Coronavirus Update

12 March 2020

Coronavirus (Covid-19) update: Monday, 30 March

As a precautionary measure the University has taken the decision to postpone the summer 2020 graduation ceremonies.

The ceremonies have been rescheduled for December 2020 when winter graduation will be extended into a two-week celebration. 

Tuesday, 17 March

In the interests of the health and wellbeing of its student, staff and stakeholder community the University of Central Lancashire (UCLan) has today announced an important update in its strategy to help reduce the potential spread of the coronavirus (Covid-19) while ensuring students’ learning is not disrupted as a result of the unprecedented changes now being experiencing.  

As a result of the growing number of cases in the UK the University has taken the following decisions:

  • From Thursday, 19 March face-to-face classroom teaching of all forms at the Preston, Burnley and Westlakes campuses will end.
  • Teaching at all UK campuses will move to online delivery until the University finishes the term for Easter on Friday 3 April.
  • The majority of University staff in academic and professional services to work remotely where possible until further notice.
  • Students are now free to return home with UCLan encouraging international students to think about travelling home before borders close.
  • University halls will stay open through the campus closure, and any students who need to self-isolate will be provided with food and wellbeing support. 
  • The University’s Wellbeing Team will provide a remote support service for students, both online and via telephone.
  • From Wednesday 18 March any meetings or visits that involve external people coming onto campus are also being cancelled.

The University would like to thank its student, staff and stakeholder community for its continued patience and professionalism in these unprecedented and challenging times.

Our priority is to ensure the continuation of teaching and learning for our student community, albeit in a different way.

UCLan Vice-Chancellor, Professor Graham Baldwin, said: “Our priority is to ensure the wellbeing of all our colleagues, students and partners with regard to the spread of the coronavirus within our communities. We have some fantastic technology at our disposal and we will do everything we can to ensure students are not disadvantaged in their studies with tuition and completion of courses taking place as planned.

“We are also asking visitors not to come on site but to make use of remote technologies where possible.

 “These decisions have not been taken lightly and while our campuses remain open we want to ensure the safety of all colleagues, students and anybody who engages with the University. We will keep everyone informed of new developments as this unprecedented situation evolves.”

Suntosh Kaur, President of the UCLan Students’ Union added: “Student welfare and safety are our chief concern, we’re working closely with the University through the roll-out of these measures to ensure students receive the necessary support across their learning and teaching. I commend the University’s decision to move quickly to plan and implement actions to reduce the impact of this virus.”

Further information

We are continuing to monitor this situation carefully and will update this page further should the advice change.

UCLan staff should visit the intranet for more specific University advice and students please visit the Student Support news page and regularly check for emails from UCLan.

For more information visit:
Public Health England
Foreign and Commonwealth Office