Cambridge becomes first university in the world to axe ALL face-to-face lectures until autumn 2021 due to ‘rigid social distancing’
- University said ‘there will be no face-to-face lectures during next academic year’
- Announcement comes after leaked internal email obtained by student paper
- It comes after Office for Students said that varsity bosses had to give clarity
- Many institutions around the world have signalled delays until 2021, but Cambridge has gone much further in deciding to go online for the entire year
Cambridge University has become the first university in the world to axe all face-to-face lectures until summer 2021 due to ‘rigid social distancing.’
Britain’s second oldest university said that because social distancing appeared to be likely to continue for a long time, ‘there will be no face-to-face lectures during the next academic year.’
The institution, which prides itself on academic rigour, did not say how it would continue to maintain the highest standards with students kept at range.
Other universities around the world have said they’ll stick with online classes until January 2021, or delay the start of the the academic year, but Cambridge appears to be the first to take the bold step into virtual teaching for the whole year.
A spokesman for Cambridge told the MailOnline: ‘Lectures will continue to be made available online and it may be possible to host smaller teaching groups in person, as long as this conforms to social distancing requirements.
Cyclists and pedestrians move along Trinity Street past St Johns College, University of Cambridge (file photo from 2014)
‘This decision has been taken now to facilitate planning, but as ever, will be reviewed should there be changes to official advice on coronavirus.’
It comes after the Office for Students said university chiefs had to give students ‘absolute clarity’ about what their future ‘campus experience’ would be.
The University is constantly adapting to changing advice as it emerges during this pandemic. Given that it is likely that social distancing will continue to be required, the University has decided there will be no face-to-face lectures during the next academic year.
Universities are still able to charge full fees while offering online courses.
Cambridge is the first to take such a dramatic step, although the University of Manchester had announced last week it would be going online for at least the first (autumn) semester.
Almost all campuses have been closed since April, offering classes online, and graduating students have been notified there will be no traditional ceremonies.
In a leaked email obtained by Cambridge’s Varsity newspaper, Head of Education Services, Alice Benton wrote to Senior Tutors on Tuesday to inform them of the decision.
Ms Benton wrote that ‘rigid social distancing’ was ‘highly likely’ throughout the next two semesters.
Lectures will be live streamed and will also be recorded and uploaded for students to view in their own time.
The institution, which prides itself on academic rigour, did not say how it would continue to maintain the highest standards with students kept at range (file photo)
The email adds that preparations are underway to ensure ‘the delivery of lectures online will be of the best possible quality.’
It also adds that by keeping the lecture theatres free, departments will be able to use them for teaching smaller groups and allowing for ample social distancing.
Ms Benton’s email added that the decisions have been made ‘on the understanding that it may be possible to roll back from this position should social distancing measures be lifted and large gatherings permitted later in the academic year.’