to the current coronavirus.
Digital Induction
Try a range of activities and resources to get you ready to start your studies.