We have put in place comprehensive safety measures, in accordance with government guidelines, to ensure the safety and wellbeing of our students and staff while on campus. These measures include temperature checking on entrance to campus, enhanced cleaning of communal areas, one way systems and separate entry and exits, non-contact swipes pads on exits, and numerous hand sanitiser stations.

Please take a look at the following resources which details the safety measure that have been put in place, along with other information and guidance: 

• A safety measures video
• Infographic highlighting safety measures
• Rules to follow whilst on campus
• Welcome back to campus guidance
• Key contacts for students
• Temperature screening advice

Our university libraries will be open, click here for information on Library services. 

We also have some takeaway catering services available.

Our Student Support services offer a high level of specialist support, which will be tailored to reflect the current circumstances and to meet your needs.

You can email the teams directly, or speak to the SID team on 0300 300 0042 or sid@beds.ac.uk who can get you in touch with right support team for your needs.

You can contact our teams directly on the following emails and you can arrange a telephone appointment if you want to have a chat about support:

returntocampus@beds.ac.uk – dedicated Advisors to support you with a Student Care Plan if you are self-isolating (with symptoms or after testing positive for coronavirus)

student.engagement@beds.ac.uk – complex issues, withdrawals and interruptions

mitigation@beds.ac.uk – extensions on assessment deadlines 

studentmoney@beds.ac.uk – financial difficulties and budgeting advice

mentalhealth@beds.ac.uk – new or on-going mental health support

counselling@beds.ac.uk – professional one-to-one counselling support

chaplaincy@beds.ac.uk – pastoral and emotional support

disability@beds.ac.uk – support with a range of disabilities

If you have any concerns about your health you should contact the free NHS 111 telephone helpline. If you are unable to get through on the phone to NHS 111 you can find specific advice at NHS - check your symptoms.

You are also still able to access Beds SU’s Be Supported advisors, who offer professional and independent support to students. Their team is available via telephone appointment and email. To get in touch with the team, please email: be.supported@beds.ac.uk 

Costa Coffee is open at our Bedford and Luton campuses. You can grab a drink or some food if you're working on campus.

Luton

Costa Coffee  

Open 8am to 2:30pm, Monday to Friday.

Serving hot beverages, breakfast rolls, sandwiches and paninis, confectionery, cold beverages and smoothies.

Bedford

Costa Coffee 

Serving hot beverages and snacks. 

Face coverings will be required when purchasing food, unless you are exempt. 

Please click here for our dedicated webpage with key information for international students. 

Our International Office will be open to provide dedicated support to our international and EU students.

Get in touch, please click here for contact details of the International Office. 

We will not tolerate hate crime of any kind.

If you have witnessed or experienced hostility or violence that is motivated by hostility or prejudice towards a person due to a particular characteristic, for example disability, race or ethnicity, religion or belief, sexual orientation, transgender identity or an alternative sub-culture hate crime, please report this via supportandreport@beds.ac.uk.  

Concerns will be viewed by senior management at the University and your concerns will be fed in to the appropriate team to respond to you. The University also offers specialist support for you and for anyone you know who may have been affected. As well as offering support, our advisors have been trained to offer support for victims with reporting an incident or crime to police and other relevant external agencies. Find out more about Support and Report at the University.

We understand this is an uncertain time and that’s why now more than ever it’s important to us that you to feel comfortable and supported when you choose to live with us. We know that plans can change too. That’s why we’ve introduced a range of measures to give you peace of mind and to ensure you feel as safe as possible during your stay.

Enhanced cleaning and hygiene

An enhanced cleaning regime has been introduced, including regular cleaning of all communal high touch points such as handrails, door handles and push buttons to ensure that we maintain hygiene within our villages.

Hand sanitiser stations are being installed at entry and exit points.

Social distancing measures

Our staff will ensure that they work in accordance with the social distancing guidelines.

The number of people allowed in lifts, our laundries and communal spaces at any one time will be restricted and there will be a one-way system throughout our villages in line with government guidance.

We are requesting all of our residents to follow the government guidance on staying alert and safe (social distancing) here.

Dedicated support if you need to self-isolate 24/7 on site support

Our friendly village teams work around the clock, every day of the year, to ensure you always have someone to speak to should you need our help or support.

We have conducted a full and in-depth risk assessment for all aspects of our accommodation and taken the necessary steps to ensure our residents and staff remain safe. New residents will move into shared flats, following the government guidance on moving house and forming new households with their new flatmates.

Social and communal spaces across these properties such as gyms, will carefully reopen, subject to the relevant government guidance.

The number of visitors allowed on site at any one time will be reduced to ensure the safety of our staff and residents. Visitors may be subject to screening and should wear PPE where necessary.

A thorough risk assessment has been carried out to ensure our properties owned by our approved partners comply with government guidance.

We’ve introduced a range of measures to give our students peace of mind about residing in our accommodation. These measures have been assessed as COVID19 compliant by external health and safety consultants. They include:

• Enhanced cleaning and hygiene practices including all communal high touch points such as handrails and door handles, and the placement of hand sanitisers around the premises
• Social distancing in place and signage throughout including signage illustrating two metre distances, two people maximum in lifts, and modifications to our reception areas including the installation of protective screens
• Staff available 24/7 and dedicated support for residents who need to self-isolate
• Students who need to self-isolate for two weeks in their accommodation before starting their studies are able to check in early
• Virtual tours and orientation videos for new residents to limit physical interactions

These measures will continue to be reviewed in accordance with future government guidance.